TRENCIN, Slovakia—Jeremy Irons criticized action taken by the Slovak police against human rights activists during the visit of General Secretary of the Communist Party Hu on Thursday, June 18.
About one hour before Hu Jintao arrived in Slovakia last Thursday, human rights activists gathered in front of the Presidential Palace to unfold banners and peacefully appeal for freedom in China.
The pro-communists members of the Chinese delegation started to assault the demonstrators while the Slovak police watched passively and refused to intervene. The police even arrested six demonstrators.
It took multiple calls from Slovak citizens before the police would protect the peaceful demonstrators.
The British actor visited the Art Film Fest, one of the most reputable film festivals in Slovakia. He received the Actor’s Mission Award for his accomplishments. On Saturday Trencianske Teplice city fixed a bronze plaque with his name on the Bridge of Fame.
Jeremy Irons also attended the screening of the American documentary “The Power of the Powerless,” which he himself narrated. The film investigates why today many Czechs don’t want their communist past dug up. It has been 20 years since the Velvet Revolution, which led to a peaceful overthrow of the former Czechoslovakia’s communist regime.
Mr. Irons took part in the discussion after the movie and criticized the incidents that happened in front of the Presidential palace in Bratislava.
“It’s sad that on Thursday Slovak police beat up those demonstrating against human rights violations in China. It seems like nothing has changed since then,” implying that even after 20 years since the fall of Socialism in Czechoslovakia, communist thinking and repression is still at work.
In Mr. Iron’s opinion, documentaries like “The Power of the Powerless” are important reminders of the totalitarian regime.
“History has shown that societies, which fail to address past injustices are tragically destined to repeat the same mistakes. Especially primed for decline seem to be those where freedom is taken for granted.”
—Cory Taylor, Director of “The Power of the Powerless”
