IOC must tell China it risks losing the Games if no progress made on Tibet

With the opening of the Athens Olympic Games just days away, the International Tibet Support Network (ITSN) today released a new report that documents continued violations of basic human rights in Chinese occupied Tibet and in China.

The report, China Plays Games with Human Rights, was released at a Press Conference in Athens, chaired by Ms Anna Karamanou, a former Member of the European Parliament.

The report concludes that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jacques Rogge’s statement of 24 April 2002: “We are convinced that the Olympic Games will improve human rights in China” is very far from being fulfilled. Moreover, there is a strong danger that the Games will exacerbate China’s brutal control of its people and be used as propaganda to endorse the Communist regime.

Campaigners will present their report to IOC members in Athens this week, and ask Jacques Rogge to tell Chinese leaders that if there is not a dramatic change in their policy towards Tibet, the withdrawal of the Games from Beijing will be a serious option for the IOC.

“Sustained international scrutiny and pressure are required to bring about progress on Tibet and improvements in human rights in China,” said ITSN Board Member Alison Reynolds. “However, despite ‘taking a bet’ that the Olympics would lead to change, the IOC appears to be unwilling to play a part in providing that pressure, and we call on them take action now, or let China know that they risk losing the Games.”

The report, examines three spheres where the Olympic Games and Olympic Truce could have a positive impact: in the peaceful resolution of the 54-year occupation of Tibet, in building a society where freedom of expression exists and in China’s control of dissent.

Former political prisoner Jamyang Tsultrim, who was detained five times by the Chinese authorities between 1992 and 1998, said from Zurich, “I and many others suffered torture and unbelievable humiliation in prison for the simple fact that we were fighting for the rights of our people. We should not be misled by China’s leadership. It is a brutal regime hoping to gain some respectability from the Olympics in 2008, whilst illegally occupying my country and violating basic human rights.”

ITSN Board Member Wangpo Tethong appealed to the people of Athens for their support. “Representatives of the Tibet movement will discuss this afternoon what kind of peaceful protest events will be staged in Athens. We call on the people of Athens and the athletes to join us in our protest and to make China’s leaders see that the world cares about truth and human dignity.”

Chairing the proceedings, Ms Anna Karamanou recalled meeting the Dalai Lama with other Members of the European Parliament, and their support for his efforts to bring about a peaceful resolution to the occupation of Tibet. “Where are the activities related to the Olympic Truce that support the Dalai Lama?” she asked. “Tibet must be high on the IOC’s agenda, to bring about a solution before Beijing 2008. The IOC must seize the initiative now and put action behind their rhetoric.”

Key Findings of the Report:

• China was engaged in a wide crackdown on human rights whilst Beijing was bidding for the Olympics, during 2000 and 2001, demonstrating no concern that this may jeopardise its chances of holding the Games. This raised expectations that the provisions in the Host City Contract - which prevent political demonstrations in Olympic cities - could provide Chinese authorities with a licence for “zero tolerance” of dissent.

• A well-documented power struggle in China, since Hu Jintao succeeded Jiang Zemin as President, has led to more hard-line policies, including tough talk on Taiwan (see below) and tough handling of the 15th anniversary of Tiananmen Square.

• China has stalled contact with representatives of the Dalai Lama over the last twelve months, published a bullish White Paper on Tibet attacking the Dalai Lama and made provocative gestures towards Taiwan since the re-election of Chen Shui-bian.

• China is persecuting prominent Tibetan religious leaders, including Tenzin Deleg Rinpoche who was arrested in April 2002 and received a suspended death sentence in December 2002 for a crime he did not commit. Rinpoche’s co-accused Lobsang Dhondup was executed in January 2003; the first politically motivated execution of a Tibetan in more than a decade.

• Beijing’s ‘promise’ of media freedom was backtracked on immediately. China has since produced guidance to police officers on how to deal with journalists who wish to cover other issues besides sport. China has expanded its ‘internet police’ force to 30,000 people and is extending its censorship controls to text messages.

International Tibet Support Network’s Priority Recommendations (see report for full list):

• ITSN calls on the IOC to, in the spirit of the Olympic Charter and the Olympic Truce Resolution adopted by the 54th UN General Assembly on 24 November 1999, press for peaceful, unconditional negotiations between representatives of the Dalai Lama and China on the future of Tibet.

• The IOC should further establish benchmarks to determine the basis for an eventual reconsideration of the location of the 2008 Olympics in the event of a lack of improvement or further deterioration of the human rights situation in China and Tibet.

The Olympic Truce call:

“At the dawn of the 21st century, the Olympic Truce once again calls upon humanity to lay down its weapons and work towards building the foundations of peace, mutual respect, understanding and reconciliation.” Implementing the truce means “Valuable time for constructing bridges of communication between adversaries”, providing humanitarian support, protecting the environment and allowing the youth of the world to participate in the Olympic Games. “Beyond these, the Truce promises to create the necessary infrastructures for the continuation of dialogue and for the renewal of hope for reconciliation, both during the duration of the Games and throughout the four-year period of Olympiads.” (Source: www.olympictruce.org)

Contact:
Wangpo Tethong, ITSN: 694 885 5045/+41 787 443 010
Hara Kalomiri, Greek Tibetan Friendship Association: 6932 904 302
Alison Reynolds,ITSN: + 44 7711 843 884

www.2008-freetibet.org