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Nigeria Polls: Dalai Lama, Tutu and 47 Laureates object.
STATEMENTInternational and domestic monitors have determined that Nigeria's recent elections fell far short of acceptable standards, having failed the test of a free and fair ballot.
We, the undersigned Nobel Laureates, are concerned that the new government's lack of legitimacy increases prospects for violent conflict with serious consequences for Nigeria and the region.
Therefore, we recommend a conference of national unity involving government officials, civil society, religious and business leaders to discuss the current crisis and set a date within 18 months for early elections, along with electoral reform.
Our recommendation is offered in all responsibility, to help consolidate Nigeria's transition to democracy after decades of military dictatorship. It is made without prejudice to potential legal recourse by aggrieved candidates. Nor does our recommendation obviate the need for a credible enquiry into the electoral process that has undermined confidence of Nigerians in constitutionalism and the rule of law.
The of 48 Nobel Laureates who signed above statement.
Signatories (As of May 21, 2007)
Peter J. Agre
Nobel Prize, Chemistry (2003)
Kenneth J. Arrow
Nobel Prize, Economics (1972)
Richard Axel
Nobel Prize, Medicine (2004)
Baruj Benacerraf
Nobel Prize, Medicine (1980)
Thomas R. Cech
Nobel Prize, Chemistry (1989)
Steven Chu
Nobel Prize, Physics (1987)
Aaron Ciechanover
Nobel Prize, Chemistry (2004)
Claude Cohen-Tannoudji
Nobel Prize, Physics (1997)
John M. Coetzee
Nobel Prize, Literature (2003)
Robert F. Curl Jr.
Nobel Prize, Chemistry (1996)
The Dalai Lama
Nobel Prize, Peace (1989)
Johann Deisenhofer
Nobel Prize, Chemistry (1988)
Richard R. Ernst
Nobel Prize, Chemistry (1991)
John B. Fenn
Nobel Prize, Chemistry (2002)
Edmond H. Fischer
Nobel Prize, Medicine (1992)
Jerome I. Friedman
Nobel Prize, Physics (1990)
Sheldon L. Glashow
Nobel Prize, Physics (1979)
Roy J. Glauber
Nobel Prize, Physics (2005)
Clive W.J. Granger
Nobel Prize, Economics (2003)
David J. Gross
Nobel Prize, Physics (2004)
Dudley R. Herschbach
Nobel Prize, Chemistry (1986)
Avram Hershko
Nobel Prize, Chemistry (2004)
Roald Hoffmann
Nobel Prize, Chemistry (1981)
Eric R. Kandel
Nobel Prize, Medicine (2000)
Sir Harold W. Kroto
Nobel Prize, Chemistry (1996)
Finn E. Kydland
Nobel Prize, Economics (2004)
Yuan T. Lee
Nobel Prize, Chemistry (1986)
Anthony J. Leggett
Nobel Prize, Physics (2003)
Jean-Marie Lehn
Nobel Prize, Chemistry (1987)
Mairead Corrigan Maguire
Nobel Prize, Peace (1976)
Craig C. Mello
Nobel Prize, Medicine (2006)
Robert A. Mundell
Nobel Prize, Economics (1999)
Ferid Murad
Nobel Prize, Medicine (1998)
Erwin Neher
Nobel Prize, Medicine (1991)
Marshall W. Nirenberg
Nobel Prize, Medicine (1968)
Douglas D. Osheroff
Nobel Prize, Physics (1996)
Stanley Prusiner
Nobel Prize, Medicine (1997)
Burton Richter
Nobel Prize, Physics (1976)
Richard J. Roberts
Nobel Prize, Medicine (1993)
Jens C. Skou
Nobel Prize, Chemistry (1997)
Wole Soyinka
Nobel Prize, Literature (1986)
Joseph H. Taylor, Jr.
Nobel Prize, Physics (1993)
Desmond Tutu
Nobel Prize, Peace (1984)
Klaus von Klitzing
Nobel Prize, Physics (1985)
Elie Wiesel
Nobel Prize, Peace (1986)
Frank Wilczek
Nobel Prize, Physics (2004)
Betty Williams
Nobel Prize, Peace (1976)
Kurt Wüthrich
Nobel Prize, Chemistry (2002)



Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (3)
at 05:47 on May 23rd, 2007
Thanks for passing this along! Tutu remains something of a moral authority in Africa, whilst the Dalai Lama remains the face of occupied Tibet.
at 06:58 on May 23rd, 2007
And the rest of the 46 laureates? Just about to fix that list on.
Ego
at 08:22 on May 23rd, 2007
Thanks for updating that, Ego! I admit to being unfamiliar with some of these names, but the very presence of the list tells the story.