8 November 2010

Campaigns and Advocacy

RSF calls for Liu Xiaobo's release as Chinese president makes state visit to France


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(RSF/IFEX) - Several Reporters Without Borders representatives were arrested near the Arc de Triomphe on the morning of 5 November 2010 in Paris after opening umbrellas bearing the words "Free Liu Xiaobo" as Chinese President Hu Jintao passed by in a motorcade on his way to deposit a wreath at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

A total of six people – four Reporters Without Borders members and two other human rights activists – were taken to the 8th Arrondissement police station. Around 20 Reporters Without Borders members and a Canal Plus journalist were briefly detained by police at the Franklin Roosevelt metro station. Chinese pro-democracy activist Wang Longmen was among those who were stopped.

The arrests reflect the French government's determination to suppress any reference to human rights in China in order not to offend President Hu during the three-day state visit he began on 4 November. By staging a peaceful demonstration in support of Liu Xiaobo and all the other dissidents, writers and human rights activists detained in China, Reporters Without Borders aimed to tear down this crass and disgraceful veil of silence.

Reporters Without Borders secretary-general Jean-François Julliard said: "It is unthinkable that France, the country of human rights, is saying nothing about the situation of China's dissidents and the systematic repression on those who advocate democracy. How can President Nicolas Sarkozy go back on the promise he made during the 2007 campaign to put human rights at the centre of his foreign policy?"

Despite the realpolitik, the umbrellas defied the silence at the Arc de Triomphe, as did the doves of peace that Reporters Without Borders released on 4 November in the centre of Paris. Both of these demonstrations were a tribute to the courage of Liu Xiaobo, this year's winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, who must be released. The French government must ask President Hu to free him.

Source:

Reporters Without Borders (RSF)
47, rue Vivienne
75002 Paris
France
rsf (@) rsf.org
Phone: +33 1 44 83 84 84
Fax: +33 1 45 23 11 51
@rsf_rwb
 

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From other IFEX members

PEN American Center President Appiah testifies before congress on Liu Xiaobo (PEN American Center)

More on this case

Human Rights Watch calls for release of Nobel laureate and others wrongly jailed, disappeared 7 October 2011 Media group bans journalists from speaking of Xiaobo case 13 December 2010 Get Liu Xiaobo out of prison in time for Nobel prize ceremony 10 November 2010 Harassment and propaganda in the three weeks since the Nobel announcement 29 October 2010 IFJ concerned about serious restrictions placed on journalists reporting on Liu and Chen cases 20 October 2010 Arrests, censorship and propaganda in reaction to Liu Xiaobo's Nobel Peace Prize 15 October 2010 News blackout on Liu Xiaobo's Nobel Peace Prize 12 October 2010 Liu Xiaobo, imprisoned Chinese writer, wins Nobel Peace Prize 8 October 2010 Liu Xiaobo transferred to remote prison in Liaoning Province 3 June 2010 Scholars and writers press for Liu Xiaobo's release 12 March 2010 IFJ demands immediate release of Liu Xiaobo 12 February 2010 PEN American Center president calls sentencing of Liu Xiaobo a "mockery" and a "scandal" 29 December 2009 Detained writer Liu Xiaobo formally indicted 11 December 2009 After one year in detention, prominent dissident's fate still uncertain 4 December 2009 PEN applauds passage of US congressional resolution for writer Liu Xiaobo 6 October 2009 Activist Liu Xiaobo formally charged, could spend 15 years in jail 29 June 2009 Imprisoned writer Liu Xiaobo to receive top PEN honour 22 April 2009 Further details emerge about detained journalist 12 December 2008 Leading PEN member detained on eve of Human Rights Day; fellow activist detained and released 9 December 2008

China

Anti-foreign attitudes bode ill for China correspondents 24 May 2012 Government continues to censor reporting on activist Chen Guangcheng 24 May 2012 Microblog regulates, suspends users - again 11 May 2012 Chen Guangcheng reporting censored, obstructed 9 May 2012 China shuts out Al-Jazeera English in Beijing 8 May 2012 See all alerts: China


Asia and Pacific

MALAYSIA: Authorities urged to drop charges against protest participants 24 May 2012 PAPUA NEW GUINEA: Parties urged to respect media role 24 May 2012 VIETNAM: Call for release of Catholic activists 23 May 2012


 
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