Dear Colleague:
We are writing to ask you to join us in nominating Wei Jingsheng, China's foremost pro-democracy activist, for the Nobel Peace Prize for 1996. A copy of the nomination letter is on the reverse of this page.
Last year, an international group of parliamentarians, including 58 Members of the United States Congress, nominated Wei Jingsheng for the Nobel Prize. Wei was reportedly a strong contender.
In his writings, Wei has eloquently attested to the need for legal protections and respect for human rights as a corollary to economic development. His vision of human rights is more vital than ever in the turbulent world of the 1990's. By honoring Wei for his courageous commitment to human rights and fundamental freedoms, the Nobel Committee can make a symbolic statement on behalf of the entire international community.
Wei Jingsheng was first imprisoned at the age of 29 in 1979 for his role during the "Democracy Wall" movement. He served 14 and 1/2 years of a 15 year term and was released in September 1993 as part of China's bid to host the Olympic Games in year 2000.
Because he continued to speak out for human rights, Wei was redetained by the Chinese less than six months after his release and shortly after meeting with U.S. Assistant Secretary of State John Shattuck. He was held incommunicado for 20 months and was recently tried and convicted on unsubstantiated charges of "conspiring to subvert" the Chinese government.
Last month, the House and Senate both voted unanimously for resolutions in support of Wei Jingsheng, urging his immediate and unconditional release from Chinese prison. The day after the House vote, China's totalitarian government sentenced Wei to 14 more years in prison -- the harshest punishment imposed on a person speaking out against repression in China since the Tiananmen Square events of 1989.
Distinguished columnist Anthony Lewis recently described Wei as, "a man of extraordinary vision and courage. On his own, alone, he has challenged the greatest tyranny on earth. Though he had little formal education, he brilliantly expounded the meaning of freedom. Imprisoned, brutalized, silenced, he will not yield." (New York Times, December 15, 1995). Jim Hoagland, another distinguished columnist, wrote that "Wei has become to China's democrats what Alexander Solzhenitsyn and Andrei Sakharov were to Soviet dissidents: the living symbol of a movement's hope and courage." (Washington Post, December 17, 1995).
We hope you will support the worldwide effort underway by members of parliaments and others to place Wei's name in nomination for the 1996 Nobel Peace Prize.
If you would like to sign the nominating letter, please call Carolyn Bartholomew with Congresswoman Pelosi at 5-4965 or Linda Menghetti with Senator Bradley at 4-5700.
Representative Nancy Pelosi & Senator Bill Bradley
Norwegian Nobel Committee
The Nobel Institute
Drammensvn, 19
N-0255 Oslo, NORWAY
Dear Members of the Norwegian Nobel Committee:
We, the undersigned members of the U.S. Congress, respectfully nominate Wei Jingsheng for the 1996 Nobel Peace Prize. Wei Jingsheng is a writer, political philosopher, and leading human rights advocate who represents an important symbol and inspiration for Chinese citizens.
We believe that by honoring Mr. Wei, the Nobel Committee would draw attention to the ongoing struggle of nonviolent dissidents in the People's Republic of China at a crucial time in that country's transition.
Because of his courageous stand as a voice for democracy and human rights, Wei was sentenced in 1979 to fifteen years. He served 14 and 1/2 years of this term and was released in September 1993 as part of China's bid to host the Olympic Games in year 2000. Wei continued to speak out for human rights and was redetained by the Chinese government less than six months after his release.
Wei Jingsheng was first jailed in 1979 because of his peaceful activities and writings during China's "Democracy Wall" movement, notably his famous essay, "The Fifth Modernization -- Democracy." Following his release from prison in September 1993, he met with journalists and diplomats, and wrote articles for publication abroad, continuing to assert the rights and aspirations of the Chinese people.
On December 13, 1995, Wei Jingsheng was tried and convicted in Beijing on unsubstantiated charges of "conspiring to subvert" the Chinese government. Prior to his trial he had been detained since April 1, 1994 without charge or trial or the opportunity to communicate with his family or attorney.
Human rights organizations and governments around the world condemned the trial and fourteen year prison sentence. The U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate unanimously adopted resolutions calling for Wei's immediate and unconditional release; the European Parliament also called for his release, declaring that Wei had been "persecuted because he was demanding democratic rights for the Chinese people."
Wei became a voice for those within China who are voiceless, and engaged in humanitarian activity, giving away his money to help the families of the victims of the June 1989 massacre. He has endured imprisonment, beatings, and isolation, but he has refused to give up his beliefs or his active commitment to the principles of democracy and freedom.
We urge the Nobel Committee to honor this man's eloquent vision and his unparalleled and courageous contribution to the future development of his country as a peaceful participant in the world community.
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