Olympic Committee: Stop Playing China's Games!

by: Care2
recipient: The International Olympic Committee

Going against their own mandate to protect the independence of the Olympic Movement and to preserve human dignity, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has caved to Beijing's demands to censor the media's Internet access during the Games.

Sites from human rights organizations such as Amnesty International, Reporters Without Borders, Human Rights Watch, or any search for a site with Tibet in the address have been blocked, making it difficult for journalists to find information on political and human rights stories the Chinese government dislikes.

Seven years ago, when bidding for the games, China promised to allow "complete freedom to report." But that didn't matter to the IOC officials, who have agreed to China's request to Internet censorship only a few days before the Games. A senior IOC official apologized for that decision, but an apology is not enough.

The IOC's mission is not to be China's accomplice but to "place sport at the service of the harmonious development of man, with a view to promoting a peaceful society concerned with the preservation of human dignity," and that won't happen as long as the games are held against a backdrop of torture, political persecution and lies.

It's time for the IOC to stop playing China's Games. Cutting a deal with China to allow Internet censorship was wrong and we want more than a simple apology. Tell the IOC to demand free Internet access for journalists covering the Olympic Games and to pressure China to honor its pledge to improve human rights before the Games.

read petition letter ▾

Dear International Olympic Committee:

I am extremely disappointed by your lack of commitment to get China to honor its pledge to improve human rights before the Olympic Games.

Seven years ago, when bidding for the games, China promised to allow "complete freedom to report." But that didn't seem to matter to you, and only a few days before the Games, you caved to Beijing's demands to censor the media's Internet access during the Games.

Your organization has issued an apology for misleading journalists into thinking they would have totally unrestricted Internet access during the Olympics, but an apology is not enough.

According to the Olympic Charter, your mission is to promote Olympism by placing sport at the service of the harmonious development of man, with a view to promoting a peaceful society concerned with the preservation of human dignity; and your role is:

- to cooperate with the competent public or private organizations and authorities in the endeavor to place sport at the service of humanity and thereby to promote peace;

- to take action in order to strengthen the unity and to protect the independence of the Olympic Movement;

- to act against any form of discrimination affecting the Olympic Movement;

- to promote a positive legacy from the Olympic Games to the host cities and host countries.

By allowing China to censor the Internet for foreign journalists during the Games and to continue its harsh crackdown on political activists, you are not only demonstrating your lack of respect for human rights, but also failing to comply with your own mandate.

I urge you to stop playing China's games. Cutting a deal with China to allow Internet censorship was wrong and we want more than a simple apology. Human rights and freedom of expression are not negotiable; demand free Internet access for journalists covering the Olympic Games and pressure China to honor its pledge to improve human rights before the Games.

[Your comments]

Sincerely,
[Your name]

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According to the Olympic Charter, your mission is to promote Olympism by placing sport at the service of the harmonious development of man, with a view to promoting a peaceful society concerned with the preservation of human dignity; and your role is:
- to cooperate with the competent public or private organizations and authorities in the endeavor to place sport at the service of humanity and thereby to promote peace;
- to take action in order to strengthen the unity and to protect the independence of the Olympic Movement;
- to act against any form of discrimination affecting the Olympic Movement;
- to promote a positive legacy from the Olympic Games to the host cities and host countries.

By allowing China to censor the Internet for foreign journalists during the Games and to continue its harsh crackdown on political activists, you are not only demonstrating your lack of respect for human rights, but also failing to comply with your own mandate. I urge you to stop playing China's games. Cutting a deal with China to allow Internet censorship was wrong and we want more than a simple apology. Human rights and freedom of expression are not negotiable; demand free Internet access for journalists covering the Olympic Games and pressure China to honor its pledge to improve human rights before the Games. [Your comments] Sincerely, [Your name]

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Olympic Committee: Stop Playing China's Games!