This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/10/us-calls-china-release-liu-xiaobo

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
US calls on China to release Liu Xiaobo US calls on China to release Liu Xiaobo
(about 2 hours later)
Five years after his detention, the US is calling for the release of Chinese Nobel peace prize winner Liu Xiaobo and an end to his wife's undeclared house arrest. The US is calling for the release of Chinese Nobel peace prize winner Liu Xiaobo and an end to his wife's undeclared house arrest five years after his detention.
Washington remains deeply concerned about the couple's treatment, along with that of other jailed government critics, Secretary of State John Kerry said. Washington remains deeply concerned about the couple's treatment, along with that of other jailed government critics, the US secretary of state John Kerry said.
"We strongly urge Chinese authorities to release Liu Xiaobo, to end [his wife's] Liu Xia's house arrest, and to guarantee to Liu Xiaobo and his family members all internationally recognised human rights protections and freedoms," Kerry said in a statement issued on Monday in Washington. "We strongly urge Chinese authorities to release Liu Xiaobo, to end [his wife's] Liu Xia's house arrest and to guarantee to Liu Xiaobo and his family members all internationally recognised human rights protections and freedoms," Kerry said in a statement issued on Monday in Washington.
"As the United States builds a constructive relationship with China, US leaders will continue to raise concerns related to respect for the rule of law, human rights, religious freedom, and democratic principles with their Chinese counterparts," Kerry said. "As the United States builds a constructive relationship with China, US leaders will continue to raise concerns related to respect for the rule of law, human rights, religious freedom and democratic principles with their Chinese counterparts," Kerry said.
Liu Xiaobo was detained on 8 December 2008, convicted of subversion in 2009 and sentenced to 11 years in prison for penning an appeal for democracy. He was awarded the peace prize in 2010.Liu Xiaobo was detained on 8 December 2008, convicted of subversion in 2009 and sentenced to 11 years in prison for penning an appeal for democracy. He was awarded the peace prize in 2010.
China's government angrily denounced the award and suspended much of its economic and diplomatic contact with Norway, where the prize is awarded.China's government angrily denounced the award and suspended much of its economic and diplomatic contact with Norway, where the prize is awarded.
Kerry's statement underscored a desire to be seen as active on Chinese human rights in the face of critics who say the issue is being downgraded because of Washington's desire for strong trade ties and Chinese support on knotty diplomatic issues such as the conflict in Syria and Iran's nuclear programmes.Kerry's statement underscored a desire to be seen as active on Chinese human rights in the face of critics who say the issue is being downgraded because of Washington's desire for strong trade ties and Chinese support on knotty diplomatic issues such as the conflict in Syria and Iran's nuclear programmes.
Beijing has rejected Washington's appeals as interference in its domestic affairs and refused to offer any legal basis for the house arrest of Liu Xia, who friends say has grown despondent at being virtually confined to her apartment for the past three years.Beijing has rejected Washington's appeals as interference in its domestic affairs and refused to offer any legal basis for the house arrest of Liu Xia, who friends say has grown despondent at being virtually confined to her apartment for the past three years.
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.