Thanks to all for sharing your thoughts about the upcoming World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates being held next month in Cape Town, and South Africa’s refusal to give His Holiness the Dalai Lama a visa to attend the Summit. We have also been in broad and ongoing communication about this matter and have been discussing a variety of possible responses, including actions at the Summit. Some of us will be with His Holiness before the Summit, and discussing options directly with him.
We share with you the concerns about South Africa’s decision to bend to pressure from Chinese authorities and, more broadly, about China’s human rights record. Earlier this month—along with ten other Nobel peace laureates—we sent a strongly worded letter directly to President Zuma. We encourage you all to also register your protest directly with South African authorities.
We are very cognizant that another of our fellow Nobel peace laureates will be absent from the Summit in Cape Town: Liu Xiaobo. Liu is a brave human rights activist serving an 11-year prison term for calling for an end to one-party rule in China. We support both His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Liu Xiaobo.
Be assured we are receiving your feedback with the utmost seriousness.
In solidarity, Jody Williams, Leymah Gbowee, Mairead Maguire, Rigoberta Menchú Tum, Shirin Ebadi, Tawakkol Karman
LEARN MORE
Peace Laureates urge Zuma to allow Dalai Lama into South Africa, Mail & Guardian, 15 September 2014.
For more information, please contact:
Rachel Vincent, Director of Communications and Media
Nobel Women’s Initiative
[email protected]
Mobile: +1 (613) 276-9030
Kimberley MacKenzie, Coordinator of Online Media and Outreach
Nobel Women’s Initiative
[email protected]
Tel: +1 (613) 569-8400 x 114