Western Writers Rally for China’s Dissident

By Hyo-Jin Paik
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

NEW YORK, United States– Several prominent American authors gathered by the steps of the New York Public Library rallying for the release of Liu Xiaobo, a famous Chinese literature professor and dissident who was sentenced to 11 years in prison on subversion charges last week.

PEN Writers call for Liu’s release.  Courtesy of CBS.

The rally was organized by the PEN American Center, which is an international human rights group that defends the rights of writers around the globe.

One of the protesters, E.L. Doctorow said, “The civilization of China…can’t move forward when its poets and writers and artists, its thinkers and intellectuals are muzzled in silence.  Under such conditions[,] the genius of a nation withers and dies.”

Liu returned to China in 1989 after giving up his position at Columbia University to participate in the Tiananmen Square protests.  Since then, he has published essays criticizing the Chinese government, especially of its human rights abuses and its strict control of freedom of expression on the Internet and in foreign journals.

Liu’s verdict was handed down on Christmas Day, and Beijing justified imprisoning Liu because “he [Liu] wrote the documents and used the Internet…to slander and urge other people to overthrow our country’s democratic dictatorship…the published documents…[p]eople read them and they have a bad effect.”

However, the coalition of writers who are lobbying for Liu’s release condemned China for its “sorry record of artist intimidation.”

The protesters marched to the Chinese consulate in New York City to deliver a letter opposing Liu’s conviction.

Critics have raised concerns that Liu’s harsh punishment is most likely the Chinese government’s warning against other Chinese activists.  Moreover, many have criticized Beijing for not affording Liu a fair trial since Liu’s trial, which was hastily scheduled, lasted only three hours and the defense was not allowed to present any evidence.

Anthony Appiah, a writer and the president of PEN American Center, left a message for Liu, saying, “Old friend, we will not forget you.  We will not rest until you are free.”
For more information, please see:

Bloomberg – Doctorow, Albee Protest 11-Year Sentence for Chinese Writer Liu – 31 December 2009

CBS – Writers Rally for Jailed Chinese Dissident – 31 December 2009

JoongAng Daily – China’s way on human rights – 30 December 2009

Author: Impunity Watch Archive