When: Monday, 9. May 2011 18.30
Where: London, Free Word Centre, 60 Farringdon Road, EC1R 3GA
Host: English PEN, Free Word, Index on Censorship
Contact: (info@freewordonline.com)
More info: www.englishpen.org/events/penevents/ihavenoenemiesnobelpeaceprizedocumentaryonliuxiaobo/

Liu Xiaobo, one of China’s preeminent dissident writers and activists, was arrested in December 2008 on the eve of the release of Charter 08, an extraordinary declaration he had co-authored calling for political reform, greater human rights, and an end to one-party rule. Liu was held in a windowless room for more than six months before being formally charged. On 25 December 2009, Liu was convicted of incitement to subversion and sentenced to 11 years in prison.

In 2010, Liu Xiaobo was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his long and non-violent struggle for human rights. Following the announcement of the prize, the Chinese authorities reportedly tried to undercut the award in every way possible. The authorities blocked news reports about the prize and warned foreign governments not to send representatives to the award ceremony. They also arrested and harassed many of Liu’s supporters, friends, and family, and prevented his wife, Liu Xia, and other family members from travelling to Oslo for the official award ceremony.

The 30-minute documentary, directed by Claudine Parrish and produced by Nobel Media, features interviews with many of Liu Xiaobo’s friends and colleagues, including celebrated international artist Ai Weiwei who was arrested on 3 April and whose whereabouts remain unknown. Other interviewees include fellow Tiananmen hunger striker Zhou Duo, President of Independent Chinese PEN Center Tienchi Martin-Liao, and Thorbjørn Jagland, Chairman of the Norwegian Nobel Committee.

Following the film screening, there will be a Q&A session with panellists including the film’s director Claudine Parrish and Chair of English PEN’s Writers in Prison Committee, Salil Tripathi. The discussion will be chaired by distinguished journalist and China expert Isabel Hilton.

The event is free but as space is limited please reserve your place in advance via the Free Word website.