Twenty-six Nobel Laureates have deplored and condemned China's violent crackdown on Tibetan protestors and urged Chinese authorities to exercise restraint.

In a joint statement made public on March 20, 2008, the Laureates also protested against China's campaign to vilify the Dalai Lama, a fellow Nobel Laureate.

Following is the full text and the names of the Laureates who signed it.

We, the undersigned Nobel Laureates, deplore and condemn the Chinese government's violent crackdown on Tibetan protestors. We urge the Chinese authorities to exercise restraint in dealing with these unarmed, peaceful demonstrators.

We protest the unwarranted campaign waged by the Chinese government against our fellow Nobel Laureate, His Holiness the Dalai Lama. Contrary to the repeated claims of Chinese authorities, the Dalai Lama does not seek separation from China, but religious and cultural autonomy. This autonomy is fundamental to the preservation of the ancient Tibetan heritage.

We call upon the Chinese government to resume talks with the Dalai Lama's representatives as soon as possible in order to achieve a peaceful and mutually beneficial solution to the Tibetan issue.

Alexei Abrikosov,Nobel Prize, Physics (2003)

Peter Agre, Nobel Prize, Chemistry (2003)

Baruj Benacerraf, Nobel Prize, Medicine (1980)

Günter Blobel, Nobel Prize, Medicine (1999)

Arvid Carlsson, Nobel Prize, Medicine (2000)

John Coetzee, Nobel Prize, Literature (2003)

Paul J. Crutzen, Nobel Prize, Chemistry (1995)

Clive W.J. Granger, Nobel Prize, Economics (2003)

Paul Greengard, Nobel Prize, Medicine (2000)

Avram Hershko, Nobel Prize, Chemistry (2004)

Roald Hoffman, Nobel Prize, Chemistry (1981)

John Hume, Nobel Prize, Peace (1998)

Brian D. Josephson, Nobel Prize, Physics (1973)

Eric R. Kandel, Nobel Prize, Medicine (2000)

Roger Kornberg, Nobel Prize, Chemistry (2006)

Finn E. Kydland, Nobel Prize, Economics (2004)

Erwin Neher, Nobel Prize, Medicine (1991)

John C. Polanyi, Nobel Prize, Chemistry (1986)

H. David Politzer, Nobel Prize, Physics (2004)

Richard J. Roberts, Nobel Prize, Medicine (1993)

Phillip A. Sharp, Nobel Prize, Medicine (1993)

Jens C. Skou, Nobel Prize, Chemistry (1997)

Wole Soyinka, Nobel Prize, Literature (1986)

Elie Wiesel, Nobel Prize, Peace (1986)

Torsten N. Wiesel, Nobel Prize, Medicine (1981)

Betty Williams, Nobel Prize, Peace (1976)