UN high official dismayed at restrictions over jailed activist Liu Xiaobo, Nobel Prize winner

2010-12-10 06:05:26 GMT+7 (ICT)

UNITED NATIONS (BNO NEWS) -- Navi Pillay, the United Nations High Commissioner for human Rights (UNHCR) on Thursday expressed her dismay over the restrictions imposed by China on the wife and associates of jailed activist Liu Xiaobo, this year's Nobel Prize winner.

"In recent weeks my office has received reports of at least 20 activists being arrested or detained and more than 120 other cases of house arrests, travel restrictions, forced re-educations and other acts of intimidation," said Pillay.

Pillay also reiterated her call for the release of Liu and informed that his wife remains under house arrest which the commissioner considers is in contravention of Chinese national law. China openly opposed the awarding of the Nobel Prize to the incarcerated activist.

Pillay encouraged all nations, including China, that have not ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to do so, and to release any person detained for peacefully exercising their right to the freedom of expression.

Liu was convicted and sentenced to 11 years for inciting subversion of state power in December 2009. He was accused of participating in the drafting of the Charter 08 petition which called for political reforms in China.

"It is my view that the case should be reviewed and Liu be released as soon as possible," said Pillay. "I hope that the Chinese authorities will come to recognize the positive contribution that peaceful advocates like Liu Xiaobo can make to China’s development."

Activist Liu Xiaobo was awarded the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize in October for his long and non-violent struggle for fundamental human rights in China.

Despite international leaders and groups around the world applauding the naming of Liu as the prize winner, China strongly criticized the announcement, describing Liu Xiaobo as a criminal.

-- © BNO News All rights reserved 2010-12-10

I think 14 now, two changed their minds, are not going who received invitations to the ceremony. China has pretty much blacked out news of the event and Russia and China have been pressuring countries not to attend. Does any one know if Thailand got an invitation and if they are going.

It would be interesting to know the stated reasons some nations - besides China - has for not attending...

It would be interesting to know the stated reasons some nations - besides China - has for not attending...

Cuba, Russia and Venezuela among others. India is going though and that was a surprise to many,

Yes, I know of the list of those that decline to attend - I was looking for, if existing, any stated reasons.