Human Rights Day: UN asks to release Liu Xiaobo

New York, Dec 10: As the world celebrates International Human Rights Day on Dec 10, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay has asked China to release the jailed Nobel Peace Prize Winner, Liu Xiaobo.

Navi Pillay said that Liu Xiaobo, who is sentenced for 11 year prison for a political revolt against China, is an example of a human rights defender who is paying a heavy price for his activism.

Liu Xiabao participated in the 1989 Tiananmen Square protest in Beijing and is one of China's most prominent activists fighting for greater political freedom and human rights.

Navi Pillay added that she will hold talks with Chinese officials for the release of Liu Xiaobo.

Meanwhile, the Nobel prize award ceremony will be held in Oslo on Friday, Dec 10. The Nobel Committee will award Peace prize to Liu Xiaobo in his absence. Committee will leave an empty chair for Liu Xiaobo.

Nobel Committee chairman Thorbjoern Jagland said awarding the peace prize to Liu is not a protest against China.

United States also asked China to release Liu Xiaobo, but China retorted calling them "arrogant and rude."

OneIndia News