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26.03.08 EFA calls for olympic ceremony boycott (26/03/2008)
China's actions cannot go ignored
EFA has today called for all Scots Olympic officials and athletes to boycott the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics in protest over China's human rights record and over the ongoing Chinese occupation of Tibet.
The call comes as the European Parliament today in Brussels debates the ongoing crisis in Tibet and the Foreign Affairs Committee hears from Speaker of the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, Karma Chophel. Mr Smith has been contacted by several constituents in Scotland keen to see Scotland contributing to this debate.
Speaking in Brussels EFA MEP Alyn Smith said:
"On principle I do not believe that sport should be used as a political weapon because the more politics mixes with international sport the less healthy both become. Plenty other countries in the world, for example, would have no difficulty with China's actions but would roundly condemn the policy of the UK government in Iraq, bogging the Olympic movement down in a never ending quagmire of high and low political manoeuvrings which would serve nobody's interests.
"However, concerns over China's human rights record will not go away, and recent Chinese actions in Tibet highlight an ongoing and systematic abuse of human rights. However, it is clear that the member states will talk a good game but at the end of the day turn a blind eye, and this is just not good enough.
"I do not believe the Olympics should be used to pressure China, not least because I do not believe it will be successful, but some action is appropriate. A boycott of the opening ceremony would, with measured dignity, bring home to the Chinese people the widespread international discontent with the policies of their government, though would not mire the games in eternal controversy.
"At present Scotland does not have an Olympic team, unlike Rugby, Football and many others where we represent ourselves, but I call nonetheless on Scotland's athletes and officials to boycott the ceremony, and go on to win as many medals as possible."
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