Liu Xiaobo

We're thrilled to learn that imprisoned Chinese writer and activist Liu Xiaobo has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

Liu Xiaobo is one of China's most outspoken advocates for human rights and democratic reform. He is currently serving an 11-year prison sentence for coauthoring Charter 08, an historic appeal for democracy, human rights, and a multi-party state in China released in December 2008.

Liu Xiaobo is also a true friend of Tibet. In the past, he has called on the Chinese government to reform its policies in Tibet and in the aftermath of the 2008 Uprising in Tibet, he coauthored the "Twelve Suggestions on Dealing with the Tibetan Situation," which called for freedom of expression and other rights to be respected in Tibet. In a statement this morning, Liu Xiaobo's wife, Liu Xia, thanked the Dalai Lama for nominating him for this prestigious award.

At a time when world leaders, governments, and other international institutions are softening their approach to human rights and Tibet with the Chinese government, the Norwegian Nobel Committee's decision is highly commendable. Please join Students for a Free Tibet in congratulating Liu Xiaobo and calling on governments around the world to follow the Norwegians' lead by supporting human rights and freedom.

TAKE ACTION: Sign your name to SFT's statement on Liu Xiaobo's Nobel Peace Prize. We will deliver the signed statement to your government leaders.


You can also print and send this statement to your political representatives.

Read more about global reactions to today's announcement.

Students for a Free Tibet's Statement on Liu Xiaobo's Nobel Peace Prize



October 8, 2010

Students for a Free Tibet congratulates jailed Chinese writer and activist Liu Xiaobo on being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize today and joins the international community in calling for his immediate release from prison.

Fellow Nobel Laureates His Holiness the Dalai Lama and U.S. President Barack Obama have already issued statements urging the Chinese government to release Liu Xiaobo.

Students for a Free Tibet welcomes the Nobel Committee's decision to grant this prestigious award to Liu Xiaobo, especially in light of the diplomatic threats issued by the Chinese government to Norway in the lead up to today's announcement.

We commend the Nobel Committee for the moral leadership and political courage they demonstrated through this action. We call on governments around the world to follow their example by publicly pressing the Chinese government to release Liu Xiaobo and take meaningful steps to implement the political and human rights reforms that Liu and other Chinese and Tibetan advocates are risking their lives to promote.

Sign your name to this statement.

Thank you for taking action in support of human rights and freedom in China and Tibet.

With hope,

Tendor, Kate, Tendolkar, Mary-Kate, Stefanie and all of us here at SFT HQ