On December 10, 2010, Chinese human rights activist Liu Xiaobo was awarded the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize in absentia. Although the Prize is usually awarded in-person, Liu was unable to attend the ceremony because he is serving an 11-year prison sentence for inciting subversion. Chinese authorities also prohibited his family members from attending. Liu has been a longtime critic of the Chinese government and China's one-party rule. He also served a two-year prison sentence after the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests. The Nobel Committee originally announced Liu as a recipient in October 2010.

National emblem of China

Learn more about Liu Xiaobo and the Nobel Peace Prize from the JURIST news archive.

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