Liu Xiaobo's Nobel Peace Prize Win Puts Spotlight on China Rights Violations, Says Amnesty International

Human rights organization congratulates latest recipient of prestigious award

WASHINGTON, Oct. 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Amnesty International today congratulated Liu Xiaobo as he was awarded the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize and called on the Chinese authorities to release all prisoners of conscience detained in the country including Liu.

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Liu, a 54-year-old scholar and author, who won the prize for his outstanding contribution to human rights, is currently serving an 11-year sentence on charges of "inciting subversion of state power" imposed after an unfair trial.

He is a prominent government critic who has repeatedly called for human rights protections, political accountability and democratization in China.

"Liu Xiaobo is a worthy winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, we hope it will keep the spotlight on the struggle for fundamental freedoms and concrete protection of human rights that Liu and many other activists in China are dedicated to," said Catherine Baber, deputy Asia-Pacific director at Amnesty International.

"This award can only make a real difference if it prompts more international pressure on China to release Liu, along with the numerous other prisoners of conscience languishing in Chinese jails for exercising their right to freedom of expression," said Baber.

"As last year's Nobel Peace Prize recipient, President Obama should publicly congratulate Liu to highlight the dire state of human rights in China," said T. Kumar, director of international advocacy for Amnesty International USA. "Amnesty International urges President Obama to call upon Chinese President Hu Jintao to release Liu immediately and unconditionally."

Former president of the Czech Republic Vaclav Havel and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate the Dalai Lama were among those who supported the nomination of Liu for the 2010 award.

Amnesty International was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1977.

For more information contact the AIUSA press office at or go to www.amnestyusa.org.

SOURCE Amnesty International

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