●The Japan P.E.N. Club Statement
A Call for the Government of the People's Republic of China to Reconsider the Unjust Sentencing of Dr. Liu Xiaobo and Grant His Immediate Release
Dr. Liu Xiaobo, a writer from China and an ex-chairman and board member of the Independent Chinese PEN Center (ICPC), was sentenced by the Beijing No. 1 Intermediate People's Court to 11 years' imprisonment on December 25, 2009 on charges of inciting subversion of state power.
By severely punishing Dr. Liu for drafting "Charter 08" and openly stating his views, the verdict is an unjust response to the freedom of expression guaranteed by international law and the law of the People's Republic of China, and as a signatory of the International PEN Charter, the Japan P.E.N. Club deeply regrets this action.
The Japan P.E.N. Club has issued a "Statement to call for the immediate release of Chinese writer Dr. Liu Xiaobo" as it continues to seek Dr. Liu's immediate release.
Prior to Dr. Liu's sentencing, International PEN and much of the world community had expressed strong concern about just such an outcome. We cannot understand why the Chinese government, given its status as a very important nation and its responsibility to the world community, would hand down such a verdict.
Some sources indicate that Dr. Liu is considering an appeal of this case.
The Japan P.E.N. Club vigorously calls upon the Chinese government to reconsider Dr. Liu's sentence and ensure his immediate and unconditional release, and we demand in the strongest possible terms that Chinese writers, speakers and intellectuals not be subjected to threats, constraints or pressure of any kind for merely creating works or expressing their opinions.
By severely punishing Dr. Liu for drafting "Charter 08" and openly stating his views, the verdict is an unjust response to the freedom of expression guaranteed by international law and the law of the People's Republic of China, and as a signatory of the International PEN Charter, the Japan P.E.N. Club deeply regrets this action.
The Japan P.E.N. Club has issued a "Statement to call for the immediate release of Chinese writer Dr. Liu Xiaobo" as it continues to seek Dr. Liu's immediate release.
Prior to Dr. Liu's sentencing, International PEN and much of the world community had expressed strong concern about just such an outcome. We cannot understand why the Chinese government, given its status as a very important nation and its responsibility to the world community, would hand down such a verdict.
Some sources indicate that Dr. Liu is considering an appeal of this case.
The Japan P.E.N. Club vigorously calls upon the Chinese government to reconsider Dr. Liu's sentence and ensure his immediate and unconditional release, and we demand in the strongest possible terms that Chinese writers, speakers and intellectuals not be subjected to threats, constraints or pressure of any kind for merely creating works or expressing their opinions.
January 5, 2010
Takashi Atoda, President
The Japan P.E.N. Club
The Japanese Centre of International P.E.N.
Takashi Atoda, President
The Japan P.E.N. Club
The Japanese Centre of International P.E.N.