Jiří Hájek
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Jiří Hájek (July 6, 1913, Krhanice near Benešov - October 22, 1993, Prague) was Czechoslovakian politician and diplomat.
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[edit] Early political career
Hájek studied and worked as lawyer. Since young age he was member of Czechoslovak social democratic party. During World War II Hájek got inprisoned (1939 - 1945). After war he became member of parliament for social democracy (1945 - 1948) and likely also secret member of communist party (code name E-22). During 1948 - 1969 he was member of Central Committee of Communist Party of Czechoslovakia, during 1950 - 1953 he was rector of the University of Economics.
[edit] Diplomacy
Since 1955 Hájek worked in diplomacy: during 1955 - 1958 as ambassador in Britain, during 1958 - 1962 as deputy of minister of foreign affairs, during 1962 - 1965 he represended Czechoslovakia in United Nations. During 1965 - 1968 he was minister of education. From April to September 1968, he served as minister of foreign affairs in Dubček's government. After Soviet Union army took control over Czechoslovakia (August 21, 1968) he protested against this in a speech at United Nations (where he used the word occupation) - this caused his dismissal from high offices and even from communist party (1970).
[edit] Charta 77
Until 1973 Hájek worked in 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 Charta 77.
Jiří Hájek emerged as one of three leading spokesmen of Charta 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 fall of socialims in Czechoslovakia (1989) Hájek served as advisor of Alexander Dubček (1990 - 1992) but was unable to obtain significant political influence.
