Dissidents tipped for Nobel Peace prize

Dissidents tipped for Nobel Peace prize	9.10.2008
THE 2008 Nobel Peace Prize could go to a Chinese or Russian dissident in an attempt to highlight the human rights situation in those countries, where the award would unleash strong reactions, experts said ahead of tomorrow`s announcement. Chinese dissidents Hu Jia and Gao Zhisheng and Chechen human rights lawyer Lidiya Yusupova are seen as strong contenders this year, as 2008 marks the 60th anniversary of the United Nations` Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Some observers also predict the prestigious prize could this year be used to bring attention to one of Africa`s "forgotten" wars, but with the names of this year`s 197 nominees a well-kept secret, pundits can only speculate. Nineteen years after awarding the prize to the Dalai Lama, the five-member Norwegian Nobel Committee could choose to send a stinging reminder to the Chinese regime to stick to its vow to improve human rights after the Beijing Olympics. Hu, an imprisoned campaigner for civil rights, environmental protection and AIDS victims in China, and rights lawyer Zhisheng, also currently behind bars, are the most likely to win the prize, according to the head of the International Peace Research Institute in Oslo, Stein Toennesson. "The Nobel committee has probably been interested in China for years, but perhaps it has not until now found an obvious candidate or maybe it didn`t want to cause a disturbance ahead of the Olympics," he said. "The Olympics wrapped up as a success in a lot of respects, but not when it comes to human rights." Beijing has already voiced its opposition to such an honour for Hu, as is the case each time a Chinese dissident is mentioned as a possible contender for the prestigious prize, calling on the Nobel committee to make "the right choice". Among other Chinese regime opponents seen as potential winners are Wei Jingsheng and Rebiya Kadeer, who represents the Uighur Muslim minority.

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