Who’s Who: Liu Xiaobo – Jailed Dissident

Global Vox, Hong Kong Vox — By Lily Lee on January 12, 2010 at 10:19 pm

Vox Asia – Dissident Liu Xiaobo is a leading human rights activist in China. His human rights work has gained international recognition but has led to his arrest and detention several times over the past 20 years. Liu was a participant in the 1989 student movement in Tiananmen Square.

Liu was detained on December 8 last year after signing Charter 08, a manifesto released on the 60th anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, calling for human rights, freedom of speech, and free elections in China.

He was charged with “inciting subversion of state power” and sentenced on Christmas Day to 11 years in prison and deprivation of his political rights for two years.

His sentence ignited a wave of criticism from governments and human rights groups around the world and demands for his immediate release.

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Liu Xiaobo (劉曉波)
Age: 54
Nationality: Chinese
Hometown: Changchung, Jilin Province
Education: Jilin University and Beijing Normal University
Activities: Writer, political commentator, human rights activist

Photo Credit: Kees Metselaar: Activists in Hong Kong demand China release Liu Xiaobo