This year’s Nobel Peace Prize will be awarded to Chinese human rights activist Liu Xiaobo, who last year was sentenced to 11 years in prison for “inciting subversion of state power” after he authored Charter 08, an online petition by Chinese citizens calling on the Chinese government to improve its policies on democracy and human rights. As Speaker Pelosi said at the time:
The harsh sentencing of Liu Xiaobo demonstrates that Chinese authorities continue to disrespect the rule of law and the freedom of Chinese citizens to express their opinions. Liu Xiaobo is a courageous leader who has been sentenced to eleven years in prison for non-violently expressing his political views in writing. The harshness of his sentence is further proof of the power of his message in China.
Speaker Pelosi will attend the ceremony in Oslo, Norway tomorrow as part of the official delegation on behalf of Liu Xiaobo and his wife Liu Xia:
Yesterday, the House passed a resolution congratulating Liu Xiaobo on being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize (H.Res. 1717) by a vote of 402-1. Speaker Pelosi in strong support of the resolution:
Speaker Pelosi on her attendance at the ceremony:
I am pleased to join with the international community in congratulating Liu Xiaobo as the recipient of the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize. In passing the House resolution yesterday, the American government sent a clear message of support for individuals who stand for non-violence, justice, democratic freedoms and the defense of fundamental human rights. As a courageous advocate of peaceful political change, Liu Xiaobo’s message of reform is an inspiration to the entire world. In the resolution passed this week, the House of Representatives called for his immediate and unconditional release from prison in China.
While in China last year, Speaker Pelosi hand delivered a letter calling for the release of Liu Xiaobo and certain individuals detained or imprisoned solely for exercising internationally-recognized rights guaranteed to them under Chinese law and continues to call for Liu Xiaobo’s immediate and unconditional release.