On Tuesday, December 6, the Congressional-Executive Commission on China will hold the hearing: “One Year After the Nobel Peace Prize Award to Liu Xiaobo: Conditions for Political Prisoners and Prospects for Political Reform” to discuss the ongoing persecution and detention of dissidents in China.

Since Liu Xiaobo won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2010, international media has paid increased attention to Chinese human rights and political issues. However, this has not led to reform or improved political conditions for Chinese citizens; if anything, restrictions have since been tightened. Liu Xiaobo and Liu Xianbin's unreasonably long prison sentences, Ai Weiwei's recent $2.4 million fine for "tax evasion", and the continued illegal detention and abuse of Chen Guangcheng and his family all illustrate the Chinese Communist Party's increased intolerance of alternative political views.  

Harry Wu will be one of the panel witnesses; he will focus on the Laogai and treatment of political prisoners within the forced-labor system and of Liu in particular. He will also highlight how China has been able to ramp up internet censorship and track down dissidents. The hearing will also feature human rights activists and China scholars,

           The hearing will be held December 6^th from 2 to 4 pm at 2172 Rayburn House Office Building. For more information, click here.