Secretary of State John Kerry released a statement Monday urging the Chinese to release Nobel laureate and writer Liu Xiaobo.
Xiaobo was imprisoned in 2009 for involvement of the organizing of a petition calling for the end of China’s one party rule. He was also involved in the 1989 pro-Democracy protests in Tiananmen Square.
"Yesterday marked the fifth anniversary of Nobel laureate and writer Liu Xiaobo’s detention," Kerry said. "The United States is deeply concerned that Chinese authorities continue to imprison Liu Xiaobo, as well as other activists, such as Xu Zhiyong, for peacefully exercising their universal right to freedom of expression. Equally concerning is the nearly three-year politically motivated house arrest of Liu Xiaobo’s wife, Liu Xia."
"We strongly urge Chinese authorities to release Liu Xiaobo, to end Liu Xia’s house arrest, and to guarantee to Liu Xiaobo and his family members all internationally recognized human rights protections and freedoms."