World leaders, governments, and international organizations around the world have reacted to the decision of the Norwegian Nobel Committee to award the prize to the jailed human rights campaigner. Below, following the official announcement is an incomplete list of these reactions, edited and amended on the basis of a BBC report.
The Nobel Peace Prize for 2010
The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award the Nobel Peace Prize for 2010 to Liu Xiaobo for his long and non-violent struggle for fundamental human rights in China. The Norwegian Nobel Committee has long believed that there is a close connection between human rights and peace. Such rights are a prerequisite for the "fraternity between nations" of which Alfred Nobel wrote in his will.
Over the past decades, China has achieved economic advances to which history can hardly show any equal. The country now has the world's second largest economy; hundreds of millions of people have been lifted out of poverty. Scope for political participation has also broadened.
China's new status must entail increased responsibility. China is in breach of several international agreements to which it is a signatory, as well as of its own provisions concerning political rights. Article 35 of China's constitution lays down that "Citizens of the People's Republic of China enjoy freedom of speech, of the press, of assembly, of association, of procession and of demonstration". In practice, these freedoms have proved to be distinctly curtailed for China's citizens.
For over two decades, Liu Xiaobo has been a strong spokesman for the application of fundamental human rights also in China. He took part in the Tiananmen protests in 1989; he was a leading author behind Charter 08, the manifesto of such rights in China which was published on the 60th anniversary of the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the 10th of December 2008. The following year, Liu was sentenced to eleven years in prison and two years' deprivation of political rights for “inciting subversion of state power". Liu has consistently maintained that the sentence violates both China's own constitution and fundamental human rights.
The campaign to establish universal human rights also in China is being waged by many Chinese, both in China itself and abroad. Through the severe punishment meted out to him, Liu has become the foremost symbol of this wide-ranging struggle for human rights in China.
Oslo, October 8, 2010
Chinese Foreign Ministry
The Nobel Peace Prize should be awarded to people who "promote national harmony and international friendship, who promote disarmament and peace". Those are Mr Nobel's wishes.
Liu Xiaobo is a criminal who violated Chinese law.
It's a complete violation of the principles of the prize and an insult to the Peace Prize itself for the Nobel committee to award the prize to such a person.
In recent years, Chinese-Norwegian relations have maintained sound development, which is conducive to the two countries and two peoples' interests.
The Nobel Committee awarding Liu this prize, which runs contrary to the principle of the Peace Prize, will bring damage to two-way relations.
Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg
I would like to congratulate Liu Xiaobo, who has been awarded the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize for his work to promote democracy and human rights.
The Nobel Committee's decision directs a spotlight on the human rights situation in China, and underscores the links between development, democracy and universal human rights. Liu Xiaobo has been awarded the prize for defending freedom of expression and democracy in a way that deserves attention and respect.
China has made huge economic and social progress over the last decades. The standard of living has improved in step with these developments, and the Chinese people have gained greater individual freedom. However, there are still challenges that need to be addressed with regard to several universal human rights.
Norway enjoys close and extensive cooperation with China. Our ties are longstanding and cover all the areas that link our countries together. Discussions of human rights issues are part of these relations.
US President Barack Obama
Last year, I noted that so many others who have received the award had sacrificed so much more than I. That list now includes Mr Liu, who has sacrificed his freedom for his beliefs.
By granting the prize to Mr Liu, the Nobel Committee has chosen someone who has been an eloquent and courageous spokesman for the advance of universal values through peaceful and non-violent means, including his support for democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.
As I said last year in Oslo, even as we respect the unique culture and traditions of different countries, America will always be a voice for those aspirations that are universal to all human beings.
Over the last 30 years, China has made dramatic progress in economic reform and improving the lives of its people, lifting hundreds of millions out of poverty. But this award reminds us that political reform has not kept pace, and that the basic human rights of every man, woman and child must be respected.
We call on the Chinese government to release Mr Liu as soon as possible.
Václav Havel, former president of Czech Republic
“I congratulate Mr Liou Xiaobo on the award of this year’s Nobel Peace Prize and I rejoice over the fact that he is historically the first Chinese citizen to receive it. Liu Xiaobo is the prototype of committed citizen to whom such award is due – that, too, is the reason why, together with friends, I have proposed his nomination and supported it during the whole nomination period. I would like to repeat my appreciation of the Charter 08 initiative, as well as of all its signatories and their families. Appreciation is due also to the Norwegian Nobel Committee for resisting the warnings aired by Chinese authorities and refusing to put economic interests above human rights.” http://bit.ly/cR0ar6
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's office
The award of the Nobel Peace Prize to Liu Xiaobo of China is a recognition of the growing international consensus for improving human rights practices and culture around the world.
The secretary-general has consistently emphasised the importance of human rights, along with development and peace and security, as the three main pillars of the work of the United Nations.
Over the past years, China has achieved remarkable economic advances, lifted millions out of poverty, broadened political participation and steadily joined the international mainstream in its adherence to recognised human rights instruments and practices.
The secretary-general expresses his sincere hope that any differences on this decision will not detract from advancement of the human rights agenda globally or the high prestige and inspirational power of the award.
Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou
This is not only a personal honour for Liu but it has major historic significance for China's human rights development and the global Chinese society.
China's economic developments have impressed the world and it would win the recognition of Taiwanese people and the international community if it can make progress and a breakthrough in human rights issues.
UN Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay
I welcome the award because it recognises not only the prominence of Liu Xiaobo, whose release I have often called for, but it recognises the very important role of human rights defenders not only in China but in many parts of the world, where for bringing up human rights issues, calling for reform, they are being punished in various ways.
UN Human Rights Experts
Four UN experts* today added their voices to those welcoming the decision of the Nobel Committee, on Friday, to award the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize to Liu Xiaobo, and urged for his immediate release.
Liu Xiaobo participated in the Tiananmen Square demonstrations in Beijing in 1989, worked as a professor at Beijing Normal University, and co-authored the Charter 08 document which called for multiparty democracy and greater respect for human rights in the country.
“Liu Xiaobo is a courageous human rights defender who has continuously and peacefully advocated for greater respect for human rights in the People’s Republic of China. We welcome the recognition of his work,” stated the experts.
“For many years, we have expressed to the Government of the People’s Republic of China concerns regarding violations of Liu Xiaobo’s fundamental human rights,” noted the experts. “This includes his detention in October 1997 and the sentence of re-education through labour for speaking out about the country’s one-party political system, found to be arbitrary in a decision** adopted by the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention.”
Most recently, Liu Xiaobo was convicted by the Beijing No.1 Municipal Court for “inciting subversion of State power” and, on 25 December 2009, was sentenced to 11 years in prison and two years’ deprivation of political rights. “Such a harsh sentence for his peaceful activities in drafting and organizing the signing of Charter 08 is a clear violation of international human rights standards on the right to freedom of expression,” the experts stated. They also noted that there were many irregularities with the trial which did not conform to international standards regarding the right to a fair and public hearing.
“On this occasion, we appeal to the Government of the People’s Republic of China to release all persons detained for peacefully exercising their right to freedom of expression and to respect the spirit of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which the Government is a signatory,” said the experts. “We encourage the Government to take the final step and ratify this important international instrument.”
German government spokesman
The [German] government would like to see him released soon and receive his prize in person. The government has pressed for his release in the past and will continue to do so.
He is a brave man, a man who wants to advance democracy and human rights in his country, but one who knows and has always said that this would be a difficult and drawn-out process that should stay peaceful whatever happens.
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner
This decision embodies the defence of human rights everywhere in the world. France, like the European Union, expressed its concern after his arrest and has called for him to be released on a number of occasions. It reiterates that appeal.
British Foreign Office
The decision to award the Nobel Peace Prize to Mr Liu Xiaobo shines a spotlight on the situation of human rights defenders worldwide.
British Ministers, including Foreign Secretary William Hague, have raised his case in China since his imprisonment in 2009. We continue to call for his release and to champion freedom of expression in all countries.
European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso
The decision of the Nobel Peace Prize Committee is a strong message of support to all those around the world who, sometimes with great personal sacrifice, are struggling for freedom and human rights. These values are at the core of the European Union.
Chinese Human Rights Defenders
(Chinese Human Rights Defenders, October 8, 2010) – CHRD hails the Nobel Committee’s announcement and congratulates the imprisoned activist, writer and intellectual, Liu Xiaobo (刘晓波), on being awarded the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize. The Nobel Peace Prize honors Liu for his decades-long dedication to promoting democracy and human rights in China. Mr. Liu is serving an 11-year prison sentence for “inciting subversion of state power,” primarily for his support ofCharter 08, a citizens’ manifesto calling for democratic reform published in December 2008 to mark the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
“The Prize honors the more than 10,000 Chinese citizens who have bravely signed on in support of the ideas expressed in Charter 08 and all prisoners of conscience in China,” said Zhang Zuhua, a Beijing-based activist who originally drafted Charter 08. “These principles of nonviolence, equality, and respect for human rights could not be more aligned with the values of the Nobel Peace Prize.”
Of the 303 original signatories to Charter 08, many were interrogated by the police, and several had their homes raided and personal property confiscated. Others have been put under house arrest or police surveillance. The government has tried to censor the document within China by removing it from websites and online forums. The awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Liu will undoubtedly introduce Charter 08 to a new and wider audience.
“Awarding the Peace Prize to Liu Xiaobo also honors all Chinese human rights defenders—Chen Guangcheng, Hu Jia, Gao Zhisheng, and countless others—who have suffered a great deal for advocating human rights,” noted Renee Xia, CHRD’s International Director. “We can only hope that the Peace Prize will add momentum to the efforts for their freedom and encouragement for their long road ahead,” said Xia.
CHRD specifically wishes to thank those who have worked hard to nominate Liu as well as those who have advocated on his behalf, especially the former Czech President Václav Havel. CHRD commends the Nobel Peace Prize Committee for standing up to the Chinese government, which tried to influence its decision by threatening severe consequences for diplomatic relations with the Norwegian government.
CHRD asks US President Obama, winner of the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize, to ask Chinese President Hu Jintao to free Mr. Liu at the G20 summit in South Korea on November 11 and 12.
Human Rights Watch
(New York, October 8, 2010) – The awarding of the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize to the Chinese writer and human rights activist Liu Xiaobo underscores the urgent need for rights reforms in China, Human Rights Watch said today.
“This award will no doubt infuriate the Chinese government by putting its human rights record squarely back into the international debate,” said Sophie Richardson, Asia advocacy director at Human Rights Watch. “But this Nobel Prize honors not only Liu’s unflinching advocacy; it honors all those in China who struggle daily to make the government more accountable.”
“The Nobel Committee made an important decision this year to highlight a reality few want to acknowledge about China – that its government continues to persecute human rights advocates, lawyers, and journalists,” said Richardson. “Liu Xiaobo epitomizes the Nobel Peace Prize ideals by never deviating from his belief in peacefully expressing universal ideals and speaking truth to power.”
“The Chinese government should see Liu Xiaobo as the Nobel Committee clearly does: not as an enemy or an embarrassment, but rather as someone whose courageous advocacy embodies the best of China,” said Richardson.
Amnesty International
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 Xiaobo and many other activists in China are dedicated to.
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.
The Dalai Lama
I would like to offer my heart-felt congratulations to Mr Liu Xiaobo for being awarded this year's Nobel Peace Prize.
Awarding the Peace Prize to him is the international community's recognition of the increasing voices among the Chinese people in pushing China towards political, legal and constitutional reforms.
Desmond M. Tutu and Václav Havel
On Friday, the writer Liu Xiaobo was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize
for his more than two decades of calling for democratic change in
China.
Immediately, the Chinese government responded by calling him a
criminal and accusing the Norwegian Nobel Committee of blasphemy.
Having already sentenced Liu to 11 years in prison, it moved quickly
on Friday to cordon off his wife, Liu Xia, from the rest of the
world, surrounding her with security agents in their Beijing
apartment. We have seen this before: in the dark days of apartheid,
under the long shadow of the Iron Curtain; whenever we took a small
step forward in securing the freedom of our people, we were stripped
of our own.
As we write today, Liu remains cloistered in a remote prison in
northeast China. Liu’s present incarceration—it is his fourth—came
after he co-authored Charter 08, which calls on the Chinese
government to institute democratic reforms and guarantee the
freedoms of assembly, religion, and expression. Though Charter 08
was modeled after Czechoslovakia’s Charter ‘77, the fundamental
values it invokes are no more Western than they are Chinese.
We nominated Liu for the Nobel Peace Prize this year because of the
universality of his call for fundamental freedoms for his people.
At its core, Charter 08 asks the Chinese government to honor those
rights already enshrined in the Chinese Constitution. The government
already willingly signed the International Covenant on Civil and
Political Rights and ratified the International Covenant on Economic
and Social Rights. Just last week, Premier Wen Jiabao, acknowledged
that, “Freedom of speech is indispensable . . . The people’s wishes
for, and needs for, democracy and freedom are irresistible.”
This need not be a moment of shame or insult for China. This should
be a moment of pride, celebrating that one of China’s own is
recognized as the world’s greatest contributor to that which all
nations seek: peace. It is an affirmation of humankind's oldest
living language that Liu’s words in Charter 08, Chinese words, could
inspire such admiration. It is a testament to the strength and
courage of the Chinese people that Liu’s actions have earned him
such widespread respect.
This is an opportunity for China to embrace its newfound standing in
the world and turn the page on a century of victimization. We know
there are many wrongs that have been perpetrated against China and
its people throughout history. But awarding the Nobel Peace Prize to
Liu is not one of them. Nor is the peaceful call for reform from the
more than 10,000 Chinese citizens who dared to sign Charter 08.
More than at any other time in history, the world looks to China as
a leader. This is an opportunity to show that China, as it has been
for thousands of years, is a forward-looking nation. If it keeps Liu
behind bars, the Chinese government is no more progressive than the
ever paranoid and closeted Burmese junta, the only other regime with
the gall to lock away another recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize,
Aung San Suu Kyi. Release Liu, and China continues its impressive
emergence on the world stage. It has helped keep the global economy
afloat; now it can show the world that it also has the confidence to
face criticism and embrace change.
China has done it before. Thirty years ago, while we—like Liu
today—were still being punished simply for speaking our minds, the
Chinese government opened up its economy and unleashed the
industriousness and ingenuity of the Chinese people on the world’s
markets. The world, in turn, has watched with awe as China has
pulled itself out of poverty and into a thriving, dynamic future.
This is an opportunity for China to open up once again, to give its
people the ability to compete in the marketplace of ideas where,
surely, they will prove just as extraordinary.
We know this because we have seen this before. We have seen it in
the churches of Soweto and the theaters of Prague, and in the hushed
corners of freedom all over the world, and we know how it ends. We
are able to write today, free of fear and full of hope, because in
the end, we won our freedom back, and so did our people. We know
that in time, Liu, and the Chinese people, will win their freedom.
After Liu's sentencing last year, he had a simple statement
released: "I have long been aware that when an independent
intellectual stands up to an autocratic state, step one toward
freedom is often a step into prison," it said. "Now I am taking that
step; and true freedom is that much nearer."
This is an opportunity for the Chinese government. It can continue
to fight a losing battle, against the forces of democracy and
freedom that its own Premier has called “irresistible.”
Or it can stand on the side of justice, and free Liu Xiaobo.
Guardians of Charter 77 Legacy & Czech Helsinki Committee
Dear friends from Charter 08, dear Mrs. Liu Xia,
As the guardians of the legacy of Charter 77 we, in the name of the activists and signatories of Charter 77 and the Czech Helsinki Committee that also originated in the pre-1990 era, send our congratulations on the occasion of the Nobel Peace Prize being awarded to Liu Xiaobo.
We are immensely happy with the awarding of the prize. Please relay to Liu Xiaobo our hope that the Nobel Prize will aid in gaining his quick release from jail, and also in bringing about further concessions from the political state authorities, as well as acknowledgement of human dignity and protection of human rights. As a part of a world-wide effort we will urge for the People’s Republic of China to ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, 12 years after the Chinese government signed it. By doing this, China will commit to upholding the rights enumerated in the covenant. This covenant, along with the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, is a strong link between Charter 77 and Charter 08, between Czechoslovak and the Chinese people. Both of the covenants were an inspiration for both of our charters.
Just as you, we are convinced that Chinese citizens should be guaranteed their basic rights and democratic freedoms, and that Charter 08 advocates the protection of these civil rights.
We wish to help you in this cause with all that is within our power.
We send you brotherly greetings
Prague, 11 Oct 2010
Guardians of the legacy of Charter 77: Rudolf Battěk, Jiří Gruntorád and Dana Němcová;
Chair of the Czech Helsinki Committee, Anna Šabatová
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