Gao Zhisheng

Gao Zhisheng is a Chinese dissident who is reported to be at the top of the short list for the 2008 Nobel Peace Prize.¹ An eminent lawyer in his home country, Gao disappeared in 2007 three days after issuing an open letter to U.S. Congress, bemoaning human rights conditions in China and opposing the Beijing Olympics.² He is believed to be in custody of the Chinese police.¹

Fast Facts

1. Veteran of China's People's Liberation Army¹
2. Self-taught lawyer¹
3. Won a 2007 court case on behalf of the banned Falun Gong movement.¹
4. Religion: Christianity
5. Quit Communist Party in 2005
6. Reported to be jailed, possibly tortured¹
7. Fellow Chinese dissident Hu Jia also under consideration for prize¹
8. Nobel Committee awards $1.4 million for Peace Prize

Related Pages on Mahalo

Nobel Peace Prize 2008 | Nobel Prize | Nobel Peace Prize Winners | Amnesty International | Hu Jia

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