By Tenzin Monlam
DHARAMSHALA, July 12: Expressing their solidarity with the ailing Chinese activist and Nobel laureate Liu Xiaobo, Gu-Chu-Sum Movement for Tibet and Students for a Free Tibet (SFT) today organized a campaign demanding that the Chinese government guarantee Liu Xiaobo the freedom to travel abroad for treatment.
“Liu Xiaobo must be allowed to travel abroad to receive medical treatment, this is our main demand today,” said Namgyal Dolkar, President of Gu-Chu-Sum, “We demand right to life for Liu Xiaobo. Chinese government should be held accountable for any case of mishap, the International leaders and the UN need to intervene in the matter to pressure China.”
She also added that as an organization of former Tibetan political prisoners, they empathize with the torture an individual suffers in Chinese prisons, especially those who dare to raise their voice and speak against the government.
Liu was released on medical parole on June 26 to receive treatment for liver cancer, which is said to be in its late-stage. He is currently being treated at a hospital in Shenyang of Liaoning Province.
“The Chinese Communist Party’s treatment of Liu Xiaobo is a clear evidence of their draconian and arbitrary rule. We demand a guarantee that Liu Xiaobo will have the freedom to choose where and what medical treatment to be received,” said Tenzin Tselha, National Director at SFT (India).
The NGOs have also organized an online petition for the 61-year-old activist, who was sentenced to 11 years’ imprisonment in 2009 for ‘inciting subversion of state power’ following his involvement in drafting a petition known as ‘Charter 08’, which called for political reforms in China.
Members of the NGOs held a placard of Liu Xiaobo with important years of his life, while reading out what happened in those years including 2010, when he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his non-violent struggle for fundamental human rights in China.
According to the latest information, the Nobel Peace Laureate’s condition is deteriorating after ‘shock and organ failure’.
154 Nobel Laureates including His Holiness the Dalai Lama have urged the Chinese President Xi Jinping to allow Liu Xiaobo and Liu Xia to travel to the US for medical treatment.
Tibetan President (Sikyong) Dr. Lobsang Sangay had also urged Chinese government to allow him to travel abroad to seek medical treatment.
