Dr Hans Blix wins 2007 Sydney Peace Prize

The citation for the award reads: 'Hans Blix, for principled and courageous opposition to proponents of war in Iraq, for life long advocacy of humanitarian law and non violence and for leadership of disarmament programs to rid the world of weapons of terror.'

Alan Cameron, Chair of the Sydney Peace Foundation, says, 'It is highly relevant that in this 10th anniversary year of the Sydney Peace Prize, the jury focussed on universal disarmament as a major peace issue and chose one of the most significant campaigner against the manufacture and possession of arms of all kinds. We are honoured to welcome Dr Blix to Sydney in November.'

When notified of the news, Dr. Blix responded from Stockholm: 'It is with surprise, gratitude and pride that I received notice of my selection as the recipient of the 2007 Sydney Peace Prize. While I am at present deeply engaged in urging a revival of disarmament in line with the recommendations of the Weapons of Mass Destruction Commission (WMD) that I chaired, I am particularly happy that the jury also referred to my work on principles of humanitarian law"¦ It will be a great pleasure to come to Sydney to receive the award, to give the City of Sydney Peace Prize Lecture; and to speak with school and university students and representatives of the media.'

Director of the Sydney Peace Foundation, Professor Emeritus Stuart Rees, says that the choice of Dr Blix 'signals a need for an Australian Government to revive the work of the 1996 Canberra Commission on the Elimination of Nuclear Weapons, although, as chair of the WMD Commission, Hans Blix's interpretation of disarmament ranges from small guns to biological, chemical and nuclear weapons.'

Rees adds: 'It was impressive that other members of the Commission praised Hans Blix for his personal diplomacy and unique skills as chairman. These qualities enabled the Commission to reach a successful outcome.'

Previous recipients of the Sydney Prize - the only international award for peace in Australia and currently worth $50,000 - included the inaugural Sydney recipient and 2006 Nobel Peace Prize winner Professor Muhammad Yunus, Nobel Laureate Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, former Governor General of Australia Sir William Deane, former UN Human Rights Commissioner Mary Robinson, and the celebrated Indian author and human rights campaigner Arundhati Roy.

Dr Blix will give the City of Sydney Peace Prize Lecture on November 7th. He will receive the 2007 Peace Prize at a gala ceremony on November 8th. -University of Sidney