Norwegian Nobel Committee declared Liu Xiaopo, jailed campaigner of Human rights in China, a well deserving treat with 2010 Nobel Peace Prize. The President of Norwegian Nobel Committee, Mr. Thorbjoern Jagland in his announcement honored Liu Xiaopo for 'his long and non-violent struggle for fundamental human rights in China'.1 Millions of people all over the world applauded with joy of the decision made by the Nobel Committee, which somehow enraged the Chinese government. This is the first time in the history of Nobel Foundation that the Chinese dissident was honored with such a high profile Peace Prize, though China was deeply afflicted with a centralized command of horrific repression on universal freedom for many decades.
It is certainly a glorious moment for not only Liu Xiaobo, but for all those who are behind the iron curtain sacrificing their lifes for the sake of human rights, democracy and freedom in China. Since the inception of Chinese Communist regime, millions of people died, imprisoned and tortured simply because they rouse for freedom and still many are following their footsteps. Chinese government considered them as the threat for the survival of the regime. Even though Chinese government proclaim themselve as people's government, the sentiments and the aspiration of the people are crushed to ashes continously for over six decades.
Liu Xiaobo, the symbol of modern day freedom in China, is popularly known as 'the Chinese Nelson Mandela'. He is currently languishing in Chinese gulag for 11 years. Earlier, with his involvement in the democratic movement in China since 1989 Students demonstration in Tiananmen Square, Beijing, he was jailed several times. But in 2008, when he initiated 'Charter 08',2 Chinese government sensed great danger in their stability because Liu Xiaobo is gaining popularity not only in China but also elsewhere in the world. He is a renowned literary critic, writer and political activist, who served as the president of the PEN Chinese Center from 2003 to 2007. He was also a professor at Beijing Normal University and a visiting scholar abroad.3 Later, he supported the resolution of Tibet's problem, which was initiated by His Holiness the Dalai Lama through genuine autonomy. His Holiness the Dalai Lama in his congratulatory message raise a hope that the future generation will enjoy the fruits of the efforts, which the present generation contributed towards making a good governance.4 In China, such a prolific personality with international exposure, who is critical to the Chinese Government policies easily becomes a target of the regime. Whether it be an organization, religious group or an individual, stability comes before everything else in the eyes of the regime. But it is question of whether regime stands for the stability of the party or the state.
Liu Xiaobo may not have heard his name in the list of Nobel Laureates this year. His wife disappeared soon after and dozens of netizens arrested in China. China shows her fume with the declaration of Nobel Committee and summoned Norway Embassy thereafter. But, did Chinese government really think in their conscious mind that China is harmonious as they lipsync every day and night. Are the Chinese government officials rational enough to look beyond their closed door of politics in projecting themselve as the example of perfect government by leaving the criticism at bay irrespective of its credibility in making system along the road of perfection. Liu was one of a kind of Chinese citizen who stood by his conviction for the sake of freedom for all citizens of China. In his last statement before his arrest in 2009, he clearly contemplated optimism in future China, where he wrote, 'I look forward to (the day) when my country is a land with freedom of expression, where the speech of every citizen will be treated eqaully well; where different values, ideas and political views can both compete with each other and peacefully coexist.'5
While observing the comments made in the column of Nobel foundation, I was amazed by an unending comments made in favor of Liu, as many see him as Hero of China. I see the burning desires within Chinese people to crush the iron gate of Chinese governments restriction on universal freedom and rights.6 Napolean once said, let China sleep, for when the dragon awakes, she will shake the world. It seems like the dragon within Liu Xiaobo and other democratic campaigners of China has awaken to see the change within China, which prospers with dignity and equality.
Chinese government unwelcomed the news of Chinese dissident honoring Nobel Peace Prize, unlike the masses who were overjoyed by marking China in the international history. This contradictory sentiments of the government and populace somehow related toward Chinese nationalism. The regime till now plays around with nationalism to bolster their supremacy over people. It is matter of party's sustainablity above people, where the government orchestrated superficial nationalism within millions of people for the sake of party. Now, the Chinese people show the other part of pride and nationalism with Liu Xiaobo, which contradicts with the government, who condemns it with seriousness. These two kinds of nationalism within Chinese public for and against the Chinese government need to be address and observe carefully. This is a burning issue, which decides the fate of China.
It is better late than never. Six decades had gone with silence from the international communities to see the atrocities, which the Chinese government had done to their people. Millions of people died under the draconian rule of Chinese communist Party, rejecting the international norms of respecting human rights and freedom, which the regime themselve had agreed upon. Nobel Peace Prize to Liu Xiaobo is a clear indication that the world begun to sees true China in a clear light. This is a recognition for Liu, who represent the segment of people who fought for the rights and freedom of 1.3 billion Chinese. This is a symbol of victory for the Chinese people's vision of free China from unequality, voilations of human rights, and prospect of democractic system.
Nobel Peace Prize to Liu Xiaobo opens a new chapter in the history of China and how this chapter ends, will depend upon the role of Chinese people in seeking freedom and human rights in China. May Lord bless Chinese people, Amen!!
Reference:
1) Press Release, http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/2010/press.html
2) http://en.rsf.org/IMG/pdf/Charter08-2.pdf
3) http://www.pen.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/3029/prmID/172
4) http://www.dalailama.com/news/post/590-press-statement-of-his-holiness-the-dalai-lama-on-liu-xiaobo-being-awarded-the-2010-nobel-peace-prize
5) I have no enemies, by Liu Xiaobo, http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/10/08/i_have_no_enemies
6) Congratulatory Remarks http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/peace/laureates/2010/index.html
A perfect piece of writing. Keep writing. Tashi Delek !!
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