China
China Liu Xiaobo's inspiring speech from the dock during his trial in December 2009
The history of the human rights movement is littered with the personal stories of human rights defenders and political activists who have faced the full rigour of the repressive state with courage and conviction.
Liu Xiaobo has remained steadfast despite bearing the brunt of by the entire legal machinery of the state- but his statement during his trial - even in this abridged form - transcends the normal limits of advocacy into literature. His statement is at the same time a visionary statement - a love letter - and a piece of literature.
It reminds us of the daily courage of human rights defenders around the world who put their lives on the line in defenders of the rights of others.












