Sens. Cruz, Leahy, Rubio, and Menendez Pen Letter to Liu Xia
‘Your perseverance has inspired the world and put those who unjustly detained you to shame’
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), and Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) sent a letter to Liu Xia following her release from Chinese imprisonment. She and her late husband Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dr. Liu Xiaobo have battled to promote democracy and freedom in China.
“Over the past eight years you have responded to the abuses imposed by the Chinese government and Communist Party with endurance and grace,” the senators wrote. “Your perseverance has inspired the world and put those who unjustly detained you to shame. Even during this celebration, we remember and send you condolences on the loss of Liu Xiaobo, who died as a result of prolonged imprisonment and torture by the Chinese government a year ago. Your husband was a hero and a champion of democracy. His work endures as a legacy of peaceful resistance to tyranny and you are a living symbol of this legacy.”
Read the full letter here and below:
Dear Ms. Liu,
We write to join you in celebrating your freedom and send our best wishes for your good health. Over the past eight years you have responded to the abuses imposed by the Chinese government and Communist Party with endurance and grace. Your perseverance has inspired the world and put those who unjustly detained you to shame.
Even during this celebration, we remember and send you condolences on the loss of Liu Xiaobo, who died as a result of prolonged imprisonment and torture by the Chinese government a year ago. Your husband was a hero and a champion of democracy. His work endures as a legacy of peaceful resistance to tyranny and you are a living symbol of this legacy.
We remember that one of Liu Xiaobo’s wishes was to host an exhibit of your paintings, poems, and photographs celebrating freedom. Your former Communist captors prohibited it. The American people would be honored to display your work, and we would be happy to host such an event in Washington, D.C. Moreover, Members of the United States Congress would warmly welcome you, should you desire to visit.
Finally, we realize that your brother Liu Hui remains unable to leave China. We know that the Communist Party routinely exploits family ties for extortion and intimidation, and we recognize the extremely difficult position you are in. We commit to focusing our efforts for securing his freedom, as well as the freedom of all Chinese people, a cause you and your husband have so courageously led.
Sincerely,
/s/
###
