Sweden: Human Rights Torch Relay Receives Massive Support in Gothenburg

On the 8th of October 2007, the Human Rights Torch Relay arrived in Sweden’s second largest city, Gothenburg. Pelle Petterson, who won an Olympic silver medal and bronze medal for Sailing in the 60’s and 70’s carried the Human Rights Torch on behalf of people in Gothenburg. MPs from seven different parties gave speeches at the event and many human rights organisations, artists and young athletes were there showing their support.

Human Rights Torch Relay arrives in Gothenburg

Both Left and Right Wing Parties Expressed Support

The people who came to support the Human Rights Torch Relay included MPs and politicians from different parties, among them are the Moderate Party MP and Industry Management Committee Director Hans Rothenberg, Swedish People’s Party MP and Diplomatic Committee director Cecilia Wigstrom, Centre Party MP and director of Industrial and Commercial Committee Eva Selin Lindberg, Christian Democratic Party MP and director of Labour Committee Lennart Sacredeus, Green Party MPs Peter Radberg and Karla Lopez, Social Democratic Party MP Robert Hammarstrand and Left Party MP Hans Linde.

They all condemned the persecution of the Chinese people by the CCP regime. Meanwhile, they also sharply criticised the International Olympic Committee for giving the right to hold the Olympics to the CCP.

Cecilia Wigstrom MP said, “The Olympics should not be held in China, because large scale persecution is happening there at the moment; for example, the persecution of peaceful religious’ believers, the persecution of human rights lawyers and reporters, harvesting organs from living people and slave labour etc. We are here to express our disgust to the Chinese government. Sweden and the European Union and other democratic countries should make use of this opportunity together to put pressure on the CCP, forcing them to improve the human rights situation. We should let them know that the whole world is watching them.”

MP, Hans Rothenberg said, “Since the Chinese government wants to hold the Olympics, they should accept the spirit of the Olympics. One thousand and three hundred million Chinese people have no freedom of speech and thought under control of the regime. The Swedish government should make use of every opportunity of having meetings with Chinese officials or private communications to make it clear that we respect Chinese people, but we do not accept the way the Chinese government treats their people. I hope the Swedish athletes can help the Chinese people have a big lead forward in the human rights aspect.”

Cecilia Wigstrom MP from People’s Party (the first from right), Peter Radberg MP from Green Party (the second from right), Eva Selin Lindberg MJP from Centre Party (the third from right), Hans Rothenberg MP from the Moderates Party (the fourth from right)

Parliament Resolutions Bring Pressure on the CCP

A few days ago, a Resolution entitled ‘‘Support human rights in China before the Olympics’’, which was drafted by MP Karla Lopez and has been seconded by MPs from many parties before being submitted to the Swedish Parliament. The resolution requests the Swedish government to pay attention to organ harvesting from living people and the persecution of reporters and human rights lawyer Zhisheng Gao and so on. It also requests that the Swedish government should actively associate with other European countries, making use of the Olympics to put pressure on the Chinese government and to support Chinese human rights.

MP Karla Lopez said, ‘‘I support Chinese human rights. Other Gothenburg politicians and I put forward the Resolution related to the Olympics and Chinese human rights, to make it clear to the government that we do not accept violations of human rights.’’ Then Karla told our reporter ‘‘I grew up under the control of a dictatorship. People did not have freedom of speech and dare not to believe each other. I grew up in a totalitarian society, so I knew the truth behind that. Autarchy is source of social sicknesses, if you want to have a good society, the autarchy system must be rooted out.”

MP Karla Lopez running for the Human Rights Torch Relay

Another Resolution named ‘‘When will the Swedish government break its silence to China?’’ was submitted to Parliament by Peter Radberg and his colleagues in the Green Party. In it, they asked the Swedish government to adopt a strong attitude towards the CCP, asking them to stop the death penalty, to stop the brutal persecution of religious believers and activists with different opinions, and to release all innocent people. They asked the Swedish government to take action immediately.

Peter Radberg talked to our reporter: “The Resolution we have suggested will be discussed in the Parliament meeting, it will not exceed half a year at the most. This Human Rights Torch Relay is very good. The Swedish government and the Swedish people must stand out, must pay more attention to Chinese human rights issues. ’’

Various People Supported the Human Rights Torch Relay

The ambassador of the Human Rights Torch Relay in Gothenburg is 65 year old Pelle Petterson who had won Olympics medals twice. He took over the Human Rights Torch from a lady who was in traditional Swedish dress. He said: ‘‘I am very happy to participate in this Human Rights Torch Relay. I was not interested in politics before. However, after hearing about the human rights persecution in China, I would like to influence the Chinese government through this opportunity, to help Chinese people, and let them enjoy democracy and human rights as we do. So I am very willing to participate and support this Human Rights Torch Relay.’’

65 year old Pelle Petterson (centre) received two Olympic medals

There were also many artists who joined this activity. In order to be in sync with the Human Rights Torch Relay activity, graphic artist Annika Lundberg and artist Ann Carlsson Korneev together held an exhibition, giving tribute to the artists and musicians who are calling out for human rights and freedom of speech in China.

“I think China must respect human rights in order to be qualified to hold the Olympics. A lot of Chinese artists and writers are persecuted because of publishing their thoughts. My art draws many things related to the spirit. This is very sensitive issue in China.”

A group of girls fro a youth roller skating hockey team participated in the Human Rights Torch Relay. Fifteen year old Helena Lager said, “We are very happy to join this activity, so that we can bring help of some kind to Chinese human rights. After getting to know the persecution cases happening in China, I felt it was very severe and very fearful. It is wrong for the Chinese government to treat its own people like that.

Roller skating hockey team members participated in the Human Rights Torch Relay.

A representative of the Gothenburg United Nations Association said, “I think the persecution of human rights in China is very serious. It’s very important to let people know the truth before the Olympic Games. We have started a project before the Olympic Games, which is holding some research meetings on China’s problems, in order to come to know more.”