The House of Commons unanimously adopted a motion today calling on the Chinese authorities to permit imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and Chinese scholar Liu Xiaobo to attend the Nobel Prize Award Ceremonies in Oslo on Friday December 10th – International Human Rights Day.
The motion was moved by the Honorable Irwin Cotler, Member of Parliament for Mount Royal, and former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, which followed his statement in the House of Commons on Monday, December 6th 2010.
“Regrettably, Liu Xiaobo’s imprisonment reflects the increased assaults on the rule of law and the repression faced by human rights advocates in China. Accordingly, the release of Liu Xiaobo is crucial in affirming a China that respects the rule of law and the protection of human rights,” said Professor Cotler, a member of the international legal team of Liu Xiaobo.
In his statement to the House, Mr. Cotler said as follows: “we say from this parliamentary podium to the authorities of the Chinese government, to free Liu Xiaobo and his wife. Permit them to attend the ceremony. Celebrate their contribution to the values of its great civilization. Take its place in the community of nations, not only as an economic superpower but one that is prepared to empower its people in the marketplace of ideas. Put itself on the right side of justice and not on the wrong side of history.”
