Havel, Dalai Lama sign declaration in support of dissidents

Prague, Dec 12 (CTK) - Six personalities, including former president Vaclav Havel and Tibetan Dalai Lama, signed in Prague an appeal to the international community asking it to support dissidents across the world, Dalai Lama told journalists at the close of his three-day visit to Prague yesterday.

He, Havel, Iranian Nobel Peace Prize winner Shirin Ebadi, leading Chinese dissident Yang Jianli, French philosopher Stephane Hessel and former French foreign minister Bernard Kouchner signed the declaration during the Prague conference on democracy in Asia on Sunday.

Dalai Lama said he was concerned about ailing Havel. He has offered Tibetan medicine to him.

The declaration said the world recently focused on Asia's economy, but not, unfortunately, on the state of human rights, among others in China, North Korea, Iran and Syria. It also mentions the developments in Burma.

The drafters of the appeal said the state of human rights was stagnating or worsening.

"Growing pragmatic silence fuelled by economic interests of some rich western countries is therefore a source of great concern for us," they wrote in the declaration.

An opener, free China would be of vital importance for Asia and the whole world, they added.

"China needs human rights, democracy and the rule of law because these values are the foundation of a free and dynamic society," the declaration says.

"We are aware that the world will not change overnight by talking about human rights and democracy at conferences nor will it result in the immediate release of all prisoners of conscience...However, there are always ways and possibilities to make clear to the oppressed and persecuted that the world has not forgotten them and cares about their plight," the declaration says.

Dalai Lama said he felt a moral responsibility to support the freedom of people, human rights and related things.

He said it was good that an open discussion on human rights was underway within the Forum 2000 annual Prague conference of world statesmen and thinkers initiated by Havel.

Oldrich Cerny, executive director of the conference, said the joint declaration was the aim of this year's meeting.

"This is double needed at the time when the notion of human rights starts to be eroded, while economic interests have started to assume its place," Cerny said.

The Dalai Lama was invited to the Czech Republic by Havel. His three-day stay is organised by the Forum 2000 foundation.

Dalai Lama said he was concerned about his long-standing friend Havel.

Havel, 75, suffers from serious health problems and due to trouble with his breathing apparatus he spends most of his time outside Prague.

Dalai Lama said since he was seriously concerned about Havel's health he recommended to him some Tibetan medicine.

He said he had told Havel he was now a Tibetan doctor of his.