Washington D.C., Feb 9, 2010 / 20:02 pm
Three Chinese human rights advocates have been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by a bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers. The nominees’ work includes defending victims of religious and political persecution and also victims of abuses related to China’s stringent one-child policy.
Rep. Chris Smith (R-N.J.) announced the nomination of Chen Guangcheng, Gao Zhisheng, and Liu Xiaobo last Friday.
“These three heroes have stood up for the cause of freedom and human dignity, and they have sacrificed and suffered for their stands,” said Rep. Smith. “They deserve consideration for the Nobel Peace Prize.”
The nomination letter, signed by six other Congressmen, praised the trio’s “outstanding” human rights advocacy and their “remarkable” patriotism and civic courage. The Congressmen said the nominees’ work called on the Chinese government to operate within its laws and in accordance with the human rights agreements it has signed.