Pelosi to Attend Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony
Speaker Nancy Pelosi will attend the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in Oslo, Norway, as part of the official delegation on behalf of Liu Xiaobo and his wife Liu Xia, informed the U.S. Office of the Speaker of the House.
This year’s Nobel Peace Prize will be awarded to Chinese human rights activist Liu Xiaobo, who last year was sentenced to 11 years in prison for “inciting subversion of state power” after he authored Charter 08, an online petition by Chinese citizens calling on the Chinese government to improve its policies on democracy and human rights.
[ Also Read: Human Rights Outfit Welcomes Suu Kyi Release ]In October, Nobel Committee had announced the Nobel Peace Prize for Liu Xiaobo for his long and non-violent struggle for fundamental human rights in China. (Read: Nobel Peace Prize for Chinese Human Rights Activist)
“I am pleased to join with the international community in congratulating Liu Xiaobo as the recipient of the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize,” Pelosi (pictured above) said.
“In passing the House resolution, the American government sent a clear message of support for individuals who stand for non-violence, justice, democratic freedoms and the defense of fundamental human rights. As a courageous advocate of peaceful political change, Liu Xiaobo’s message of reform is an inspiration to the entire world. In the resolution passed this week, the House of Representatives called for his immediate and unconditional release from prison in China.”
[ Also Read: Wikileaks: All Leaks are being Plugged ]Meanwhile, international communities believe that Chinese government officials continue to trample human rights and bully other nations to boycott the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in Oslo, Norway.
Since the Peace Prize announcement, Chinese authorities have held even Liu’s wife under house arrest and will not allow her to attend the ceremonies. (Read: China Bullying Others to Boycott Nobel Ceremony)
The ceremony will be held today, Dec. 10 at 1 p.m. local time at Oslo City Hall.
On Wednesday, the House of Representatives passed a resolution to congratulate Liu Xiaobo on the award of the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize.
Photo courtesy: Office of the Speaker
