Boycott the Beijing Olympic Games?
Human Rights First is not calling for a boycott of the Beijing Olympic Games. However, the organization does think that the Beijing Olympics offer a unique opportunity to engage the government of China and pressure it to take concrete actions to improve its human rights record.
There are a growing number of communities and organizations that support a boycott of the Beijing Olympics due to China’s abysmal human rights record both at home and abroad. The Chinese government has been particularly sensitive about calls for an Olympics boycott. This is understandable; China has worked hard to engineer the Beijing Olympics as its grand entry onto the twenty-first century stage as a harmonious and peaceful emerging world power.
Chinese Special Representative on the Darfur Issue Liu Guijin recently struck out against calls to boycott the Beijing Olympics. At a press conference held earlier this month upon Mr. Liu’s return from his fourth trip to Sudan, a reporter asked him a question about calls for boycotting the Beijing Olympics because China was not doing enough to help end the violence in Darfur. Mr. Liu responded, “…for those few who attempt to tarnish the Olympic Games on the pretext of issues totally unrelated to the Olympics, like the Darfur issue, we are firmly opposed to such attempts.”
Similarly, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi maintains that China is opposed to the “politicization” of the Beijing Olympics by trying to link the Games with human rights abuses occurring in places such as Darfur and Tibet. An Associated Press reporter recently asked Mr. Yang about the Chinese government’s opposition to the politicization of the Beijing Olympics. Mr. Yang responded, “…not to politicize the Olympic Games is what is laid down in the Olympic Charter. Those people who attack China often talk about the importance of abiding by laws and regulations. Then why are they openly violating the relevant provisions of the Olympic Charter?” One implication Mr. Yang is apparently making in this statement is that China does not mix politics with the Olympics.
A look back in the history of Olympic boycotts is instructive in this case. As it turns out, China has actually boycotted the Olympic Games twice. The first instance was the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne, Australia, to protest a decision allowing a delegation from Taiwan to participate in the Games. China also boycotted the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow in protest of the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan. Given China’s past practice of engaging in Olympic boycotts, it seems disingenuous for China to claim that the current calls for a boycott of the Beijing Olympics are nothing more than attempts to politicize the Games. No doubt China views its boycotts of the Olympic Games in 1956 and 1980 as much more than political stunts.
It is time that China take seriously the human rights grievances that are being raised by its critics in the lead up to the Beijing Olympics and take concrete steps to resolve them. For instance, China should immediately halt its arms sales to Sudan and stop obstructing efforts in the United Nations Security Council to help resolve the crisis in Darfur. Such actions would contribute in helping to create a positive image of the Beijing Olympic Games that the government of China so desperate wants.
There are a growing number of communities and organizations that support a boycott of the Beijing Olympics due to China’s abysmal human rights record both at home and abroad. The Chinese government has been particularly sensitive about calls for an Olympics boycott. This is understandable; China has worked hard to engineer the Beijing Olympics as its grand entry onto the twenty-first century stage as a harmonious and peaceful emerging world power.
Chinese Special Representative on the Darfur Issue Liu Guijin recently struck out against calls to boycott the Beijing Olympics. At a press conference held earlier this month upon Mr. Liu’s return from his fourth trip to Sudan, a reporter asked him a question about calls for boycotting the Beijing Olympics because China was not doing enough to help end the violence in Darfur. Mr. Liu responded, “…for those few who attempt to tarnish the Olympic Games on the pretext of issues totally unrelated to the Olympics, like the Darfur issue, we are firmly opposed to such attempts.”
Similarly, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi maintains that China is opposed to the “politicization” of the Beijing Olympics by trying to link the Games with human rights abuses occurring in places such as Darfur and Tibet. An Associated Press reporter recently asked Mr. Yang about the Chinese government’s opposition to the politicization of the Beijing Olympics. Mr. Yang responded, “…not to politicize the Olympic Games is what is laid down in the Olympic Charter. Those people who attack China often talk about the importance of abiding by laws and regulations. Then why are they openly violating the relevant provisions of the Olympic Charter?” One implication Mr. Yang is apparently making in this statement is that China does not mix politics with the Olympics.
A look back in the history of Olympic boycotts is instructive in this case. As it turns out, China has actually boycotted the Olympic Games twice. The first instance was the 1956 Olympic Games in Melbourne, Australia, to protest a decision allowing a delegation from Taiwan to participate in the Games. China also boycotted the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow in protest of the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan. Given China’s past practice of engaging in Olympic boycotts, it seems disingenuous for China to claim that the current calls for a boycott of the Beijing Olympics are nothing more than attempts to politicize the Games. No doubt China views its boycotts of the Olympic Games in 1956 and 1980 as much more than political stunts.
It is time that China take seriously the human rights grievances that are being raised by its critics in the lead up to the Beijing Olympics and take concrete steps to resolve them. For instance, China should immediately halt its arms sales to Sudan and stop obstructing efforts in the United Nations Security Council to help resolve the crisis in Darfur. Such actions would contribute in helping to create a positive image of the Beijing Olympic Games that the government of China so desperate wants.
Share This Post
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
posted by Eric Sears at
2:25 PM
1 Comments:
It is unfortunate that China was chosen at all for the site of the Olympic games. It appears that the only reason this Communist country was chosen is directly related to "economics!" So many major companies have a huge direct financial stake in China and probably hoped that China would, at last, change its mentality and become more liberal or democratic as we in the West understand this concept.
However, China has no intention of changing its ideology or mentality! I have just left China after working for almost four years as an English teacher in various settings and locations. I have experience that is worth writing a novel about (which I intend to do soon). I was made very aware of its heavy surveillance techniques for foreigners and make no mistake that EVERY FOREIGNER THAT ENTERS CHINA HAS AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE UNDER DIRECT AND STRONG SURVEILLANCE!!! How many people in the West or anywhere in the world enjoy having their residence bugged with listening devices or even cameras??? This is a fact of life that few people are aware which exists in China now and will surely continue throughout the OLYMPICS and after as well!!! I did catch a news item a couple of months ago on a major U.S. news network that the Hotel Rooms of foreigners were under surveillance (contained bugs). Not only is that true, but through its hi tech and strong computer data base system, they can find out AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT AND WITHIN ONE OR TWO MINUTES, where any foreigner is, or has been, either in a hotel or other residence. Of course, in order to know their "residence," someone must have reported it to the "Local Security Bureau!" (This is a rule which is being strictly enforced!!)
Finally, my point is that with such a "RAPE OF PRIVACY," how can the Olympic Committee or anyone else allow the Olympic Games to be in such a country with such a Governmental setup??? Do you really think that the higher powers did not know about this privacy invasion? And if they did not, but do now, they should definitely boycott the Beijing Olympic Games!!!!! There are more issues involved besides the overt "Human Rights Violations." After my experience, I would have to say that I was, and still am, a victim of their "Human Rights Violations," however, in a different form--Everything in my life was invaded including, but not limited to...my residences, my emails, my computer, my personal papers and files, my phones, and my personal and business contacts, which were systematically destroyed. They engaged in a campaign of systematic spying in all areas, as well as slandering my reputation.
Every single foreigner who goes to China will have his or hers personal data and photo in China´s personal data base. They simply do not care about any rules or international laws. The only rule they have is to lie and say whatever they want at the moment that would be to their advantage. If questioned about anything, they will lie again.
Anyone who knows something about basic politics should know about how communist systems function. China will NOT CHANGE from the traditional Communist way. What it was, is what it is, and what it will always be!!! And that does not work well in a "Free World and Society!" Also their infrastructure for doing business is based on lies, stealing, friendships and money payments. Their actual laws and rules can be likened to a Queen or king of a country which is actually a "Figurehead."
Please feel free to contact me for any questions and/or further information.
Please DO NOT RESPOND TO MY GOOGLE GMAIL ACCOUNT, BUT RATHER TO MY "YAHOO" ACCOUNT FROM WHICH THIS EMAIL WAS ORIGINATED!! IT COULD BE A MAJOR SECURITY RISK FOR ME IF YOU DO.!!!
Regards,
Sheila
Post a Comment
<< Home