15 May 2018

Akademie der Künste Appeals for Liu Xia’s Immediate Release

Following its Members' General Assembly on 4–5 May 2018, the Akademie der Künste ‒ an international community of more than 400 artists ‒ issued an open letter.
It is addressed to Shi Mingde, the ambassador of the People's Republic of China in the Federal Republic of Germany. The letter denounces the continued detention of painter, poet and photographer Liu Xia under appalling conditions. The Akademie der Künste is making an appeal for Liu Xia's immediate release.

The wording of the appeal:

Dear Mr. Ambassador,

The Akademie der Künste is an international community of more than 400 artists. As a group we have watched the ongoing house arrest of the painter, poet and photographer Liu Xia under degrading and inhumane conditions with increasingly great concern.

In consequence of our Members' General Assembly on 4–5 May 2018, we hereby reaffirm and declare our solidarity with Liu Xia and appeal to you regarding her rights to freedom and protection. We beseech you to do everything in your power to bring about the immediate release of Liu Xia.

In the face of Liu Xia's poor health, any restrictions against her freedom of movement and communications must be lifted without delay and she must also be granted the right to travel freely.

Jeanine Meerapfel
President, Akademie der Künste