Hundreds rounded up in Tibet crackdown — Troops march on the streets of Lhasa

The Voice of America reports that:
– “China’s High Court Thursday rejected Liu Xiaobo’s appeal to change an 11-year jail sentence, which was handed down on December 25.”
– “The 54-year-old writer was convicted of subversion for helping organize a manifesto called “Charter 08,” which calls for sweeping civil and political reforms. He was detained in December 2008, shortly before the document was released on-line.”
– “The U.S. Ambassador to China Jon Huntsman immediately issued a statement expressing Washington’s disappointment in the decision. The statement, read by Embassy spokesman Richard Buangan, called on the government to release Liu immediately and allow Chinese citizens to peacefully express their political views.”
– ” ‘Persecution of individuals for the peaceful expression of political views is inconsistent with internationally recognized norms of human rights,’ he said.”
– “The European Union also issued a statement calling for Liu’s release and an end to harassment and detention of many of the thousands of Chinese who signed Charter 08.”
The Christian Science Monitor reports that:
– “Liu appealed a sentence, handed down on Dec. 25, that shocked relatives and rights activists with its harshness. It was the heaviest punishment for such a crime that lawyers could remember.”
– “‘His harsh sentence is a stark reminder to the Chinese people and the world that there is still no freedom of expression or independent judiciary in China,” says Roseann Rife, a Hong Kong-based researcher for Amnesty International.”
– “Liu, a scholar and literary critic, was charged with ‘incitement to subversion’ because he coauthored Charter 08, a petition for political freedom and an end to the ruling Communist party’s monopoly of power. The online petition has garnered thousands of signatures since it was released just over a year ago.”
– ” ‘This is a really, really difficult time for human rights in China right now,’ says John Kamm, who heads the US-based human rights group Dui Hua.”

Liu Xiaobo, Chinese Human Rights Activist, Arrested December 8, 2008

Other R.E.A.L. Postings on Liu Xiaobo

Communist China Sentences Liu Xiaobo to 11 years in Prison on Christmas Day

Communist China: China dissident begins second year in detention – Liu Xiaobo

Twitter Campaign to Free Chinese Human Rights Advocate Liu Xiaobo

China Support Network publishes letter to Obama re: China trip upcoming this month

Chinese intellectuals speak up for dissident Liu Xiaobo

Communist China accuses pro-democracy activist Liu Xiabo of inciting a rebellion

Communist China: Dissident writer Liu Xiaobo held after sentence ends

Communist China: Arrested Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo to receive prestigious award

China Charter 08 — December 10, 2008

R.E.A.L. Reports on China

R.E.A.L. Reports on Totalitarianism

– See the rest of the report here

– D.C. Rally: Allow Shen Yun Shows to Go On in Hong Kong

– Chinese Group Protests for Freedom in DC Outside Hong Kong Offices

– See other R.E.A.L. postings on Shen Yun

"Protect Shen Yun, Protect Hong Kong" march on Jan 31. (Li Ming/The Epoch Times)