IFJ says Peace Prize Is Welcome Boost for Press Freedom in China

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today welcomed the award of the Nobel Peace Prize to Chinese writer and dissident Liu Xiaobo saying it is another sign that the inexorable march towards free expression in China has become unstoppable.

"The door to human rights, democracy and press freedom in China is open a little wider today," said Jim Boumelha, IFJ President. "Journalists both inside China and around the world will take great heart that this recognition of a writer's independence cannot be ignored no matter how petulant the response from China's leaders."

Liu Xiaobo was detained at the end of 2008 just before the release of Charter 08, a manifesto for political reform he helped to draft calling for more freedom of assembly, expression and religion. He was prosecuted and last December he was sentenced to eleven years in prison for inciting subversion.

The award of the prestigious Peace Prize by the Norwegian Nobel Committee has angered China's leaders, but the IFJ says the voices calling for reform and democracy are getting louder and cannot be ignored.

"Liu Xiaobo is a figure head for a movement that is forcing the pace of change and we hope that China will respond by setting him free," said Boumelha. "Intemperate actions such as reported harassment of Liu's wife, Liu Xia, will only strengthen the determination of journalists and others to bring about change."  

The IFJ, which has been monitoring attacks on press freedom from Hong Kong over the past two years, says China's hostile public response to the award will not deter those who are campaigning for change both inside and outside the country.

For more information, please contact IFJ on + 32 2 235 22 07

The IFJ represents more than 600.000 journalists in 125 countries