Washington, DC: âTo those people who admire late Liu Xiaobo, please carry forward his principle; it is our duty as his admirers. We should carry forward his vision and principle,â His Holiness the Dalai Lama said in a video statement, released at a Public Memorial service held in Celebration of the Life of Liu Xiaobo at Washington National Cathedral, 19 October. Watch video statement here.
Offering his prayers for fellow Nobel Laureate Liu Xiaobo, His Holiness said, âAs an elder Nobel laureate, itâs my duty to express my prayers and warm feelings. I really admire Liu Xiaoboâs firm stand on moral principle and democracy.â
Although he is no longer living, the rest of us can best honour Liu Xiaobo by carrying forward the principles he embodied, the octogenarian Tibetan leader said.
The prayer service saw an impressive gathering of politicians, State Department Officials, Nobel Laureates-Jody Williams and Shirin Ebadi and readings of Liu Xiaobo and Liu Xiaâs works by Norwegian Nobel Committee chair Berit Reiss-Andersen and former United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture Juan Mendez.
An event of celebrating and honouring Liu Xiaobo also resounded with renewed calls for release of Liu Xia, Liu Xiaoboâs widow who has been forcibly disappeared since Liuâs death.
The short but powerful message of His Holiness was screened as part of reflection of the life of Liu Xiaobo.
In 2010, when Liu Xiaobo was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, His Holiness was among the 15 Nobel Peace Prize laureates who appealed for Liuâs release from imprisonment.
His Holiness called Liu âone of Chinaâs most prominent prisoners of conscienceâ in a statement released post the dissidentâs release from 11-year imprisonment in June 2017.
When Liu Xiaobo passed away a month later, His Holiness issued a public statement, expressing his deep sadness. âIt is my belief that Nobel Laureate Liu Xiaoboâs unceasing efforts in the cause of freedom will bear fruit before long,â he said.