Beijing Olympics - protest China vs support the athletes ?

HERE'S THE DEBATE

Beijing Olympics - protest China vs support the athletes ?

Should people protest the 2008 Summer Olympics & raise awareness of human rights in China or cheer on our athletes, their efforts & commitment to their chosen sport ?

MY POINT OF VIEW

There has been a lot of controversy over the last few weeks as the Beijing Olympic torch has made its way around the world (check out this link for it's journey so far).

Protests have surrounded the relay with demonstrations turning violent, particularly in London and Paris. Pro-Tibet supporters and other human rights activists have used the torch relay as a way to bring attention to their causes resulting in heightened security and a shortening of the planned relay routes in many cities.

Whilst I support many of the causes that are being raised by protestors, particularly the lack of transparency of human rights by Chinese authorities and the plight of the Tibetan people), I do NOT believe that the Olympics and the Olympic Torch Relay is an appropriate forum to raise such issues.

The Olympics are probably the single major event in the world that manages to bring together all the peoples of the world in a positive endeavour. The Olympic creed of "the most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part" is upheld with even the smallest nations sending atheletes to represent them. Nations that are literally at war, compete on the sporting field - showing their peoples what can be done if there is a will.

In this spirit of human achievement and effort, politics should not mix. Many of the athletes dedicate their lives to achieving their best and embody their own nation's spirits, which rise and fall with their efforts.

Bringing the politics of China, or any other nation, to this is doing an injustice to the athletes. Whilst you may argue that what is being done in China is an injustice to humanity, and I don't necessarily disagree, the Olympics is not an appropriate forum for airing political viewpoints.

The United Nations, other diplomatic and NGO bodies are the appropriate forums for these; economic actions and boycotts may be appropriate actions.

Chasing an athlete carrying a torch around a city and trying to extinguish the flame are not.

YOUR TURN!

What do you think ?

Should we protest or support the Olympic torch relay ?

Fetching blurbs now... please stand by

Support our Athletes

Kanga says:

The Olympics are about the uniting of countries in a positive manner. It's about the whole world, not just China. So while human rights are incredibly important to me, I don't think protesting against the torch relay is the most effective way of improving things for the people. Having said that, I do hope it has brought the issue a bit more publicity and made China a bit more aware of what people in the international community think.

Posted June 22, 2008

Protest against China

1 of 1 page

TORCH RELAY PICS

Torch Bearer

Lenovo Flags

On TV!

Torch Bearer

Remaining KCR logo

Powered by Flickr

LATEST NEWS

Greece's Olympic to cancel 100 flights Wednesday: The protest is also set to halt Athens' metro and intercity rail services for 24 hours, and disrupt other public transport. Olympic unions oppose ...
Olympic protest zones 'not needed': No protests were held during the Beijing Olympics because all the issues raised by would-be protesters were "resolved" ahead of time, a senior Chinese ...
Olympics host China breaks Golden Week holiday records: Tibet was rocked by protests in March, blamed by China on exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, whom Beijing labels a separatist. ...
Protest mars Olympic fun: "I think the idea is to make some f---in' noise here," shouted Garth Mullins, a fixture at anti-Olympic protests. "They're trying to drown us out, ...

Powered by Google

WIKIPEDIA WORDS ON HUMAN RIGHTS IN CHINA

"No issue in the relations between China and West in the past decades has inspired so much passion as human rights. Much more is at stake here than moral concerns and hurt national feelings. To many Westerners, the Chinese government appears ultimately untrustworthy on all issues because it is undemocratic. To Beijing, Western human rights pressure seems designed to compromise its legitimacy, and this threat hangs over what might otherwise be considered "normal" disputes on issues like trade and arms sales."

[Wan, M. and others (2001). Human Rights in Chinese Foreign Relations: Defining and Defending National Interests. University of Pennsylvania Press.]

Wikipedia: Human rights in the People's Republic of China: This article is about the People's Republic of China (Communist China).

Pro-Tibet Protests O... 0 points

PROVE THE POINT: Supporting our Athletes

If you agree, add links (proof!) that helps this cause

Add a link that makes the case.

^#1

Vote Up

Vote Down

History of Badminton

The sport of badminton is one that has roots heavi more...2 points

PROVE THE POINT : Protest against China

If you agree, add links (proof!) that helps this cause

Add a link that makes the case.

OFFICIAL OLYMPIC WEBSITES

Beijing 2008 Olympic Torch Relay website: "Light the passion, share the dream"
Beijing 2008 Olympic Games: The Official Website of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games
Beijing 2008 Olympic Games mascots: The Official Mascots of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games

HUMAN RIGHTS WEBSITES

United Nations Human Rights website: Virtually every United Nations body and specialized agency is involved to some degree in the protection of human rights. One of the great achievements of the United Nations is the creation of a comprehensive body of human rights law, which, for the first time in history, provides us with a universal and internationally protected code of human rights, one to which all nations can subscribe and to which all people can aspire.
hrw.org - defending human rights worldwide: Human Rights Watch is an independent, nongovernmental organization, supported by contributions from private individuals and foundations worldwide. It accepts no government funds, directly or indirectly.
Amnesty International: Amnesty International is a worldwide movement of people who campaign for internationally recognized human rights for all. Our supporters are outraged by human rights abuses but inspired by hope for a better world - so we work to improve human rights through campaigning and international solidarity.

Get a Souvenir

Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by

FREE TIBET CAMPAIGN

Free Tibet Campaign: Free Tibet Campaign stands for the Tibetans' right to determine their own future. It campaigns for an end to China's occupation of Tibet and for the Tibetans' fundamental human rights to be respected. Founded in 1987, Free Tibet Campaign generates active support by educating people about the situation in Tibet. It is independent of all governments and is funded by its members and supporters.