Human Rights is Big Winner in Today's Nobel Peace Prize Selection

October 8, 2010

OSLO, Norway – This morning Chinese prisoner of conscience Liu Xiaobo was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Liu is a writer and human rights defender who was chosen by the Nobel Committee for "his long and non-violent struggle for fundamental human rights in China."

Imprisoned since December of 2008, Liu's crime was to organize the Charter 08 document—a manifesto signed by hundreds of Chinese intellectuals and activists that petitioned Beijing for greater freedom and human rights. Published on December 10, 2008—the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights—Charter 08 was inspired by the Charter 77 movement that HRF chairman Václav Havel led during Czechoslovakia's struggle with dictatorship.

Through Charter 08 Liu demanded freedom of expression, free and fair elections, freedom of association, an independent judiciary, freedom of religion, and other fundamental human rights for the Chinese people. In a public statement issued at his sentencing, Liu said he has "long been aware that when an independent intellectual stands up to an autocratic state, step one toward freedom is often a step into prison... now I am taking that step; and true freedom is that much nearer."

"The newest peace laureate could not be more deserving," said HRF president Thor Halvorssen. "His commitment to human rights is extraordinary and he embodies the ongoing struggle against Chinese tyranny. The Nobel Committee chose wisely and should be congratulated for bringing needed attention to the intolerable cruelty of a regime that has violated human rights and shattered peace in unspeakable ways for more than a half-century."

"In the past few years as the prize has gone to environmentalists, political activists, and public office holders, it is refreshing, encouraging, and about time that it once again has gone to a human rights advocate," Halvorssen continued. "To paraphrase Nobel Committee chairman Thorbjørn Jagland, there is an inexorable connection between human rights and peace."

Contact: Thor Halvorssen, Human Rights Foundation, (212) 246.8486, info@thehrf.org