President Bush: Boycott Olympics Opening Ceremony
- al: Care2
- destinatario: President George Bush
When China was awarded the 2008 games seven years ago, the international community expected that this opportunity would help improve China's human rights record. Yet the world has witnessed exactly the opposite. Despite rallying cries around the world, China continues its harsh crackdown on protesters in Tibet and internal dissent, most recently by imprisoning noted human rights activist Hu Jia. But with the blazing tour of the Olympic torch, millions of protesters from Paris to San Francisco have been speaking out passionately for human rights in China, Tibet, Darfur and Burma. President Bush has a unique opportunity to speak out for those who are silenced. By boycotting the opening ceremonies of the Beijing Olympics, President Bush can join other world leaders in urging China to stop its repression of activists and work to improve human rights at home and in Darfur and Burma where China wields great influence.
Dear President Bush,
I am deeply disturbed by China's violent crackdown on activists and journalists in Tibet. I am also outraged at China's recent imprisonment of human rights activist Hu Jia. It is clear to me that instead of improving its human rights record as part of being awarded the 2008 Olympic Games, China is instead using the Games as an opportunity to further repress free speech in China and Tibet.
I urge you to demonstrate the US leadership in protecting human rights by taking this unique opportunity to pressure China to improve its human rights record. Specifically, I call on you to boycott the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games in Beijing to send a clear message to the Chinese government that we as a freedom-loving nation will not stand by and watch China abuse, repress and imprison citizens, activists and journalists who speak truth to power.
