On Tuesday, the Sydney Network for Democracy in China sent an open letter to Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, urging her to intervene in the case of Liu Xiaobo, who has been in hospital in the city of Shenyang since late June.
The group said it is shocked at the Chinese government’s delay in granting permission for the Nobel laureate to leave the country and travel overseas in order to receive medical treatment for his liver cancer.
The organisation said Australian must step in “as a country that values the freedom and dignity of the individual, and commitment to the rule of law.”
A statement released by the First Hospital of China Medical University in the northeastern city of Shenyang says the 61-year-old is too sick to travel or to receive radiotherapy treatment.
This claim has been disputed by several foreign doctors, analysts and supporters of Mr Liu, who have accused authorities of “hastening his death” through repeated delays.
Mr Liu was jailed for 11 years in 2009 on charges of ‘inciting subversion of state power,” after helping to produce a petition known as 'Charter 08' that called for reform of the country’s one-party Communist system, as well as enshrining basic human rights.
At the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in Oslo, he was represented by an empty chair.
He was released in May of 2017 after being diagnosed with cancer.
The Network said it was ironic that Mr Liu was given so-called “medical parole” after his diagnosis.
“While he is facing the final stage of his life, he is still denied the freedom to choose where and how he could receive his medical care,” they said.
The Network called Mr Liu a political prisoner, and pleaded with Australian officials to offer him and his wife refugee protection.
“Countries that choose not to respond now to Mr Liu's case would have no excuse,” they said.
An undated photo made available through the Twitter account of Guangzhou-based activist Ye Du, shows Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo, left, with his wife Liu. Source: AAP, Twitter
“It would be like supporting the oppressor to prolong human rights abuses.”
In Hong Kong on Monday, around 30 protesters staged a sit-in outside’s China’s liaison office, calling for Mr Liu to be given the freedom to leave the country.
Human rights lawyer Albert Ho said demonstrators were hoping to get the attention of Chinese authorities.
"We are now holding this marathon sit-in to send out a strong message to the Chinese government," he said.
"Liu Xiaobo should be allowed to leave China and go to a place of his own choice for medical treatment on humanitarian consideration."
- with wires
