News story
PM statement on the death of Vaclav Havel
"Havel devoted his life to the cause of human freedom."
The Prime Minister has made a statement on the death of Vaclav Havel.
Mr Cameron said:
I am deeply saddened at the death of Vaclav Havel.
Havel devoted his life to the cause of human freedom. For years, Communism tried to crush him, and to extinguish his voice. But Havel, the playwright and the dissident, could not be silenced.
No one of my generation will ever forget those powerful scenes from Wenceslas Square 2 decades ago. Havel led the Czech people out of tyranny. And he helped bring freedom and democracy to our entire continent.
Europe owes Vaclav Havel a profound debt. Today his voice has fallen silent. But his example and the cause to which he devoted his life will live on.
Published 18 December 2011