12 February 2010

Alert

IFJ demands immediate release of Liu Xiaobo


(IFJ/IFEX) - February 11, 2010 - The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) denounced the Beijing High People's Court decision today to uphold an 11-year jail sentence and two years' deprivation of political rights against human rights writer and Nobel Peace Prize nominee Liu Xiaobo.

Liu Xiaobo, 54, was sentenced on December 25 on charges of "inciting subversion of state power" for his involvement in initiating and drafting the Charter 08 political reform petition, sent to China's Government to coincide with the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on December 10, 2008.

His sentence is one of the most severe punishments under the wide-reaching and vague law which was introduced in 1997.

No media were permitted in the court today or to make contact with Liu's wife or representatives from foreign consulates and embassies attending the trial.

"Liu's sentence undermines China's constitutional guarantee of freedom of expression and is a violation of internationally recognised legal instruments such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights," IFJ General Secretary Aidan White said.

China is a signatory to the ICCPR but has not ratified it.

"China is using this law as a tool to silence dissent, by criminalising those who dare to voice their own views and additionally by restricting media reporting on such cases," White said.

According to the Criminal Procedures Law in China, Liu and his lawyer were not permitted to speak during the appeal hearing. Liu's wife, Liu Xia, was allowed to enter the court room under police escort.

The IFJ joins other international press freedom and human rights organisations and national governments in demanding Liu's release, the lifting of restrictions on media reporting of such cases, and an end to China's use of legal mechanisms to curb press freedom.

Source:

International Federation of Journalists
International Press Centre, Residence Palace
Bloc C, second floor, Rue de la Loi, 155
1040 Brussels
Belgium
Phone: +32 2 2352207
Fax: +32 2 2352219
 

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From other IFEX members

PEN American Center reacts to court's rejection of Liu Xiaobo's appeal (PEN American Center)
Prominent dissident writer Liu Xiaobo’s appeal rejected (WiPC)

More on this case

Human Rights Watch calls for release of Nobel laureate and others wrongly jailed, disappeared 7 October 2011 Media group bans journalists from speaking of Xiaobo case 13 December 2010 Get Liu Xiaobo out of prison in time for Nobel prize ceremony 10 November 2010 RSF calls for Liu Xiaobo's release as Chinese president makes state visit to France 8 November 2010 Harassment and propaganda in the three weeks since the Nobel announcement 29 October 2010 IFJ concerned about serious restrictions placed on journalists reporting on Liu and Chen cases 20 October 2010 Arrests, censorship and propaganda in reaction to Liu Xiaobo's Nobel Peace Prize 15 October 2010 News blackout on Liu Xiaobo's Nobel Peace Prize 12 October 2010 Liu Xiaobo, imprisoned Chinese writer, wins Nobel Peace Prize 8 October 2010 Liu Xiaobo transferred to remote prison in Liaoning Province 3 June 2010 Scholars and writers press for Liu Xiaobo's release 12 March 2010 PEN American Center president calls sentencing of Liu Xiaobo a "mockery" and a "scandal" 29 December 2009 Detained writer Liu Xiaobo formally indicted 11 December 2009 After one year in detention, prominent dissident's fate still uncertain 4 December 2009 PEN applauds passage of US congressional resolution for writer Liu Xiaobo 6 October 2009 Activist Liu Xiaobo formally charged, could spend 15 years in jail 29 June 2009 Imprisoned writer Liu Xiaobo to receive top PEN honour 22 April 2009 Further details emerge about detained journalist 12 December 2008 Leading PEN member detained on eve of Human Rights Day; fellow activist detained and released 9 December 2008

China

Microblog regulates, suspends users - again 11 May 2012 Chen Guangcheng reporting censored, obstructed 9 May 2012 China shuts out Al-Jazeera English in Beijing 8 May 2012 Government urged to protect blind human rights defender from extrajudicial violence 27 April 2012 Writer imprisoned for defamation amid rumor crackdown 26 April 2012 See all alerts: China


 
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