The Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize to the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso,
the religious and, at the time, also political leader of the Tibetan people.
The Committee wanted to emphasise the fact that the Dalai Lama in his struggle for the liberation of Tibet consistently opposed the use of violence. He instead advocated peaceful solutions based upon tolerance and mutual respect in order to preserve the historical and cultural heritage of his people.