Milada Horáková

Milada Horáková was a fearless fighter for justice, democracy, and human rights, who became a symbol of resistance against totalitarianism. As a lawyer and politician, she fought for women's rights, social justice, and democracy—even during the Nazi occupation, for which she was imprisoned in a concentration camp. After the war, she actively participated in the reconstruction of Czechoslovakia, but after the communist coup in 1948, she became one of the leading figures of political resistance.

In 1950, after a fabricated show trial, she was executed by the communist regime, despite global appeals for clemency from world leaders, including Winston Churchill and Albert Einstein. She never broke, never betrayed her ideals. Her final words before execution, "I am falling, I am falling... This country will be free again!", still echo today.
Milada Horáková is more than just a victim of a political trial. She is proof that truth, honor, and freedom come at a cost—and that we must never stop fighting for a more just world. Her story reminds us that democracy is not a given; it is a responsibility that must be defended.

A commemorative event at Vyšehrad Cemetery in July 2025 will honor the legacy of Milada Horáková as a symbol of courage, justice, and resistance to totalitarianism. At her symbolic grave, historians, the public, and representatives of institutions will gather to pay tribute to a woman who gave her life for freedom. Peace is not a given—it is a value we must continuously strive for, protect, and remember how easily it can be threatened. This event will not only serve as a remembrance but also as a call to defend democracy and human rights for future generations.