According to Chinese Human Rights Defenders (CHRD), on December 25, Chinese dissident and principal author of “Charter ‘08,” Liu Xiaobo, was convicted of “inciting subversion of state power” and sentenced to 11 years in prison.  CHRD asserts that Liu’s conviction was based entirely on his writings, including “Charter ’08,” a public appeal calling for bold reforms that promote democracy and human rights in China.

Since Liu was arrested in December 2008, the judicial process of his case has been marred by several rights violations: Liu was not allowed to fully present his case, and the trial itself was, for the most part, closed to the public.  Only Liu’s brother and brother-in-law were allowed to attend.

CHRD is calling for Liu’s immediate and unconditional release.

For more information from CHRD, go to: http://crd-net.org/Article/Class9/Class10/200912/20091225123444_19092.html

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