Amnesty activists commemorated one week after the passing of Liu Xiaobo, a Chinese human rights defender who received the Nobel Peace Prize.

Amnesty International Thailand activists gathered opposite the Embassy of The People's Republic of China in The Kingdom of Thailand in order to lay flowers commemorating the passing of Liu Xiaobo, a human rights and democracy activist, prisoner of conscience and the first Chinese person who received the Nobel Peace Prize. Liu Xiaobo died of cancer on 13th July 2017 his imprisonment in China. The activists put white chrysanthemums in front of Liu Xiaobo's portrait and held message sign encouraging his family.

Mrs. Piyanuch Kotsan, Director of Amnesty International Thailand stated, “today, we are here to commemorate the passing of Liu Xiaobo, the brave who stood for human rights principles and democracy. He is an inspiration to millions of people around the world to stand up for freedom of expression and justice, even in oppressed circumstances. In addition, Amnesty International has requested the Chinese authority to release Liu Xia, Liu Xiaobo's wife, after she has been confined and her freedom has been threatened”.

Liu Xiaobo was a lecturer at a world-class university. He participated in the large rally claiming for democracy at Tiananmen Square and had been arrested for criticizing the Communist Government of China several times. His latest arrest was in 2009 when he was charged with "instigating the undermining of state power”. He was sentenced 11-year of imprisonment and politically disqualified for two years. He received the Nobel Peace Prize during his imprisonment in 2010.

On 13th July 2017, Liu Xiaobo died of cancer at the age of 61 while being treated for last-stage liver cancer at the hospital in the city of Senyang. Amnesty and certain countries had previously attempted to request the Chinese authority to release him for appropriate treatment, but the authority denied.

Liu Xia, his wife, has been confined since 2010 after disclosing information concerning the injustice that she and her husband had experienced.

Amnesty International around the world would like to express deepest condolences for the passing of Liu Xiaobo, an important person who inspired human rights activists around the world, and request the Chinese authority to set Liu Xia free.

Sign your name in the petition to release Liu Xia, Liu Xiaobo’s wife.