The “Tagesspiegel” (Germany): Death and Games

Berlin: An Olympic medallist participated recently in a hunger strike, because of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China. Martin Rubenis, who was awarded the bronze metal in Turin Italy for his figure skating performance, joined a protest event outside the Chinese Consulate in Riga Latvia three weeks ago. This was a short-term hunger strike by the spiritual group Falun Gong because their members are suffering cruel repression in China. Rubenis is also a Falun Gong practitioner. “The Chinese Communist Party couldn’t care less about human rights and yet, they were chosen as the venue for Olympic performances. I find this, as an athlete, completely unacceptable,” said Rubenis.

Sports officials in Germany also are concerned about China’s human rights violations. Manfred von Richthofen, President of the German Sports Association said, “One can point to intolerable activities, such as violation of religious freedom, as Christian practitioners are lingering in prison.” This should be a concern to the International Olympic Committee (IOC). “So far, I have not heard the IOC taking a firm stand to date.”

The IOC appears to have a clear understanding of its responsibility. “The IOC does not have a statutory ceiling, but a moral obligation,” said the German IOC member Walther Tröger. The Olympic charter requires ethical behaviour as one of the Olympic fundamental principles. The objective is to advance a peaceful society and the protection of human dignity. Discrimination based on race, religion, political attitude or gender is inconsistent with the Olympic movement.

So far, the sports officials have stressed the opportunities that the Olympic games will bring to China. More than 20,000 media representatives are expected. Dirk Pleiter, Amnesty-International’s China expert cautioned, “There is no precedent for human rights improvement even though so many reporters visit the country.”

On the contrary, the danger is that in connection with the games, human rights violations will become worse, such as the freedom of opinion, freedom of assembly and the right to live. “Dissident movements and groups such as Falun Gong will use the Olympics to make their objectives known," said Pleiter. Most likely the Chinese regime will take action to prevent such objectives. “It could result in house detention and imprisonment,” said Pleiter. Also, Amnesty International observed that before large events, there are more death sentences in China. The Chinese regime believes that the death sentences are a deterrent against possible criminal behaviour.

“Recently, Amnesty published that there were 1,770 executions last year more than in any other country in the world. A China expert put the number of executions at 8,000. People who may receive death sentences, as Amnesty has discovered, include people who have evaded taxes or are involved with drugs,” said Pleiter.

Yet, what should the IOC do about it? The Christian Democrat (CDU) Lower House of the German Parliament member Klaus Riegert said, “I don’t believe that it helps to discuss human rights openly. This only worsens the situation.” Riegert is a member of the sports committee of the Lower House of the German Parliament.

IOC member Tröger said, “Human rights are just like personal safety: The more one discusses it, the less will be granted.” Pleiter, the China expert, does not agree with Tröger, “It is of great importance to discuss human rights in public. This helps to put political pressure and concerning political pressure, the regime in Beijing is very sensitive.”

Many suggestions have been made as to how the sports official can address human rights. Winfried Hermann, the sports political speaker for one of the parliamentary parties in the Lower House of the German Parliament, the Bündnis90/Die Grünen (the Alliance 90/The Greens) said, “Under the banner of sports one can discuss it in their jargon and ask, if the Chinese efforts are governed by the sports standards, keyword “Doping.” Or, one could discuss the rights of children or the youth.” Herman can see value in symbolic actions. “German athletes could visit a Catholic church in Beijing. There is a Catholic state sanctioned church that is not banned, but there is also some underground churches that are being persecuted.” Also, athletes and officials could meet with groups that are critical of the regime in power and can hold discussions with them. “However, not to meet necessarily with those who criticise the system the most,” said Hermann.

Dirk Pleiter, who intends to approach as a member of Amnesty International the IOC and individual members, gives hope to the sports officials. “Our experience has shown that the Chinese official know how to deal with critics.”

Originally published in German at: http://www.clearharmony.de/articles/200605/31189.html