AFTER a discussion on its political committee last week, the Communist Party of Great Britain authorised Reuben Falber, the assistant general secretary, to sign the international appeal for the release of the arrested Charter leaders.
TEN Fighters for civil liberties are facing trial As we go to press members of Charter 77 go on trial in the Prague District Court.
Even before the trial is held it is condemned to failure. It was a brutal enough act of violence to virtually all currents international labour movement. But not anywhere near sweeping enough to break of the civil rights movement.
Following the arrest of the ten prayers espersons immediately came forward to replace Open letter The work of editing the Charter Information Bulletin, done by Petr Uhl, continued. Twelve new activists came forward to join the Committee Defend Prosecuted Persons continue the work of the ten.
231 people sent an open letter to the: regime to demand the release of the ten, and public letters were sent towns Bohemia, like Liberec and Turnov.
The journal Quadrangle formerly edited by Jiri Dienstbier — continues to function.
As is kind or work was ine very reason the 10 comrades were arrested, strict application of the law would require the immediate arrest of at least another two dozen people: But so far the regime has been content to sharpen the Charges accused.
All the accused now face betweer three and ten years in jail if convicted. Many of the younger Charter activists have been threatened with imprisonment for carrying on the work.
But threats like this don't bite very deep when used against people who have long since dedicated their lives to the struggle end bureaucratic violence.
Take, for instance, Jan Bednar. He is a son of Otka Bednarova, one of student at the Economics High School Until last year, in. Prague. Like his brother, Jan signed the Charter. He was then thrown out of the official YOELI organisation, and college.
Next, Jan found a job as a photographic worker famous Jewish cemetery. police caught up with him, and he was thrown out of work.
Today he is a night watchman. The job could bring in less than £20 a week, an income poverty line.
Jan's mother Slovakia's journalist.
pension political reasons. makes in the prospect of joining prison?
spokespersons previously Unjustly (VONS), North Vaclav Havel arbitrary mother and out of Prague's But the level below the was once Czecholeading TV She is now a chronically sick cleaning woman who faces many years in jail. She has already had her withdrawn for Peace the Stalinist bureaucracy think that it can make Jan Bednar abandon his civil rights activities by threatening him with the STOLE in The crackdown in Czechoslovakia has brought unprecedented protests Ladislav Lis LABOUR FOCUS SON Fastern Europe and the USSR ROMANIAN POLICE from the British labour movement.
The international appeal launched in this country by the journal Labour Focus on Eastern Europe is supported by such bodies as the Bertrand Russell Foundation, the Europe Solidarity Campaign and the Committee to Defend Czechoslovak Socialists.
Over 100 Labour MPs and more than 100 delegates to the Transport Workers Union conference signed the appeal. The Labour Party national executive committee (NEC) has just recently officially backed it. Otka Ber liri Dier LABOUR FOCUS ON EASTERN EUROPE A Socialist Defence Bulletin Eastern Europe and the USSR locuments ** List of Name Kitson, Frank Allaun and Rene Short well known for attitude towards many of the policies of the soviet leadership — have added their names.
A delegation from Party NEC will present the appeal to the Czech embassy this week.
The executive backing the Charter 77 Defence Fund to help financially assist the families victims of the Labour Party Eastern backed the provision of legal aid to the arrested Chartists, the Society of Labour Lawyers to help with their defence.
resolution proposed by Eric Heffer, a have leader of the Tribune grouping. They were passed unanimously.
Local Labour Parties, Councils, and trade union branches Petr Uhi All correspondence to:
on Europe, Members of Parliament like Alex Czechoslovak their friendly Colchester the Labour union, NUPE. officially The stepped sentences. funds In another unprecedented move, executive has encouraging (over £2).
All these proposals are part of a Honorary Trades Vaclay Benda LABOUR FOCUS ON EASTERN EUROPE Bottom Flat, 116 Cazenove Rd., London N.16.
Residents of Canada and the USA interested in more information about Eastern Europe, USSR and solidarity campaigns are urged to write to our North American representatives: Committee in Defense of Soviet Political Prisoners, P.O. Box 6574, Station 'C', Edmonton, Alberta TSB 4M4, Canada.
SUB RATES: Annual rates: UK, £3:50; All institutions, £5.50;
surface 40 French francs or French francs. Outside Europe, surface $10, airmail $15.
have sent resolutions of protest to the Embassy. The latest resolutions have CONT the and District Trades Council, the Prestwich Labour Party, the York and District Trades Council, and the Manchester local government district committee of the public sector campaign will be up after • the trial preparation for an appeal against the Today, the collection of has become very urgent.
Defendants in Czechoslovakia have no right to legal aid. For each action a The accused also have to pay for board and lodging in prison. This wil come to many thousands of pounds.
Donations to: Reg Race, MP Treasurer, Charter Defence Fund, House of Commons / Westminster, London SW1.
Jiri Nemek Vaclay Maly equivalent, airmail 46 ‚ Socialist Challenge 2'Augusı 1979
He was shaken, but not defeated.
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LABOUR FOCUS EASTERN EUROPE has been officially backed by the Labour Party's NEC.
EASTERN The appeal has already been signed by more than 100 Labour MPs and
HOLDING THOU GypS OF - TRADE IT
defence lawyer takes, however small, the defendant must pay 36 crowns