Post updated with additional tweets and attributions at 5:42 p.m.
Nearly one year ago, Liu Xiabo died in China. Today his wife Liu Xia, who faced her own long and difficult journey, is finally free under more positive conditions — as reported by Suyin Haynes in Time:
The recent lack of high-level official condemnation over Liu Xia's previous ongoing detention was striking. Jane Perlez in The New York Times reports Germany played a key role in her release and provides one reason for the relative quiet:
Although Liu Xia is now in Europe, as reported by Catherine Lai and Tom Grundy in the Hong Kong Free Press she may not yet be entirely free.
So some are calling for her brother to take a similar voyage.
Some see positive signs in the news that extends beyond Liu Xia's freedom.
Some don't see Liu Xia's release as a sign of broader positive change inside of China.
But the news may still suggest something about changes outside of China.
I found Liu Xia's detainment extremely troubling and feared she would meet final circumstances similar to her husband's. So it is heartening to see she will now be in a far better situation, to say the least. Hopefully she can recover her health. And may she find it possible to safely express herself.
Nearly one year ago, Liu Xiabo died in China. Today his wife Liu Xia, who faced her own long and difficult journey, is finally free under more positive conditions — as reported by Suyin Haynes in Time:
Liu Xia, the widow of Chinese Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and human rights activist Liu Xiaobo, has left China for Europe after eight years under de facto house arrest.
Family friends said that Liu Xia boarded a flight from departing from Beijing on Tuesday headed for Berlin . . . .
An accomplished poet and writer, Liu Xia was placed under house arrest by the Chinese authorities in 2010, after her husband won the Nobel Peace Prize but was unable to collect it due to his detention on political grounds. She had never been charged with a crime and was placed under close state surveillance. Concerns for her health mounted after she was heard in an April audio recording saying that she was “prepared to die” under house arrest following the loss of her husband.
The recent lack of high-level official condemnation over Liu Xia's previous ongoing detention was striking. Jane Perlez in The New York Times reports Germany played a key role in her release and provides one reason for the relative quiet:
European diplomats had said over the last several months that China had left Ms. Liu in limbo as a show of resolve against Chinese human rights dissidents, despite aggressive efforts by Germany to press for her release.
After Ms. Merkel’s visit to Beijing in the spring, the Chinese authorities let the Europeans know that if Ms. Liu’s case was not publicized, her release would be possible, a European diplomat with knowledge of the case said.
Although Liu Xia is now in Europe, as reported by Catherine Lai and Tom Grundy in the Hong Kong Free Press she may not yet be entirely free.
Patrick Poon, researcher for Amnesty International, told HKFP: “It’s really wonderful news to hear that Liu Xia is eventually able to leave China. She has been suffering depression. It’s good that she can receive medical treatment in Germany now. Her brother Liu Hui is still in China. Liu Xia might not want to talk much as she would be worried about his safety.”
So some are calling for her brother to take a similar voyage.
Incredible news that poet and artist Liu Xia may finally be free after eight years of house arrest without ever being charged with a crime. We celebrate her freedom and hope her brother Liu Hui will be permitted to join her soon. https://t.co/YBvP50H9d1— PEN America (@PENamerican) July 10, 2018
Some see positive signs in the news that extends beyond Liu Xia's freedom.
Liu Xia's belated release and departure from China shows pressure on China can work if governments are willing to exert it. She's the long-disappeared widow of Liu Xiaobo, the detained Nobel Laureate who died in Chinese prison. https://t.co/Alcn2JKTfl pic.twitter.com/qWYeT2TxKR— Kenneth Roth (@KenRoth) July 10, 2018
Some don't see Liu Xia's release as a sign of broader positive change inside of China.
It’s very good that Liu Xia is on the way to Germany. However, I do hope people dont read too much into this one positive development, do remember that the human rights situation in China remains truly mind blowingly horrible, and that this is not a sign of any change at all.— Kevin Carrico (@kevincarrico) July 10, 2018
I met Liu Xia, at a dinner in Beijing in 2006 with Liu Xiaobo. They were the electric, magnetic life of the party. What she endured since is monstrous. Her freedom is cause for celebration, but also a moment to reflect on the utter injustice of her captivity and now, exile.— Susan Jakes (@susanjakes) July 10, 2018
But the news may still suggest something about changes outside of China.
Important to consider that this is the work of Germany, and not the US. https://t.co/AuU1HKskOH— Melissa Chan (@melissakchan) July 10, 2018
Angela Merkel, leader of the free world. https://t.co/VmZmkOdppr— Jeremy Goldkorn (@goldkorn) July 10, 2018
I found Liu Xia's detainment extremely troubling and feared she would meet final circumstances similar to her husband's. So it is heartening to see she will now be in a far better situation, to say the least. Hopefully she can recover her health. And may she find it possible to safely express herself.
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| "Created by Liu Xia during the time of Liu Xiaobo’s labor reeducation in 1996-1999, the 'ugly babies,' as Liu refers to the dolls, are positioned in tableaux that evoke confinement and repression." Source: Columbia University's The Italian Academy |
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