Rights group slam Philippines' Nobel boycott
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Human rights activists have slammed the Philippines for aligning with China in boycotting the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony honoring imprisoned Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo.
Human Rights Watch deputy director for Asia Elaine Pearson said her organization is shocked and disappointed the Philippines declined the invitation to Friday's ceremony in Norway.
She said in a statement Thursday that the Philippines is failing to live up to its promise to promote human rights in Asia.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Philippine Foreign Affairs Department refused to say whether Beijing, a key trading partner, had pressured Manila to stay away from the event.