2010 Nobel Peace Prize

The 2010 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Liu Xiaobo "for his long and non-violent struggle for fundamental human rights in China." Liu Xiaobo was a Chinese literary critic, writer, professor, and human rights activist who called for political reforms and was involved in campaigns to end communist one-party rule in China.

Background

Liu Xiaobo was born on December 28, 1955, in Changchun, Jilin, China. He became a prominent figure in the Chinese democracy movement and was a key participant in the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989. Following the protests, Liu was imprisoned for his involvement. He continued to advocate for human rights and political reform in China, which led to multiple arrests and imprisonments over the years.

In 2008, Liu Xiaobo was one of the authors of Charter 08, a manifesto calling for political reform, greater human rights, and an end to one-party rule in China. The document was inspired by Czechoslovakia's Charter 77 and was signed by over 300 Chinese intellectuals and human rights activists. Liu was arrested shortly after the publication of Charter 08 and was sentenced to 11 years in prison for "inciting subversion of state power."

Nobel Peace Prize Award

The Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize to Liu Xiaobo on October 8, 2010. The decision was met with international acclaim but was strongly condemned by the Chinese government, which described the award as "an obscenity" and a violation of the principles of the Nobel Peace Prize.

Liu Xiaobo was unable to attend the award ceremony in Oslo, Norway, as he was imprisoned in China. His absence was symbolized by an empty chair on the stage during the ceremony, a powerful image that drew global attention to his plight and the broader issue of human rights in China.

Reactions

The award was praised by many governments and human rights organizations around the world, who saw it as a recognition of the struggle for human rights in China. However, the Chinese government responded with anger, censoring news of the award within China and placing Liu Xiaobo's wife, Liu Xia, under house arrest.

Legacy

Liu Xiaobo's Nobel Peace Prize highlighted the ongoing struggle for human rights in China and brought international attention to the Chinese government's human rights record. Liu Xiaobo remained in prison until his death from liver cancer on July 13, 2017, while still in custody.

Also see

• Charter 08
• Tiananmen Square protests of 1989
• Human rights in China
• Nobel Peace Prize
• Liu Xia