12-13-06, 10:45 p.m.
'Have you learnt nothing from your own history? You're doing what Hitler did - he began by banning the Communists', RMT rail union general secretary Bob Crow told Czech embassy officials in London yesterday.
He was part of a deputation protesting against the decision of the Interior Ministry in Prague to dissolve the Czech Communist Youth Union (KSM) because it advocates public ownership of the means of production.
'If that law operated in Britain, trade unions would presumably be outlawed for demanding public ownership of the railway industry', said Gary Fabian, senior policy advisor of train drivers union ASLEF.
The deputation handed in a letter for the Czech ambassador condemning the ban on the KSM as a 'gross violation of the freedoms of assembly, association and advocacy in the non-violent pursuit of legitimate political objectives'. Challenged by Communist Party of Britain general secretary Robert Griffiths to confirm that youth organisations aligned with the Christian Democrat and Social Democratic parties in the Czech Republic were still free to function, the embassy's Third Secretary declined to comment.
The deputation's demand for the ban on the KSM to be revoked also received support from Transport and General Workers Union assistant general secretary Barry Camfield. He sent a message condemning 'this outrageous attempt to crush legitimate freedom of expression and political views', adding that the Czech government has embarked upon 'a very dangerous road'.
A display of banners outside the Czech embassy triggered the arrival of three police vehicles in quick succession, each with blue lights flashing.
'It seems they were responding to a complaint from embassy staff - but they will have to get used to democratic protest, because this campaign will continue until the Czech Young Communists are free', declared British Young Communist League representative Ben Chacko.
Also on the deputation were Unison national executive member Bob Oram, retiring RMT president Tony Donaghy and Indian Workers Association representative Sarwan Singh.
From Communist Party of Britain
