World leaders urge China to release Liu Xiaobo’s widow

The United States, the UN, and other world leaders are urging China to release Liu Xia, the widow of Nobel laureate and activist Liu Xiaobo, who died Thursday. Liu Xia, 56, has been held in isolation and house arrest without charge since 2010. The poet and artist has reportedly suffered from depression and heart attacks. U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on Thursday released a statement mourning the death of Liu Xiaobo, adding “I call on the Chinese government to release Liu Xia from house arrest and allow her to depart China, according to her wishes.” The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, urged Chinese authorities to guarantee Liu Xia’s freedom of movement. France, Germany, Taiwan, and the U.K. also expressed support. Liu Xiaobo and Liu Xia married in a labor camp in 1996.