Last month, Liu Xiaobo, a Chinese human rights activist, won the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize for his use of non-violence in demanding fundamental human rights in China and advocating for gradual political change rather than confrontation with the government. Xiaobo is currently serving 11 years in a Chinese prison for subversion, so clearly he won't be on a plane to Oslo in December to collect his award. But who will collect it is still up in the air.

Via the Chinapost.com:

It is also highly unlikely that his wife, Liu Xia, will be allowed to do that either. In fact, she was placed under house arrest as soon as his award was announced on Oct. 8.

Liu's wife has made public a list of about 140 names of his friends whom she has asked to receive the award on her husband's behalf. Many of them, too, including dissidents, academics and lawyers, have been put under house arrest or are under very tight surveillance as part of the crackdown initiated by the government in the wake of the Nobel award. It is doubtful that they will be allowed to leave the country.

... In addition to putting pressure on Liu's family and friends, it is now also putting pressure on all governments, especially those in Europe, to boycott the Dec. 10 ceremonies, as the Los Angeles Times has reported.

According to the newspaper, the Chinese Foreign Ministry has sent diplomatic notes to European ambassadors posted in Oslo regarding the Nobel Peace Prize saying, “We strongly hope that your country — will refrain from attending any activity directed against China.”