Liu Xiaobo Transferred to Jinzhou Prison, Liaoning Province

Submitted by Megan on

According to several sources, including PEN American Center and this LA Times article, renowned Chinese author and dissident Liu Xiaobo was transferred on May 24, 2010 from a detention center in Beijing to Jinzhou Prison in Liaoning Province. As Liaoning is reportedly Liu Xiaobo's home province (though according to China Geeks even that fact is unclear), it was predicted that Liu would be moved to a prison in Liaoning at some point. What is surprising is that it has taken this long for the transfer to take place, as Liu's wife, Liu Xia, previously assumed he would be moved following the Spring Festival in February. Liu Xia was not informed of her husband's transfer until May 30.

Liu Xia, who remains in Beijing, was able to visit her husband in Jinzhou Prison on June 3, according to Chinese Human Rights Defenders (CHRD). The couple was only allowed to visit for one hour, and they were watched by prison guards throughout the visit. Following her visit, Liu Xia reported that her husband is allowed to leave his cell twice a day, is allowed to write and to read books, provided the books are approved by prison officials. CHRD also said that Liu Xiaobo has complained of stomach problems, but it is unclear whether he has received medical attention. Liu is not required to labor as most of the Laogai's 3-5 million prisoners are. Perhaps as such a prominent dissident, officials probably think it is better for Liu Xiaobo to remain in solitary confinement, rather than take the risk of allowing Liu Xiaobo to mingle with other prisoners and spread his "subversive" thinking.

The case of Liu Xiaobo illustrates the hardship that China's dissidents and their families endure. In an interview with the Guardian, Liu Xia described what life is like for a dissident's wife, and how painful it is to be separated from her husband for such long periods of time. Sadly, Liu Xia's case is not unique; it is typical for dissident's wives to be limited to one visit per month with their husbands, and during those visits they are constantly monitored by prison officials. Many dissident's families are themselves under constant surveillance and subjected to frequent harassment by authorities.