28 December, 2009
His Holiness the Dalai Lama

His Holiness the Dalai Lama Saddened by Liu Xiaobo's Prison Sentence

Liu XiaoboI am saddened by the Chinese Government sentencing Liu Xiaobo, a well-known Chinese writer, to a 11-year jail term.

By forcefully sentencing Liu Xiaobo, and others like him, who use freedom of expression to publicly articulate their opinions, the Chinese Authorities have not only violated the binding principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights but also the freedom of expression mentioned in the Constitution of the People's Republic of China.

I urge the Chinese Government to release, as soon as possible, Liu Xiaobo and other political prisoners who were jailed because of exercising freedom of expression.

I offer my regards and prayers to Mr. Liu Xiaobo, his wife and other family members.

The Dalai Lama
December  28, 2009