Front Line Defenders
Front Line Defenders mourns the passing of Liu Xiaobo
Front Line Defenders mourns the loss of Liu Xiaobo (刘晓波), writer, Nobel laureate, and human rights defender. Liu Xiaobo, aged 61, died of multiple organ failure on 13 July 2017 at the First Hospital of China Medical University in Shenyang, Liaoning Province. The human rights defender was on medical parole, serving an 11-year prison sentence on charges of “inciting subversion against state power.” Prior to his death, Liu Xiaobo spent two decades in passionate support for the causes of peace, freedom, and human rights in China. In pursuit of these ideals, he gave up an esteemed career, years of his freedom, and ultimately, his life.
FLD Statement on the passing of Liu Xiaobo
Front Line Defenders holds the Chinese government responsible for failing to properly detect and treat Liu Xiaobing’s illness in timely manner sufficient to save his life or ease his suffering. Chinese detention authorities have a recorded history of ignoring symptoms and refusing treatment for serious medical emergencies of human rights defenders in detention, at the cost of their health, well-being, and their lives.
“Liu Xiaobo was an icon of non-violent resistance in defence of human rights. Despite the most ardent attempts of the Chinese government to silence him, Liu demonstrated amazing resilience in his struggle for the dignity and betterment of his fellow citizens.”
- Andrew Anderson, Executive Director of Front Line Defenders
On 12 July, Front Line Defenders joined Amnesty International Ireland outside the Turkish Embassy in Dublin to show solidarity with the ten human rights defenders detained in Turkey last week.
