Over the past week, Tibet has experienced the worst violence it has seen in over 20 years. The Nobel Women's Initiative has sent an open letter to Chinese President Hu Jintao in solidarity with Tibet's spiritual leader, fellow laureate, His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The Dalai Lama continues to be adamantly opposed to violence, and denounces the brutality of recent protesters and government officials. We urge the government to reject the use of violence and to engage in meaningful dialogue with the men and women of Tibet.

Copies of the open letter were also sent to British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, U.S. President George W. Bush, and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper. 
 

On 19 February, Nobel Peace Laureate Wangari Maathai received several death threats that she believes to be a response to her calls for an end to the political unrest and violence that has upset Kenya since the country's disputed presidential elections in December 2007.

One of the messages read, "Because of opposing the government at all times, Professor Wangari Maathai, we have decided to look for your head very soon. Chunga maisha yako (Take care of your life)." 

Today, in the following statement released to the media, the Nobel Women's Initiative condemned the threats and urged authorities to protect Dr. Maathai and other human rights defenders working for peace and reconciliation in Kenya.

Photo: Wangari Maathai overlooking areas reforested by The Green Belt Movement. Courtesy of Mia MacDonald.

In the face of growing political unrest and escalating violence, sister Laureate Wangari Maathai has been working tirelessly towards a lasting solution to the crisis in Kenya. This has included launching a Peace Tent Initiative and meeting with religious leaders, politicians and other representatives from Kenya's strong and vibrant civil society. She has also given many interviews to local and international press explaining the genesis of the conflict and supporting dialogue and reconciliation.

We at the Nobel Women's Initiative support her efforts and urge an end to the violent bloodshed in Kenya.

Since the 27 December elections, post-election violence has displaced thousands and killed hundreds in Kenya.  The Nobel Women's Initiative is concerned at the unprecedented unrest and supports Sister Laureate Wangari Maathai's call for peace and reconciliation.

This week, Nobel Laureate Mairead Corrigan Maguire helped celebrate the completion of the World Peace Bell Park in the demilitarized zone of Hwacheon County, Korea. The completion of the park follows recent steps towards peace between North and South Korea.  On October 4th, following landmark talks, North and South Korea signed a joint declaration formally ending the 1950-53 Korean war. Creators of the World Peace Park hope it will serve as a home for future peace talks and summits.

Learn more about the The Bell Park of World Peace Project

After respected peace US activists Medea Benjamin and Ret. Col. Ann Wright were barred entry to Canada in mid-October, parliamentarians from the New Democratic Party invited the activists back to Ottawa to speak to activists. On Thursday October 25, activist Ann Wright was kept out of Canada a second time, despite being invited by elected Members of Parliament. 

Benjamin and Wright are on an FBI watch list which, as of July 2007, Canada is using, alongside a series of shared databases, to screen would-be visitors to Canada.  The activists have been ardent nonviolent opponents of the war in Iraq, and arrested in the US for nonviolent civil disobedience.

Nobel Laureate Rigoberta Menchu Tum made a historic bid for the Guatemalan presidency on September 9th.  Her campaign was the first ever by an indigenous woman. Though violence and corruption pervaded the election, Rigoberta led a courageous campaign one that refused to bend to commercialization or corruption.  "I am not a commercial product...In Guatemala, politicians can buy votes but I didn't buy a single vote. Rigoberta placed sixth among a field of fourteen candidates, garnering 3 percent of the votes. The defeat in the polls was not a defeat in spirit as Rigoberta has said, the integrity of her campaign was a victory in itself.'                        
                                                                                      Credit: Trevor Snapp / WPN

(30 August 2007) NWI welcomes today's release of the last remaining South Korean hostages being held in Afghanistan. We are pleased they are free and able to return safely to their families.

"Today's events are a clear example of what can be achieved through dialogue and listening to grievances and working to reach compromise and agreement when human lives are at stake." (Mairead Corrigan Maguire)

Also read: Taliban Frees Remaining S. Korean Hostages, Voice of America, 30 August 2007