published by: China Net, January 13, 1996
IFCSS Foundation, Inc. 733 15th Street, NW Suite 440 Washington, D.C. 20005 Tel: (202) 347-0017 Fax: (202) 347-0018
Nomination of Mr. Wei Jingsheng for 1996 Nobel Peace Prize
The Independent Federation of Chinese Students and Scholars joined in the campaign for supporting Mr. Wei Jingsheng for 1996 Nobel Peace Prize. The efforts have been extended to Canada, Netherland, Norway, France, Japan, Russia, Britain, Australia, Denmark, and other countries,trying to solicit nominations worldwide from those who are eligible.
According to regulations by Norwegian Nobel Peace Prize Committee, those who are professors in History, Philosophy, and Political Sciences, legislators (Congress Members and Members of Parliament), and Nobel Peace Prize laureates, are eligible for nominating Peace Prize candidates. The deadline for accepting nomination is February 1st.
The Federation sincerely hopes to get assistance for nominating Mr. Wei Jingsheng, as it did last year, from Dignity-net readers around the world, especially in East European countries and Russia. Any help will be highly appreciated.
Please contact the Headquarters of the IFCSS: HQ@ifcss.org Thank you so much.
Attached is a sample letter drafted for your reference. Please address your question or inquiry for more background information to: dignity-l@cornell.edu
Thank you for your attention.
____ ____ ____
The Norwegian Nobel Committee
Nobel Institute
Drammensvelen 19
N-0255 Oslo Norway
Dear Members of the Norwegian Nobel Committee,
We, the undersigned members of the [ ] parliament, respectfully nominate Wei Jingsheng, a writer, thinker, and prominent political dissident for the 1996 Nobel Peace Prize.
Since 1978, Wei Jingsheng has courageously stood up to the Chinese government to demand political democratization and human rights in China. We strongly believe that, by bestowing the Nobel Peace Prize on Mr. Wei Jingsheng , the Committee would recognize his courage, ideals, commitment, and personal sacrifice to the cause of human rights.
Wei Jingsheng has been a prominent political thinker and writer for over eighteenyears since he advocated "political democratization" in 1978, and was imprisoned the following year. His spirit remained steadfast despite almost fifteen years of suffering and imprisonment, until he was released in 1993.
As you no doubt know, Wei was arrested again in April, 1994, and was detained for almost twenty months by Chinese authorities before being charged and tried. Despite strong protests from international society around the world, last December he was sentenced to another fourteen years in prison.
As China's foremost symbol of the struggle for human rights and democracy, Wei has remained true to his peaceful convictions and has inspired thousands of Chinese citizens to oppose tyranny in the world's most powerful and oppressive Communist country.
We hope that the Nobel Committee will consider to acknowledge Wei Jingsheng for his unique and historical contribution - the promo- tion of freedom and fundamental rights in China. The award of the Nobel Peace Prize to Wei Jingsheng would not only validate his commitment to democracy and encourage others to follow his example, but would also salute all people throughout the world who honor the value of free speech and human rights.
Sincerey,
