ICC Note:

In 2008 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, Liu Xiaobo, was arrested and charged with “inciting subversion of power.” Liu is an advocate for human rights and religious freedom in China, and he was recently released due to his failing health, after serving 9 years of an 11-year sentence. In late May, Liu was diagnosed with liver cancer after the prison continually denied him adequate medical treatment. While Liu was “released”, the government has repeatedly denied permission for him to travel to the United States for better medical treatment unless he pleads guilty to his supposed crimes. Officials have set him up in the Shenyang hospital to receive treatment for his deteriorating liver, but there is word that doctors have stopped all Chinese and Western drugs because of his weakening body. There is increasing speculation from critics as to whether China can provide the right course of action regarding Liu’s case. There is even question if the prison provided Liu with sufficient medical examinations which means they could have found the cancer earlier making it more treatable.

07/06/2017 China (Reuters) – The liver function of China’s Nobel Peace Prize winning dissident Liu Xiaobo has worsened, the hospital treating him said on Thursday, while one source close to his family said doctors had halted medication.

Liu, 61, was jailed for 11 years in 2009 for “inciting subversion of state power” after he helped write a petition known as “Charter 08” calling for sweeping political reforms.

He was recently moved from jail to a hospital in the city of Shenyang for treatment of late stage liver cancer.

Liu has been being treated for various conditions as side effects of his cancer, including a build up of fluid in his stomach caused by liver scarring.

“Liu Xiaobo’s liver function has worsened, his bilirubin levels are gradually rising,” the hospital said in a statement, referring to a substance produced by the liver, high levels of which can indicate liver failure.

Asked about Liu’s condition on Thursday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said he had nothing new to add and reiterated that China hoped other countries would not use “individual cases” to interfere in China’s internal affairs.

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