UN experts appeal to Beijing: release Liu Xia immediately

Concern for the health of Liu Xiaobo's wife. "If Liu is free as the authorities state, she should be allowed to exercise her right to freedom of expression and movement in peace".

Geneva (AsiaNews) - The Beijing government must reveal Liu Xia's position, release her and allow her to seek treatment abroad. This is the "urgent" appeal issued yesterday by a group of UN human rights experts on enforced disappearances and arbitrary detentions.

Liu Xia, a 57-year-old poet, has been under house arrest since 2010, although there is no formal accusation against her. Activists have long called for her release, made urgent even by her serious psychological health conditions.

Officials made the request in a joint statement, just days after the first anniversary of the death of her husband Liu Xiaobo, who was left to die of liver cancer last July 13 while in prison. " We are disturbed by reports of the deteriorating health of Liu Xia,” UN independent experts said in a joint statement, adding “if Ms. Liu is free as she is said to be by the authorities, she should be allowed to peacefully to exercise her right to freedom of expression and movement.”

The group, which last year had appealed for the release of Liu Xiaobo, continues to be alarmed by “the growing trend of deaths in custody in China”.

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