TAIPEI, September 15 – Three human rights groups based in the Czech Republic called on the international community to force mainland China to improve its human rights record before 2006 or strip it of the right to host the 2008 Olympic Games, according to local human rights activists.
The activists handed out a news release jointly issued by Olympic Watch, the International Society for Human Rights and the Laogai Research Foundation on Aug 29 in Prague in which the three groups claimed that mainland China’s human rights record is a mockery of the value of the “harmonious development of man” and “human dignity” enshrined by the Olympics in its charter.
The three groups said Beijing should meet six minimum human rights standards before 2006 to prove it can be a good host for the next summer Olympic Games, or else the three groups will help the international community find another host for the Games.
The six minimum standards unveiled by the three groups are: First, ratification and implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights — the People’s Republic of China signed the covenant six years ago, but has not yet ratified it.
Second, military force must not be used against peaceful democratic activities. Deploying the PLA against any peaceful democratic progress, such as what is going on in Taiwan, is not a legitimate use of force for any country.
Third, place a moratorium on the death penalty. China’s use of the death penalty takes place in an environment lacking in trials that meet fair and impartial standards and is used as part of the oppressive apparatus of the totalitarian regime.
Forth, open talks with the Tibetan government-in-exile. The government of the People’s Republic of China needs to match the goodwill of the Tibetan government-in-exile and enter talks without any pre-conditions.
Fifth, guarantee democracy in Hong Kong. The people of Hong Kong have clearly demonstrated their desire for more democracy and for the Beijing government to respect their traditional rights and liberties.
These should be respected.
Sixth, abolish “laogai” and “laojiao” camps. The system of extrajudicial detentions, abused for the persecution of political dissidents and adherents of spiritual movements, must be abolished.
Should the Beijing authorities continue violating human rights, the international community should rescind mainland China’s right to host the 2008 summer Olympics and find another host city instead, the three groups said.
