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Imprisoned Chinese Nobel laureate Liu Xiaobo, in pursuit of a life of 'honesty, responsibility and dignity', dies aged 61

Imprisoned for all the seven years since he won the Nobel Peace Prize, China's most prominent political prisoner, Liu Xiaobo, died on Thursday of liver cancer at 61. A look back into the life he will be remembered to have lived for.
Imprisoned for all the seven years since he won the Nobel Peace Prize, China's most prominent political prisoner, Liu Xiaobo, died on Thursday of liver cancer at 61.
Imprisoned for all the seven years since he won the Nobel Peace Prize, China's most prominent political prisoner, Liu Xiaobo, died on Thursday of liver cancer at 61.
Associated Press
Updated on: 
2 min read
Calling for more freedom of expression, human rights and an independent judiciary in his homeland since the 1989 pro-democracy protests centred in Beijing's Tiananmen Square, the once visiting scholar at Columbia University in New York never renounced the pursuit of human rights in China.
Calling for more freedom of expression, human rights and an independent judiciary in his homeland since the 1989 pro-democracy protests centred in Beijing's Tiananmen Square, the once visiting scholar at Columbia University in New York never renounced the pursuit of human rights in China.
It never came without a struggle, as the government was to sentence him to four imprisonments.
It never came without a struggle, as the government was to sentence him to four imprisonments.
His final prison sentence was for co-authoring 'Charter 08', a document circulated in 2008 that called for more freedom of expression, human rights and an independent judiciary.
His final prison sentence was for co-authoring 'Charter 08', a document circulated in 2008 that called for more freedom of expression, human rights and an independent judiciary.
Refusing Liu to read aloud his 'I Have No Enemies: My Final Statement' wherein he pronounces to lead a life of honesty, responsibility, and dignity, the government in 2009 sentenced him to 11 years imprisonment on charges of inciting subversion by advocating sweeping political reforms and greater human rights in his country.
Refusing Liu to read aloud his 'I Have No Enemies: My Final Statement' wherein he pronounces to lead a life of honesty, responsibility, and dignity, the government in 2009 sentenced him to 11 years imprisonment on charges of inciting subversion by advocating sweeping political reforms and greater human rights in his country.
A year later, he was awarded the Nobel Prize. The Norwegian committee lauded Liu's 'long and non-violent struggle for fundamental human rights in China'.
A year later, he was awarded the Nobel Prize. The Norwegian committee lauded Liu's 'long and non-violent struggle for fundamental human rights in China'.
This only enraged China's government, which condemned it as a political farce. Days later, Liu's wife Liu was put under house arrest without reason. China also punished Norway by suspending bilateral ties, which resumed only in 2017.
This only enraged China's government, which condemned it as a political farce. Days later, Liu's wife Liu was put under house arrest without reason. China also punished Norway by suspending bilateral ties, which resumed only in 2017.
Liu's supporters were prevented from leaving the country to accept the Nobel Prize on his behalf. Instead, Liu's absence at the awards ceremony in Norway was marked by an empty chair, and another empty chair for Liu Xia.
Liu's supporters were prevented from leaving the country to accept the Nobel Prize on his behalf. Instead, Liu's absence at the awards ceremony in Norway was marked by an empty chair, and another empty chair for Liu Xia.
Despite Liu being diagnosed with cancer earlier this year, Chinese authorities refused to budge to several repeated requests from supporters and foreign governments to allow him to be treated abroad. They insisted he was receiving the best care possible.
Despite Liu being diagnosed with cancer earlier this year, Chinese authorities refused to budge to several repeated requests from supporters and foreign governments to allow him to be treated abroad. They insisted he was receiving the best care possible.
On Thursday, Liu Xiaobo breathed his last. He is only the second Nobel Peace Prize winner to die in prison.
On Thursday, Liu Xiaobo breathed his last. He is only the second Nobel Peace Prize winner to die in prison.
There was widespread anger against China following the peace activist's death. The Nobel Committee said Beijing bore a heavy responsibility for Liu's death.
There was widespread anger against China following the peace activist's death. The Nobel Committee said Beijing bore a heavy responsibility for Liu's death.
The first Nobel-winning political prisoner, Carl von Ossietzky, died from tuberculosis in Germany in 1938 while serving a sentence for opposing the Nazi regime. 'Hitler was wild and strong and thought he was right — but history proved he was wrong in imprisoning a Nobel Peace Prize winner,' said Mo Shaoping, Liu's former lawyer. 'The authorities consider Liu Xiaobo guilty, but history will prove he is not.'
The first Nobel-winning political prisoner, Carl von Ossietzky, died from tuberculosis in Germany in 1938 while serving a sentence for opposing the Nazi regime. 'Hitler was wild and strong and thought he was right — but history proved he was wrong in imprisoning a Nobel Peace Prize winner,' said Mo Shaoping, Liu's former lawyer. 'The authorities consider Liu Xiaobo guilty, but history will prove he is not.'
Liu Xiaobo

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