An Australian Professor's Letter Nominating Mr. Li Hongzhi for Nobel Peace Prize

18 January 2001

The Norwegian Nobel Institute

Drammensveien 19 N-0255

OSLO NORWAY

Dear Institute,

I understand that you have received a nomination for Mr Li Hongzhi for the award of the Nobel Peace Prize, for his work in relation to the Falun Gong movement.

I am writing in support of that nomination, and very much hope it will be possible for the Committee to select him.

I am not a practitioner of Falun Gong, but have observed the practitioners both here, and in Hong Kong last year when I was on a teaching assignment at the University of Hong Kong. They comport themselves admirably, and they stand for principles that I am sure are fully within the objectives of the Nobel Peace Prize. Truthfulness, Benevolence and Forbearance as they are interpreted in Mr Li's writings are a powerful support for peace and the peaceful process, and the participants appear to live out the principles in their lives.

It is altogether remarkable that in as few as 8 or 9 years 100 million people could have become part of the Falun Gong movement. They cannot but be a powerful witness to and influence for the importance of peace, of the practice of peaceful means, and of the acceptance in their personal lives of the need for those who follow that path to practise and stand by those principles. What they do, inspired by Mr Li, who appears to refuse to elevate himself as so many more pseudo leaders have, as I am sure he could, is a remarkable force for peace and a reward of this kind would be very appropriate, as well as being welcomed by millions.

I recognise that the Committee has already noticed China, and that such recognitions are not easy. But I do believe this quiet but potent influence on that great country could not do anything but good.

I personally am a human rights lawyer, and before that spent many years in the Public Service of Australia. The decorations after my name in the letterhead were for service to the public, and for service to the human rights cause. I can think of no more deserving person than Mr Li for the receipt of this award. I had wondered about Mr Wei, who visited this University and whose meeting here I had the honour to chair. But the hard fact is that I think Mr Li's contribution has reached much much wider circles, and had a greater direct impact on the lives of so many both inside and beyond China.

So I do hope you will look favourably on my recommendation, and those of I am sure many others.

Yours sincerely

XXX

[Editor's note: We greatly appreciate the professor's support, yet in order to avoid Chinese government's interference, we chose not to show the professor's name. Our apologies .]