TWA protests against the anniversary of the IOC's decision to hold the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing
July 13th 2002: Today the Tibetan Women's Association (TWA) observes a black day, the first anniversary of Beijing being awarded the 2008 Olympic Games. We are deeply disappointed by the International Olympics Committee (IOC) decision to hold the 2008 Olympics in Beijing despite the continued human rights abuses committed in Tibet. Beijing's attempt to cover up foul play is evident and IOC members were aware of the situation in Tibet and China before making their vote. The IOC's negligent decision is like giving a stamp of approval to Beijing's poor human rights record, and it encourages China to escalate its oppression.
One year has passed since the IOC's decision and the promises made by the Chinese government that the human rights record will improve in line with the economic situation as a result of hosting the IOC. However, in the past few years, China's economy has been growing rapidly while its poor and minority peoples have continued to bear its corrupt policies. The promise is absolute fiction. There is no human rights progress in Tibet, and even in China human rights abuses have gone from bad to worse.
The Chinese government policy concerning international conventions and treaties is to sign them without any intention of following them up or upholding the principles they enshrine. The international community is fully aware of China's meaningless signatures, as China continues to violate international laws and human rights. How can IOC members be assured that China will deliver its promises? The recent brutal repression of the Falungong starkly illustrates to the IOC the acceleration of human rights abuses since the Beijing Olympics decision.
In late April 2002, reports were received from Tibet concerning evictions and demolitions of buildings contained within a World Heritage protected site in Lhasa. These demolitions are part of the Chinese authorities' ongoing destruction of traditional Tibetan buildings illustrating the Chinese government's determination to turn Tibet into a "modern" Chinese-style city, which will benefit Chinese and not Tibetans. These evictions and demolitions contradict numerous international laws. Among them is the right not to be forcefully evicted, an important principle in the right to adequate housing, contained in the International Convenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.
The summer and autumn of 2001 saw the demolition of the leading centre for Buddhist scholarship and practice in Tibet, the Serthar Institute. Over 8000 students were evicted and approximately 2000 of their homes were demolished under the supervision of teams of military and armed police personnel. After these demolitions and the resultant psychological trauma inflicted upon nuns, some committed suicide. Abbot of Serthar, Khenpo Jigme Phuntsok and his niece Jetsunma Muntso continue to be held incommunicado in Chengdu. In late May 2002, work teams carried out more evictions and demolitions in the Serthar Institute. A total of 27 monks and nuns dwellings were demolished and their inhabitants evicted. These monks and nuns are now scattered and have no way of continuing their religious study.
China has been making superficial gestures to appease the IOC like its recent release of political prisoners Ngawang Choephel, Tanak Jigme Sangpo and Chadrel Rinpoche. These prisoners were given sentences of up to twenty years for exercising their freedom of expression. The fact that they were imprisoned is testimony to the atrocious human rights violations committed by China. Although China is releasing these political prisoners very publicly before the IOC and the international community it does not signal a change in China's repressive policies. The recent imprisonment of Tenzin Deleg Rinpoche, from Lithang county in Kardze, is illustrative of China's ongoing brutal, repressive policies. China must do more than release a few high profile political prisoners. Hundreds of Tibetans still languish in Chinese jails and anyone exercising their freedom to practice religion is still brutally repressed. The Chinese Communist Party maintains control by strictly limiting freedom of expression and freedom of information. Information coming out and into China and Tibet is severely limited. China's recent crackdown on Internet usage is an example of their restrictive policies. In line with these policies, media are not given freedom to report accurately on the situation in Tibet. There movement is strictly limited. As a result, unlike Afghanistan or the issue of Palestine and Israel the CCP policies in Tibet and their devastating result do not receive adequate media coverage.
The TWA deeply regrets the decision of the IOC. Beijing is a completely inappropriate place to host the 2008 Olympics unless and until the Chinese Communist Party respect human rights and stop human rights violations. We strongly urge the IOC to immediately investigate the current situation in Tibet and take immediate action. On 24 April, IOC President, Jacques Rogge said "We are convinced that the Olympic Games will improve human rights in China". However, thus far, Beijing's human rights record has deteriorated. The IOC is rewarding the Chinese Communist Party for its abuse of Tibetan people and its repressive polices which deeply impact citizens of China. The IOC must make this change. You have the power to pressure the Chinese Communist Party using the Olympic games as leverage. Jacques Rogge has said "The IOC is a responsible organization and if ... human rights are not acted upon to our satisfaction, then we will act." On behalf of all Tibetans and all citizens of China, please do not waste this opportunity.