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Witness History: Charter 77

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Charter 77

04/01/2017 GMT

BBC World Service - Witness History, Charter 77

In January 1977 an opposition movement began in Soviet-era Czechoslovakia.

In January 1977 more than 200 writers and intellectuals signed a petition calling for human rights in Soviet-era Czechoslovakia.  Many of those who signed it were then arrested.

In January 1977  an opposition movement began in Czechoslovakia with a call for human rights. More than 200 writers and intellectuals signed the original Charter - many of them were then arrested.  One of the leaders of the movement was Vaclav Havel, the playwright who went on to become President after the fall of communism.  Louise Hidalgo has spoken to Martin Palouš who was one of the original signatories.

Photo: Vaclav Havel talking about Charter 77 in 1978. Credit: Getty Images.

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