Posted on 01/18/2022 9:07:57 AM PST by Oldeconomybuyer
GENEVA (AP) — Athletes at the Beijing Olympics were urged by human rights activists Tuesday to avoid criticizing China because they could be prosecuted.
The IOC has not yet publicly committed to how athletes who speak out would be protected, activists said in a briefing hosted by Human Rights Watch.
“Silence is complicity and that’s why we have concerns,” said Rob Koehler, the director general of the Global Athlete group. “We know the human rights record and the allowance of freedom of expression in China, so there’s really not much protection.”
The IOC has not responded to requests in recent days to clarify how Chinese law could apply at the Beijing Games, which open on Feb. 4.
“Chinese laws are very vague on the crimes they can use to prosecute people’s free speech,” Human Rights Watch researcher Yaqiu Wang said, citing potential offenses of provoking trouble or inciting subversion.
Two-time Olympic cross-country skier Noah Hoffman said he knew the United States team was now shielding its athletes from facing questions.
“That makes me upset and I am scared for their safety when they go to China,” Hoffman said. “They can speak out when they get back.”
(Excerpt) Read more at apnews.com ...
Cowardly “activists”? How inspiring.
China needs to postpone these Olympics. Japan postponed the summer Olympics and it worked out for them. It is less than 3 weeks from the opening ceremonies. How long before an Olympics do athletes usually start to arrive?
“human rights activists Tuesday to avoid criticizing China because they could be prosecuted.”
More Covid related deaths.
Very odd. Most human rights activists are begging to have their plight conveyed to the world. And this, on an international stage with lots of eyes.
I fully understand their concern. But aren’t they under the gun just waiting for a hammer to fall already?
Profiles in courage right there....
US should have boycotted these Olympics. We are doing nothing to oppose the terrible murder and repression going on there.
It’s amazing how they conflate the term “activist” with “corporate stooge” because this is all about the Benjamins.
Ratings will be dismal. No present NHL players participating in The Winter Olympics, in ice hockey, AGAIN.
Duuuh, shouldn’t if they want to come home.
Our athletes should go if they want. But out diplomatic boycott is the right move. They're a bunch of commies and they're not on their best behavior. Before Xi Jinping, they were still commies but they "appeared" to be better behaved back then. So let's ignore the Games (they suck anyway) and our high profile athletes are not going (NHL players - who wants to be locked in a cell due to a positive covid test?).
Ratings will be dismal, but not for the reason you stated. Case in point, 1980 Winter Olympics and the US Hockey Team. People love an undergo story. No one wants to watch highly paid NHL players fighting it out for a gold medal.
I agree. The winter games are nothing but one venue of medal events that are hosted all winter long, mostly throughout Europe. Example being the Alpine events.....
Stick to criticizing racism and slavery in America.
“ human rights activists“
“…the United States team was now shielding its athletes from facing questions.”
When I first started to read the article I wondered who was getting to the athletes to discuss politics. And when an athlete from Canada pointed out it was the US team itself, the puzzle pieces went together. The government is protecting its investment and the time and money spent protecting China and investing American citizens from public view.
Wy69
Like all of today's "activists", the main target of their ire is the Great Satan - the USA.
Then theylwuldnt be “activists”, would they?
More like pacifists.
-PJ
And the Orange Man.
Dirtbag regimes can’t stand criticism or scrutiny. China’s running dog government is a dirtbag regime.
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