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International Parliamentarians (INPaT) Join Call for Liu Xiaobo's Release
13.10.2010
A network of parliamentarians in more than 30 countries applauded the Norwegian Nobel Committee for making the right choice of awarding the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize to Liu Xiaobo today, and joined the international call for his immediate release from prison.
"The peace prize award to Liu Xiaobo represents a recognition of human rights defenders and advocates of free speech and democratic rights who work under a very difficult political environment in the People's Republic of China, including Tibetans, Uyghurs and Inner Mongolians," said Co-Chair of the International Network of Parliamentarians on Tibet (INPaT) Mr. Matteo Mecacci from Rome. "As we congratulate Liu Xiaobo, we add our voice for his release from incarceration."
INPaT acknowledges that with regard to the grave human rights situation prevailing in Tibet, Liu Xiaobo supports His Holiness the Dalai Lama's Middle Path Approach policy that strives to realise a genuine autonomy for the Tibetan people within the framework of the Constitution of China.
Following the 2008 Tibetan Uprising, Liu Xiaobo joined Chinese scholars to sign a document called, ""Twelve Suggestions on Dealing with the Tibetan Situation" which appealed: "We hold that we must eliminate animosity and bring about national reconciliation, not continue to increase divisions between nationalities. A country that wishes to avoid the partition of its territory must first avoid divisions among its nationalities. Therefore, we appeal to the leaders of our country to hold direct dialogue with the Dalai Lama. We hope that the Chinese and Tibetan people will do away with the misunderstandings between them, develop their interactions with each other, and achieve unity. Government departments as much as popular organizations and religious figures should make great efforts toward this goal."
INPaT believes that today's award of the Nobel Peace Prize to Liu Xiaobo is not only a sign of hope for human rights defenders around the world but also a clear message that the international community must hold the Chinese authorities accountable on obligation to international human rights standards.
We fully support the Nobel Committee's view that "China's new status must entail increased responsibility" when it is in breach of several international agreements to which it is a signatory, as well as of its own provisions concerning political rights. The Committee recalled that: Article 35 of China's constitution lays down that "Citizens of the People's Republic of China enjoy freedom of speech, of the press, of assembly, of association, of procession and of demonstration".
Matteo Mecacci, Co-Chair, INPaT
Thomas Mann, Co-Chair, INPaT
8 October, 2010
Amsterdam
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