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Jiří Hájek (Czech pronunciation: [ˈjɪr̝iː ˈɦaːjɛk]; 6 June 1913 in Krhanice near Benešov – 22 October 1993 in Prague) was a Czech politician and diplomat. Together with Václav Havel, Zdeněk Mlynář, and Pavel Kohout, Hájek was one of the founding members and architects of Charter 77.
Professor Jiří Hájek | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Minister of Foreign Affairs of Czechoslovakia | |
| In office 8 April 1968 – 19 September 1968 | |
| Preceded by | Václav David |
| Succeeded by | Oldřich Černík (acting) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 6 May 1913 Krhanice, Benešov, Austro-Hungarian Empire |
| Died | 22 October 1993 (aged 80) Prague, Czech Republic |
| Political party | Communist Party of Czechoslovakia |
| Profession | Lawyer, diplomat, political scientist |
| Awards | Charles University |
Early political career
editHájek studied and worked as a lawyer in the Charles University. From a young age he was a member of the Czechoslovak Social Democratic Party. During World War II Hájek was imprisoned (1939–1945). After the war he became a member of parliament for the Czechoslovak Social Democratic Party (1945–1948) and probably also a secret member of the Communist Party (code name E-22). During 1948 – 1969 he was a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia, during 1950 – 1953 he was the rector of the University of Economics.
Diplomacy
editFrom 1955 Hájek worked in diplomacy: in 1955–1958 as an ambassador in Britain, in 1958–1962 as a deputy of the minister of foreign affairs, and in 1962–1965 he represented Czechoslovakia in United Nations. Between 1965 and 1968 he was the minister of education. From April to September 1968, he served as the minister of foreign affairs in Dubček's government. After the Soviet Union army took control over Czechoslovakia (21 August 1968) he protested against this in a speech at the United Nations (where he used the word occupation) – this caused his dismissal from high offices and even from the communist party (1970).
Charter 77
editUntil 1973 Hájek worked in the Historical Institute of Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences.
Together with Václav Havel, Zdeněk Mlynář, and Pavel Kohout, Hájek was one of the founding members and architects of Charter 77.
Jiří Hájek emerged as one of three leading spokesmen of Charter 77, thus becoming the target of police interrogations and threats. He was a strong defender of this uncompromising document, which voiced the principles of universal human rights. In 1987, Hájek was awarded the first ever Professor Thorolf Rafto Memorial Prize.
After the fall of socialism in Czechoslovakia (1989) Hájek served as an advisor of Alexander Dubček (1990–1992) but was unable to obtain significant political influence.
Death
editHe died of an unspecified cancer on 22 October 1993.[1]
External links
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References
edit- ^ Pace, Eric (25 October 1993). "Jiri Hajek, 80, Dies; Human Rights Aide And Czech Official". The New York Times. Retrieved 12 October 2018.