China Olympic Legacy

When China made its bid for the 2008 Olympics, authorities promised improvements in human rights. The countdown to the Beijing Olympics has begun, and the Chinese authorities must make good on their promises and uphold the legacy of the Games. Amnesty International is working with activists on the following four issues:

• ABOLISH ‘RE-EDUCATION THROUGH LABOR’: End arbitrary police detentions, arrests without trial, and forced labor programs.
• HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS: Release Chinese human rights defenders and allow them to carry out peaceful actions in accordance with international law.
• FREEDOM FROM CENSORSHIP: Provide full media freedom to journalists, both foreign and domestic, and end censorship of the internet.
• STOP EXECUTIONS: Lower the number of crimes punishable by death and ensure fair trials for the accused. Together we can help individuals facing human rights abuses and encourage China to make long-term reforms and improve its human rights record.

For more information, see Campaign Introduction: Legacy of the Bejing Olympics (PDF)

Resources:
» Download the press engagement kit: "China's Choice Your Voice: Legacy of the Beijing Olympics" (PDF) to see China's preparations for the Beijing Olympics.
» Read a letter (PDF) from AIUSA executive director, Larry Cox asking President Bush to urge the Chinese government to fufill its human rights commitment.
» Read a letter to the President of the People's Republic of China, Hu Jintao, urging him to promote human rights in China.
» Read testimony presented by T. Kumar, Advocacy Director for Asia and the Pacific, before the US Congress: Broken Promises: The 2008 Olympics and the Human Rights Situation in China
» Read testimony presented by T. Kumar, Advocacy Director for Asia and the Pacific, before the US Congress: China On the Eve of the Olympics (PDF)

NEW:
» Watch an animation created by AI UK for the Human Rights in China campaign
 » Visit "The China Debate" and join the conversation

Read a blog from the Olympics by former NBA player, John Amaechi

UPDATE: Fear of torture and other ill-treatment of Tibetan detainees.
» Take Urgent Action (PDF)

Reports:
People’s Republic of China: crackdown on activists threatens Olympics legacy (PDF)

People’s Republic of China: The Olympics countdown – crackdown on Tibetan protesters (PDF)

People’s Republic of China: The Olympics countdown – broken promises (PDF)

Olympics Final Countdown - Facts and Figures (PDF)

Olympics Final Countdown - Report Update (PDF)

Learn more:

• Important Dates
  Mark your calendar, important events as we count down to the Beijing Olympics
• Casework
  Learn more about individual cases of imprisoned human rights defenders in China
• Take Action
  Act now for human rights in China
• Resources
  More ways to take action, download postcards and petitions
• Videos
  Watch videos of Amnesty members gathering in front of the White House and AIUSA Asia Advocacy director speaks at a Washington Press Club event

Take Action

Defend online freedom of expression in China
Amnesty International is concerned that Chinese Internet service providing companies, including Baidu, Sina and Sohu, are complying with Chinese government requests and demands to censor content online and otherwise repress the rights to freedom of expression and privacy. Call on these companies to ensure the Internet fulfills its potential to empower and educate and to create global communities. » More actions

DISCLAIMER
Amnesty International would like to make clear that a series of images (depicting an execution, torture and detention using sports venues or equipment) that have been circulating on the web are not part of Amnesty International's Beijing Olympics campaign. Amnesty International is neither endorsing nor disseminating them. Amnesty International believes that the Beijing Olympics presents the Chinese authorities with an opportunity to make positive human rights reforms - something they committed to do when bidding for the Games in 2001.

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