UN experts seek urgent release of widow of human rights activist Liu Xiaobo
Liu Xia has been under effective house arrest since her husband was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2010
UN human rights experts urged China on Wednesday to release Liu Xia, the widow of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Liu Xiaobo, and allow her to seek treatment for deteriorating health, including travelling abroad.
The appeal came nearly a year after Liu Xiaobo died of liver cancer on July 13, 2017, while in custody, having been jailed in 2009 for “inciting subversion of state power”.
Liu Xia, an artist and poet who suffers from depression, has been under effective house arrest since her husband was awarded the prize in 2010. She has never been charged with any crime and was last seen in public at his funeral accompanied by Chinese authorities.
“We are disturbed by reports of the deteriorating health of Liu Xia,” UN independent experts on enforced disappearances, arbitrary detention, and human rights defenders said in a joint statement.
“She is reportedly physically restricted at an unknown location and suffers from severe psychological distress. We reiterate our call to the Chinese government to disclose her whereabouts and release her.”
China has repeatedly said Liu Xia is free and is accorded all rights guaranteed to her by Chinese law.
However, Beijing-based Western diplomats have said she has been closely monitored by Chinese authorities since her husband’s death and has only been able to meet and speak to friends and family in prearranged phone calls and visits.
