A big congratulations to David Matas (Beyond Borders – the ECPAT group in Canada - board member and legal counsel) on his nomination for a Nobel Peace Prize.
Matas's enduring activism on behalf of those suffering human rights injustices is deserving of this highly esteemed recognition. Matas and his research partner, David Kilgour, a federal Alberta MP between 1976 and 2006, have been nominated for their investigation into allegations that Falun Gong followers in China are being murdered for their hearts, kidneys, corneas, livers and other organs.
Matas, 66, says he’s honoured by the nomination. “The nomination helps highlight the work that David and I have been doing. It becomes another means of advocacy and promotion to bring attention to the problem and to end the abuse,” says Matas. Matas says he doubts his Nobel prize nomination will have much impact on his day-to-day practice because most of the people he deals with speak English as a second (or more) language and don’t read what’s in the newspaper. He says he considers his volunteer work as a form of continuing legal education. Matas, who is single, is an avid swimmer and gets in the pool every second day, whether he’s at home or on the road, to swim one kilometre. He has been a sole practitioner since 1979. The award’s winner will be announced in October and the presentation ceremony will be held in December.