Chinese government jeopardizing Olympic ideal, say Greens

OTTAWA – In the wake of a recent harsh and violent crackdown of Buddhist monks protesting in Tibet, the Green Party is calling on the Chinese government, as host nation to the 2008 Olympics, to instead uphold the Olympic ideal. This must be done through an agreement with the Tibetan government-in-exile that satisfies concerns around cultural survival, human dignity and religious freedom.

Green Party leader Elizabeth May expressed shock at the heavy-handed response of Chinese authorities in Tibet. The crackdown has already resulted in at least 10 deaths and possibly as many as 80.

“Whatever happened to the Olympic ideal of using sport to symbolize the harmonious development of humankind, with a view to promoting a peaceful society concerned with the preservation of human dignity?” asked Ms. May.

Eric Walton, International Affairs critic, also condemned the recent violence. “The Chinese government’s over-reaction to the Tibetan monks’ protest in order to preserve the illusion of ‘harmony’ has in fact had the opposite effect. Through trade and tourism, China is now part of the international community and, like it or not, the Chinese government is accountable to international norms of behavior.”