Prague, Dec 3 (CTK) – The Advent Appeal, which the Nation´s Memory association published on Thursday, warns of hatred, aggression and fascistoid tendencies in part of Czech society and points to the abuse of fears of the migrant crisis, the situation in Russia and the division of Czech society.
Almost 3000 people have signed the appeal, including a number of famous personalities. Its signatories are Czechoslovak WWII veterans, resistance fighters, Holocaust survivors and former political prisoners and dissidents, such as Catholic priest Tomas Halik, writer Jiri Stransky, sociologist Jirina Siklova and Cardinal Miloslav Vlk.
The appeal is to warn of repeating what the Czech nation experienced in the 20th century and of trivialising the values for which it suffered and fought in the past.
The circumstances as well as “false leaders” are dividing society into two opposite camps now, the appeal´s authors say.
They want to address mainly the young generation that has no experience with the fight for freedom.
“We are observing with concern the hatred, aggression and fascistoid tendencies in a quite large part of society. We are disgusted with the mob character of those who succumb to furious nationalism, chant slogans such as The Czech Lands to Czechs and Death to Collaborators and carry gallows above their head as a symbol of revenge. These people call themselves patriots,” the appeal says.
It refers to an anti-migration demonstration in Prague where some participants carried dummy gallows for “traitors” to express criticism of the government.
The appeal´s authors say they see the genuine patriotism in the humanistic tradition of the first Czechoslovak president, T. G. Masaryk (1918-35), and in respect for democracy and freedom that the nation fought out in both world wars and during the communist totalitarian regime.
They warn of populism and intolerance and call on politicians not to isolate the Czech Republic, but to seek efficient solutions to the refugee crisis and face the threats of terrorist attacks.
