Statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic on the Chinese Charter 08 and the case of Mr. Liu Xiaobo
14.12.2009 / 12:38 | Aktualizováno: 31.01.2014 / 08:17
December 10, 2009 - International Human Rights Day marks one year since the publication of the Charter 08 manifesto. The Czech Republic welcomed this declaration as an expression of emancipation of the civil society in China and does furthermore consider this as a valuable opportunity for China to initiate a discussion on key issues related herewith.
We have been observing with great interest the reaction of the Chinese government to constructive demands formulated in the document of the Charter 08. The Chinese government itself showed its determination to improve the situation of human rights in China, when the National Action Plan on progress in human rights was elaborated and published. With regret and concern, we are receiving information about repressive measures undertaken by official bodies against representatives and signatories of the Charter 08 and at this occasion we are remembering repressions, to which Czech Chartists were exposed after 1977.
Within this context, we pay a special attention to the case of Mr. Liu Xiaobo, leading figure of the Charter 08. Mr. Liu Xiaobo was arrested just one year ago, on December 8, 2008.
We believe that China as a state guided by the rule of law will guarantee the right to fair trial to Mr. Liu Xiaobo.