22nd January, 1997

Det Norske Shortings Nobelkomite

Nobel Committee of the Norwegian Parliament

Darmmensveien 19

0255 Uslo 2

Norway

Dear Friends,

I would like to nominate tile Chinese dissident, Wei Jingsheng, for the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize.

Wei Jingsheng has dedicated his life to the struggle for democracy in China since he was a teenager. He was Leader of the "Wall for Democracy" movement between 1978 and 1979. Wei was arrested on March 29th 1979 for " spreading state secrets and sentenced to 15 years in prison for "counter-revolutionary" crimes.

Released in 1993, Wei continued to openly denounce human rights violations in China. Arrested again on April 1, 1994, he was detained in a secret place for 20 months with neither charges nor trial. On 21st November, 1995, Chinese authorities sentenced him to a new 15 year term. This new sentence of 15 years by the Peking authority means they have not only removed Wei's freedom but condemned him again to extreme hardship and suffering. Due to harsh imprisonment conditions, his health has deteriorated, and his family have voiced their deep concern as his state of health is growing worse.

Wei Jingsheng, is China's most celebrated nonviolent fighter for human rights and freedom of expression. His brave stand for democracy and Human Rights for China and Tibet is an inspiration to all of us and for this reason I nominate him for the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize.

Shalom,

Mairead Maguire

Nobel Peace Laureate