On monday the Nobel Prize committee named Mr. Liu Xiaobo as the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize winner. It was awarded due to "his long and nonviolent struggle for fundamental human rights in China." The Chinese government however is furious over the decision because they feel Liu is nothing more than a criminal who undermines the Chinese communist regime.
Liu is a long time political activist in China, fighting for democracy and human rights. Last year he was arrested and sentenced to eleven years in prison. Although he had been detained and placed under house arrest several times in the past, his co-authorship of a political manifesto entitled Charter 08 which criticized empirical rule, was what eventually earned him his prison sentence. Liu was also present at the 1989 Tiananmen Square demonstrations in which protestors were fired upon by government troops.
After the announcement that Liu had won the prize, his wife Liu Xia was placed under house arrest. Not only was she detained but three armed guards stand outside her house denying entry to all who come by, including a group of foreign diplomats wanting to congratulate Mrs. Liu on her husband’s award. It is also reported that her phone and internet have been cut off. If Mrs. Liu needs to leave her home, she must do so in a police car.
The Chinese government has not taken this bit of news lightly and has stated that it may interfere with China Norway relations. They have also stressed that Liu getting the award goes against the very ideals the award stands for. Not only has the government issued several statements discouraging support of Liu, they have also been monitoring and banning anybody attempting to get together to celebrate his achievement. Time reports that many of the major cell phone companies have gone so far as to ban text messages containing Liu Xiaobo’s name.
Another major political figure, the Dalai Lama, voiced his opinion on the matter saying that the Chinese government does “not appreciate different opinions". He was also directly involved in the decision to give the award to Liu by co signing an article that applauded "his bravery and clarity of thought about China's future." When asked about her situation, Liu’s wife responded that she hopes the award will bring further awareness to the world and assist in spreading human rights in China.
Video of Liu Xia on her husband’s situation:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-11500671
Time: http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2024405,00.html
Associated Press: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jy5n5CDcoNHrqOk6ZihXwoOSuHxgD9IPREGG2?docId=D9IPREGG2
BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-11512775
No comments:
Post a Comment