Free Vietnam Alliance
PRESS RELEASE
December 10, 1999
On December 10, 1999, twenty-nine members of the US House of Representatives sent a joint letter to the Nobel Peace Prize Selection Committee in Norway to nominate Ven. Thich Quang Do, Director of the Institute for the Dharma Propagation of the Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam, for the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize for the year 2000.
The letter stated: "The Nobel Prize is given 'For the peace and brotherhood of men.' For decades the Venerable Thich Quang Do has followed the path of peaceful protest in the face of repression, like many other past recipients of this honor. In recognition of his courage, his convictions, and his sacrifices, we, the undersigned, respectfully submit the name of the Venerable Thich Quang Do as a nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize."
The worldwide effort to nominate Ven. Thich Quang Do for the 2000 Nobel Peace Prize was launched three months ago by a coalition of many Vietnamese organizations and communities around the world. To meet the Selection Committee's conditions which require the nominators be members of parliament, university professors, or Nobel laureates, in September 1999, the Free Vietnam Alliance proposed the nomination idea to US Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez. Having met in person and talked at length with Ven. Thich Quang Do during her recent visit to Vietnam, Congresswoman Sanchez embraced the proposal and initiated the effort through the Congressional Dialogue on Vietnam. To date, 29 US Representatives have jointly nominated Ven. Thich Quang Do for the 2000 Nobel Peace Prize. The Congressional Dialogue on Vietnam was founded by Representatives Loretta Sanchez, Zoe Lofgren, and Tom Davis in 1998 as a forum to discuss issues related to Vietnam and bring together voices from Congress, the Administration, and Vietnamese American communities. The Congressional Dialogue also launched the Campaign to Adopt-a-voice of Conscience in Vietnam in Summer 1998.
In Europe, Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Duc, secretary general of the Free Vietnam Alliance met with Ven. Thich Minh Tam, leader of the Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam in Europe, in October 1999 to discuss the campaign for the nomination of Ven. Thich Quang Do. With Ven. Thich Minh Tam's support, the campaign has begun. To date, Senator Michel Pelchat, Chairman of the French Committee for Democracy in Vietnam, has led the campaign with dignatories of France and the European Union. Results will be announced in the coming weeks.
In Australia, Law Professor Peter Vlahos of the Monash University in Victoria, has also nominated Ven. Thich Quang Do for the 2000 Nobel Peace Prize.
In the coming days, the Free Vietnam Alliance, in coordination with other Vietnamese and international organizations, will continue the effort to make known to the world the inspiring life of Ven. Thich Quang Do and what he stands for.
Following is the Nomination Letter, Signed by 29 Members of the US House of Representatives.
December 10, 1999
The Honorable Nobel Peace Prize Selection Committee Norwegian Nobel Institute
Drammensveien 19
N-0255
Oslo, Norway
To the Honorable Chair:
The Nobel Peace Prize, more than any other national or international symbol, upholds the virtues of peace, promotes social justice, and honors those brave enough to risk life, limb, and liberty in their pursuit. The Venerable Thich Quang Do is such a person.
Like the Reverend Desmond Tutu of South Africa, and His Holiness the Dalai Llama of Tibet, the Venerable Thich Quang Do has exemplified the best of the human spirit in his quest for one of the most basic of human rights, freedom of worship.
In his native Vietnam, the Venerable Thich Quang Do has been imprisoned, placed under house arrest, exiled, and jailed again simply for advocating fundamental human rights. For decades the Venerable Thich Quang Do, the secretary-general of the banned Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam, has protested government infringements upon religious practice and interference with the church. The Dalai Llama described his efforts as "the legitimate expressions of the fundamental right to freedom of religion." A repeated prisoner of conscience, the Venerable Thich Quang Do has called for compassion and tolerance in the face of authoritarian repression.
"Human civilization," the Venerable Thich Quang Do has declared, "would not allow a government of any ideology or political system to intentionally exempt itself from universal values and erect an iron curtain to keep a section of humankind in the shadow of history behind the vague concept of the fabricated excuse of 'internal affairs.'" As it has recognized struggles in Burma, Guatemala, and South Africa, the international community must also acknowledge this campaign for human rights and dignities in Vietnam.
Ultimately, the Venerable Thich Quang Do is confident that freedom will prevail in his country as it has elsewhere: in his words, "evil does not last; history has never ceased to demonstrate this truth." As the world stands on the verge of a new millennium, we also once again bear witness to old conflicts, none more sacred or more fundamental than the struggle over the freedom of belief. The Nobel Prize is given "For the peace and brother hood of men." For decades the Venerable Thich Quang Do has followed the path of peaceful protest in the face of repression, like many other past recipients of this honor. In recognition of his courage, his convictions, and his sacrifices, we, the undersigned, respectfully submit the name of the Venerable Thich Quang Do as a nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Thank you for your consideration.
Very truly yours,
1. Loretta Sanchez
2. Zoe Lofgren
3. Tom Davis
4. Dana Rohrabacher
5. Lloyd Doggett
6. Christopher Smith
7. Neil Abercrombie
8. Merrill Cook
9. Mike Forbes
10. James Traficant
11. Tom Campbell
12. Edward R. Royce
13. Brian P. Bilbray
14. Vic Snyder
15. Nydia M. Velazquez
16. Rod Blagojevich
17. David D. Phelps
18. Mike Forbes
19. Silvestre Reyes
20. Solomon Ortiz
21. Ruben Hinojosa
22. Gary Ackerman
23. Joseph Crowley
24. Dennis Moore
25. Brad Sherman
26. Charles A. Gonzalez
27. John Lewis
28. Steny Hoyer
29. Dennis Kucinich