Friday, August 22, 2008

China used Olympics as a catalyst for human rights abuses: HRW

New York: A leading international human rights watchdog says that the Beijing Olympics has put an end to the notion that the games are a "force for good" as it has resulted in setting back the clock with regards to respect for human rights in China.
In a statement ahead of closing ceremony, the Human Rights Watch (HRW) says it has monitored and documented "extensive human rights violations" directly linked to preparation and hosting of the games.
"The Chinese government's hosting of the Games has been a catalyst for abuses, leading to massive forced evictions, a surge in the arrest, detention, and harassment of critics, repeated violations of media freedom and increased political repression," said Asia advocacy director of HRW Sophie Richardson.
In addition, the International Olympic Committee has failed to ensure that the government fulfilled those pledges.
"Not a single world leader who attended the Games or members of the IOC seized the opportunity to challenge the Chinese government's behaviour in any meaningful way," Sophie added.
source: www.mid-day.com

1 comment:

maisondelapresse said...

Very worrying for the future. No one stands up to a strong military power, even when it comes to helping people, human rights defenders in the West can only watch...sad.