Although I continue to maintain that I am innocent and that the charges against me are unconstitutional, during the one-plus year since I have lost my freedom, I have been locked up at two different locations and gone through four pre-trial police interrogators, three prosecutors, and two judges, but in handling my case, they have not been disrespectful, overstepped time limitations, or tried to force a confession. Their manner has been moderate and reasonable; moreover, they have often shown goodwill . . .
Freedom of expression is the foundation of human rights, the source of humanity, and the mother of truth. To strangle freedom of speech is to trample on human rights, stifle humanity, and suppress truth.
In order to exercise the right to freedom of speech conferred by the constitution, one should fulfil the social responsibility of a Chinese citizen. There is nothing criminal in anything I have done. [But] if charges are brought against me because of this, I have no complaints.
Thank you, everyone. – from Liu Xiaobo's final statement to his trial, which he titled I Have No Enemies, made on December 23rd, 2009, and read in his absence yesterday by Liv Ullmann at the ceremony in Oslo awarding him the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize
We can to a certain degree say that China with its 1.3 billion people is carrying mankind's fate on its shoulders. If the country proves capable of developing a social market economy with full civil rights, this will have a huge favourable impact on the world. If not, there is a danger of social and economic crises arising in the country, with negative consequences for us all. – Norwegian Nobel committee chairman Thorbjoern Jagland
Joe, widows in this country are living in no-man's-land. – Caller to Liveline
Let me be clear: governing this country is a difficult and complex job, in the good times and in the very bad times we are experiencing now. – Brian Lenihan defending the Taoiseach's salary of €214,000, cut in the Budget by €14,000
It is difficult to imagine more reprehensible circumstances than a priest in confession setting about the sexual abuse of a young boy. – Judge Frank O'Donnell sentencing former priest Tony Walsh to 16 years in jail for abusing three boys in the 1970s and 1980s