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Wei
Jingsheng Foundation News and Article Release Issue Number: A6-O3
中国民主运动海外联席会议新闻与文章发布号：A6-O3
Release Date: February 14, 2003
发布日：2003年2月14日
Topic: Mr. WEI is nominated for 2003 Nobel Peace Prize and his speech at the
15th anniversary of the Sakharov Prize Ceremony in European Parliment
标题：魏京生先生被提名为2003年度的诺贝尔和平奖及魏先生在欧盟萨哈罗夫奖纪念会上的讲话
Original Language Version: Chinese/English
(English at beginning, Chinese version at the end)
please visit our website if you have problem to read Chinese in this issue
此号以中英文为准（英文在前，中文在后）
The Wei Jingsheng Foundation and the Overseas Chinese Democracy
Coalition are dedicated to the promotion of human rights and democratization
in
China. We appreciate your assistance and help in any means.
We pledge solidarity to all who struggle for human rights and democratic
governance on this planet.
You are welcome to use or distribute this release. However, please credit
with this foundation and its website at: www.weijingsheng.org
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February 14, 2003
Dear friends,
We are glad to learn that, once again, Mr. WEI Jingsheng, the chairman of the
Overseas Chinese Democracy Coalition, has been nominated for the 2003 Nobel
Peace Prize. For the last decade, Mr. WEI has been nominated in almost every
year for the Peace Prize, not just for the time he spent in jail for his
belief in Chinese human rights and democracy, but also for his tireless work
under extreme difficulty after his exile in 1997. As Mr. Wei once said, "It
is not that important for myself to get the prize. But I do wish the prize
would belong to our Chinese one day, during our tough battles with Chinese
Communism, as it would serve not just for inspiration, but more for
demonstrating the encouragement and support from the international society
that is in support of democracy and human rights."
The Overseas Chinese Democracy Coalition appreciates the nominators and would
like to encourage its members to take this news as recognition to all of us
for the conviction and continuing fight for a better China. Here, we would
like to share with you an excerpt of one of the recommendation letters, and
especially hope it will encourage our Chinese friends on our long journey at
a difficult time:
'Mr. Wei is the leading opposition leader and most prominent human rights and
democracy proponent for China. His essay, "the Fifth Modernization," and his
advocacy of democratic principles led to an imprisonment of more than
eighteen years. He dedicated his efforts to the spread of democracy and
peace, winning him the sobriquet of "Father of Chinese Democracy."
The Nobel Committee is already aware that Mr. Wei, undaunted, continues to
speak out on behalf of democracy in the most populous nation in the world,
even though the human rights outlook there remain grim. More than ever
before, Mr. Wei, the symbol of Chinese democracy, is a worthy recipient of
the Peace Prize. Obviously, the selection of Mr. Wei will recognize not only
Mr. Wei but also the continuing struggle of the Chinese people for human
rights, democracy, dignity and peace.
The Committee has long supported the Mr. Wei's goals. I salute the Committee
for its devotion to its high calling. I proudly nominate Mr. Wei for his
past work and his devotion to the cause of peace.'
Since he won the first Gleitsman Foundation's International Activist Award in
1993 (shared with Mr. Nelson Mandela of South Africa), Mr. WEI has won
numerous major international awards in human rights and democracy ever
since. These are not just the recognition of Mr. WEI's devotion and
sacrifice for his country fellows, but also brought courage to the rest of
the Chinese democracy fighters.
In 1996, Mr. Wei won the Sakharov Human Rights Prize from the European
Parliament while he was still in Chinese prison. In December 2002, he was
invited to give a speech in the European Parliament in observation of the
15th anniversary of the EU's Sakharov Prize. Unfortunately, due to a lack of
adequate travel documents, he was not able to make a presentation. However,
his speech was given there despite his absence.
Ciping Huang
Secretary General
The Overseas Chinese Democracy Coalition
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December 15, 2002
I was awarded the Sakharov Prize when I was still locked in the communist's
dark cell, suffering for demanding freedom and democracy for my people. This
award was like a little oil lamp, illuminating my heart that had been
immersed in the darkness for years. It gave me confidence, courage, and also
provided small assistance to the Chinese democracy. Yet, this small
assistance multiplied by 1.3 billion represents an astonishing achievement,
which pushes human civilization forward.
Although award winners are neither celebrities nor powerful, as their great
cause become embraced by the human race, they become well known figures, and
even become able to hold power actively pushing the human progress. The
Sakharov Prize gave to those people crucial hope at the crucial moment.
Therefore, this award becomes a more and more important force in people's
hearts.
I especially save the time slot planning in long advance for this 15th
anniversary occasion at the European Parliament, thinking that I could come
to meet friends and exchange experiences on our tough road to democracy.
Unfortunately, a little trouble happened to me, which made me realize a great
crisis, and I want to share it with friends here today for future reference.
I was in Australia recently, and was a victim of well-planned crime. My
briefcase and wallet, including all the credit cards and identification cards
were stolen. So in order to come to Strasburg, I needed an authorization from
the French authority for entry and an American authorization for return.
Since my permanent residence in the US was offered by the unanimous vote of a
resolution of the US Congress, it is supposedly easy to get the replacement.
It took only four days from the French government; however, in Washington,
the local agencies do not know what to do and even where to go, they sent me
from one office to another. As the result, I am sorry that I am unable to
come to meet with my friends on time.
It is not an isolated incident. Such unfortunate experiences in America are
increasing, from offices to airports, even in the shopping malls.
Inefficiency is a chronic disease of democratic society. It makes me feel a
great danger - not for the countries that are not democratic yet, but for the
countries that already have democracy.
Unlike Mao or Lenin, the Nazis in Germany were "elected" to power. Why did
the German people elect a tyrant? One of the reasons was because the previous
democratic government was so inefficient and incompetent. Tyrants can also
come to power through the democratic process. Did Hitler change German legal
system? No he did not. Justice cannot guarantee democracy victory forever,
but justice too, could serve tyranny, and in a more efficient way.
The wheels of society are constantly turning, but a weak and inefficient
democratic government due to its inability, acts as a break to hold the
society back. So people have to uninstall this incompetent break, yet it
gets out of control, the society gets into abyss of suffering, and goes from
one extreme to the other, even gives up on democracy. The guilty is not
incompetence of the democratic system; it is not because of people's
ignorance, but irresponsible and incompetent politicians.
The biggest advantage of democracy over authoritarian systems is that
democracy provides more protection for common people; they could receive
generally fair treatment. However, bureaucracy's irresponsibility and its
abuse of power decrease the amount of justice, civil liberty, and
governmental efficiency. It leads people to have a great nostalgia for "a
more efficient regime." This is the greatest danger for the modern democratic
system. Perhaps it is not the same as electing Hitler, but democracy could
lose to more efficiently organized internal and external enemies.
America has the most powerful intelligence agencies, yet is unable to deal
with a tiny group of terrorists. It is only capable of violating passengers
civil rights at the airport; searching honest citizens as searching
criminals. This is precisely a victory for those terrorists and their
totalitarian friends. They are forcing weak and incompetent democratic
governments to use drastic measures that step on human rights, creating
conditions for their worldwide totalitarian control.
My friends, as we strive for democracy for the Chinese and other oppressed
nations, totalitarians are laughing at us because of the ineffectiveness of
the democratic countries. When people in democracies refuse to change as it
could jeopardize their comfortable life, politicians are covering up the fact
of losing important battles. Parliaments are helping their cover up; business
people who own the media are helping their cover up. I almost saw a repeating
scene of vanished ancient democracy.
Such situation urges me to appeal to all conscientious friends: humanity is
at the eve of having a great crisis. Let us fight for protection of human
rights and democracy during our lifetime everywhere we are. Democracy is not
like propaganda says - a powerful system. If we are unwilling to pay a great
price to fight for it and protect it, then we do not deserve it.
Thank you all!
WEI JingSheng
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中文版
Wei Jingsheng Foundation News and Article Release Issue Number: A6-O3
中国民主运动海外联席会议新闻与文章发布号：A6-O3
Release Date: February 14, 2003
发布日：2003年2月14日
Topic: Mr. WEI is nominated for 2003 Nobel Peace Prize and his speech at the
15th anniversary of the Sakharov Prize Ceremony in European Parliment
标题：魏京生先生被提名为2003年度的诺贝尔和平奖及魏先生在欧盟萨哈罗夫奖纪念会上的讲话
Original Language Version: Chinese/English
(English at beginning, Chinese version at the end)
please visit our website if you have problem to read Chinese in this issue
此号以中英文为准（英文在前，中文在后）
魏京生基金会及中国民主运动海外联席会议以推动中国的人权与民主为己任。
我们欢迎任何形式的帮助与贡献。我们愿与世界上为人权与民主而奋斗的人们一起努力。
我们希望您能够帮助我们散发我们的资料。但请标明出处与我们的网址：
www.weijingsheng.org
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亲爱的朋友们，
我们高兴地得知,中国民主运动海外联席会议主席魏京生先生再次被提名为2003年诺贝尔和平奖候选人.由于过去为中国的自由民主而坐牢多年所付出的代价和1997年遭流放国外后在艰苦条件下的继续奋斗,使魏京生先生十年以来每年都获提名.魏京生本人曾经表示:自己得奖与否并不重要,但如果有一天中国人可以获诺贝尔和平奖的话,那将对中国人权民主事业的发展具有非常积极的意义.
联席会议感谢所有的提名人同时也以此激励所有联席会议成员及所有关心与热爱民主与自由的人们为创造一个更美好的中国而努力.这里摘录一封推荐信作为共勉.
"民运领袖魏京生是中国最坚定的民主人权斗士,因为他对民主理念的诉求以及撰写"第五个现代化"一文,被囚禁长达十八年之久,同时也让他赢得了"民主之父"的美誉.
诺贝尔奖评审委员会对魏京生其人其事已经相当熟悉,那么如果将和平奖颁发给魏,这个中国民主的象征,将会极大地推动中国,这个世界的人口大国的和平民主事业.对中国的人权进步也将有积极的作用.
我荣幸地提名魏京生为和平奖候选人以表彰他对世界和平的贡献,在这里也想各位评委致敬."
魏京生曾于1993年与南非的曼德拉先生共同分享首届GLEITSMAN基金会国际运动奖,此后他也获得许多其它的国际民主,人权,和平等奖项,这些不仅是魏京生本人的荣耀,而且鼓舞了所有的中国民主斗士.
1996年,魏京生获欧洲议会颁发的萨哈罗夫人权奖,当时他身陷囹圄无法亲自领奖.而2002年12月,他再次受邀为这一奖项的15周年纪念演讲,却因为丢失旅行证件而无法成行,由他人代读贺词.
中国民主运动海外联席会议
秘书长
黄慈萍
二零零三年二月十四日
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给第十五届萨哈罗夫大会的书面发言
--
魏京生
当我还在共产党的黑暗的牢房中,为了我的人民的自由和民主而受难时,我获得了萨哈罗夫奖.它像一盏小油灯,照亮了沉沉黑暗中的我的心.给了我自信,给了我勇气,给予中国民主化事业一个小小的帮助.这个小小的帮助乘以十三亿,就是一个惊人的成就,它推动着人类的前进.
虽然,得奖的人们并不特别著名,也不是有权势的人.但随着他们所从事的伟大事业渐渐被人类认可,他们也渐渐地有名,甚至可以掌握权力去更好地推动人类前进.萨哈罗夫奖在他们最重要的时刻给了他们重要的推动,因此这项奖励成为人们心目中越来越重要的一股力量.
我特别保留了时间,准备前往欧洲议会参加这次大会,并和朋友们交流争取自由,推动民主的艰难历程中的经验.遗憾的是,我碰到了一个小小的麻烦,却看到了一个大大的危机.我迫不及待地想告诉与会的朋友们,以备参考.
我在澳大利亚时被有计划地偷走了手提包,其中包括我的所有证件和信用卡.如果我前往斯特拉斯堡开会,除了需要法国的入境证件外,还需要美国的证件回到美国来.而我在美国的居住身份是由美国国会全体一致通过的一项法令给予的,补办一份证件,应该很容易.但是,法国的特别证件经过巴黎官方审核又回到华盛顿,只用了四天就办成了.而华盛顿那份看上去很容易补办的普通证件,花了一个多星期时间,被各机关推来推去,至今甚至不知道谁能够办理.我只好向到会的朋友们抱歉,我无法按时到达与朋友们会面了.
这不是一件孤立的事件.几乎每天你都可能在美国的办公大楼,机场和其它公共场所碰到类似的事情,甚至在商场里也如此.效率低下已成为民主社会的慢性疾病,这使我感到极大的危机.不是为尚未民主的国家,而是为早已民主的国家.
纳粹政权是怎样在德国上台的?不是像毛泽东,列宁那样抢到的政权,而是德国人民选他们上台的.暴政也可以通过民主的程序上台,然后中断民主的制度.希特勒改变了德国的法律体系吗?没有.法律并不能保证民主战而不胜,法律也可以为专制暴政服务.而且效率更高.
德国人民为什么要选一个暴君和他的暴政集团呢?因为在这之前的民主政府太没有效率.社会的车轮必须不停地转动,而效率低下软弱无能的民主政府每时每刻都用它的无能踩刹车.人们只好拆掉这个无能的刹车,最终导致狂奔失控.为免坠入深渊,人们又走向另一个极端,不得不停止了民主车轮的转动.退回到更原始的状态,以求得稍带安全感的效率.罪不在民主无能;罪也不在人民无知;罪在政治家们无能和不负责任.
民主相对于专制的最大优点,就是使普通百姓的人权得到更多的保障,人们可以普遍受到比较公平的对待.但官僚机构的滞留权利和不负责任,正在使人权和公平渐渐地减少,政府的效率渐渐地降低.而且如今已降到如此低下的地步,在某些方面甚至低到不如一些专制政府.迫使人们开始怀念"更有效率的制度".这是现代民主制度的最大的危机.也许不等人们选择希特勒,民主就会败在效率更高的内部和外部敌人的手里.
美国拥有世界上最强大的CIA和FBI,却对付不了一小伙恐怖份子.只会在各国的机场侵犯各国旅客的人权,像搜查罪犯一样搜查诚实的公民.这正是恐怖份子和他们的专制主义盟友们的成功.他们正在迫使民主国家的软弱无能的政府一步一步地采取侵犯人权的措施,为他们在全世界实行极权统治创造条件.
朋友们.当我们为中国和其它受压迫的人民争取民主的时候,专制主义们正在用民主国家的无能来讥笑我们.当民主国家的人民满足于眼前的安宁的生活而不求改进的时候,你们的政客们却掩盖了他们在许多重要的战场上节节败退的事实.议会在帮助他们掩盖;被商人们控制的媒体也在帮助他们掩盖.我似乎看到了古代民主制灭亡的故事在重演.
这迫使我不得不向一切有正义感的朋友们呼吁:人类正处在一场大危机的前夜.让我们在我们生活和经过的任何地方,为保卫人权和民主制度而战斗.民主并不像人们吹嘘的那样强大,如果我们不愿付出巨大的代价来争取和保卫它.我们就不配享受它.
谢谢朋友们!
魏京生
2002年12月15日
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