UCAN REPORT: Human rights groups have begun a campaign for the release of Chinese democracy activist and Nobel Peace prize laureate Liu Xiaobo.
The Catholic Justice and Peace Commission (JPC) was joined by other groups in a petition demanding Liu’s freedom.
The
y protested outside the Hong Kong office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China at 5:00 p.m., the same time the Nobel Peace Prize winner’s name was announced in Norway.
Chinese dissident Liu was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his long and non-violent struggle for fundamental human rights in China.
“Awarding Liu the peace prize inspires those who fight for democracy in mainland China,” said Patrick Poon, executive secretary of the Hong Kong-based Chinese Human Rights Lawyers Concern Group.
Poon, a Catholic, believed Liu’s articles on democracy and the Charter 08 will be widely read again and would let many people know how the Chinese government suppressed peaceful democracy fighters.
Protesters also expressed their disapproval over deputy foreign minister Fu Ying’s earlier attempts to exert pressure on the Norwegian Nobel committee.
“Liu’s work fits well to the spirit of the Nobel Peace Prize and Fu’s act was an insult to it,” Poon added.
“How unreasonable and absurd for the Chinese government to curb freedom of speech,” said JPC project officer Or Yan-yan.
“It also shows that China has not caught up with the world but only uses its economic power to suppress others,” she said.
http://www.ucanews.com/2010/10/08/catholics-urge-nobel-prize-winners-release/
The Catholic Justice and Peace Commission (JPC) was joined by other groups in a petition demanding Liu’s freedom.
The
y protested outside the Hong Kong office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China at 5:00 p.m., the same time the Nobel Peace Prize winner’s name was announced in Norway.Chinese dissident Liu was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his long and non-violent struggle for fundamental human rights in China.
“Awarding Liu the peace prize inspires those who fight for democracy in mainland China,” said Patrick Poon, executive secretary of the Hong Kong-based Chinese Human Rights Lawyers Concern Group.
Poon, a Catholic, believed Liu’s articles on democracy and the Charter 08 will be widely read again and would let many people know how the Chinese government suppressed peaceful democracy fighters.
Protesters also expressed their disapproval over deputy foreign minister Fu Ying’s earlier attempts to exert pressure on the Norwegian Nobel committee.
“Liu’s work fits well to the spirit of the Nobel Peace Prize and Fu’s act was an insult to it,” Poon added.
“How unreasonable and absurd for the Chinese government to curb freedom of speech,” said JPC project officer Or Yan-yan.
“It also shows that China has not caught up with the world but only uses its economic power to suppress others,” she said.
http://www.ucanews.com/2010/10/08/catholics-urge-nobel-prize-winners-release/
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