01 April 2008
Olympics aren't improving rights in China: Amnesty
(Reuters) The Olympics have so far failed to catalyse reform in China and pledges to improve human rights before the Games look disingenuous after a string of violations in Beijing and a crackdown in Tibet, Amnesty International said. The International Olympic Committee, foreign leaders and overseas companies engaging with China could appear complicit if they fail to speak out about the rights violations, the human rights group said. It also called for an end to the repression. Amnesty also said the crackdown on a rash of demonstrations in and around Tibet in recent weeks has led to "serious human rights violations". "These actions cast doubt on whether the Chinese authorities are really serious about their commitment to improve human rights in the run up to the Olympics", Irene Khan, Secretary General of Amnesty International, said in a statement. "The Olympic Games have so far failed to act as a catalyst for reform. Unless urgent steps are taken to redress the situation, a positive human rights legacy for the Beijing Olympics looks increasingly beyond reach".