Liu’s Peace Prize Goes to an Empty Chair

Liu Xiaobo’s empty chair spoke volumes at Friday’s Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in Oslo. The Chinese dissident is serving out an 11-year prison term in his homeland, and no family members were permitted to travel to accept his award — the first peace laureate not formally represented in 75 years. –JCL

Reuters:

The focus of attention at Friday’s Nobel ceremony was not a proud laureate, overwhelmed at receiving what many people regard as the world’s most prestigious prize. It was his empty chair.

The Nobel Peace laureate, dissident Liu Xiaobo who has called for democracy and human rights in China, is serving an 11-year jail term in his home country.

With his wife Liu Xia and other relatives unable to travel abroad, the Nobel peace laureate was not formally represented at the ceremony for the first time in 75 years.

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