Written by : Wiki
Some international groups attempted to pressure the IOC to reject Beijing's bid in protest of the state of human rights in the People's Republic of China. One Chinese dissident who expressed similar sentiments was arrested and sentenced to two years in prison for calling on the IOC to do just that at the same time that IOC inspectors were touring the city. Amnesty International expressed concern in 2006 regarding the Olympic Games to be held in China in 2008, likewise expressing concerns over the human rights situation. The second principle in the Fundamental Principles of Olympism, Olympic Charter states that The goal of Olympism is to place sport at the service of the harmonious development of man, with a view to promoting a peaceful society concerned with the preservation of human dignity. Amnesty International considers the policies and practices of the People's Republic as failing to meet that principle, and urged the IOC to press China to immediately enact human rights reform.
Written by : TWA
The Olympic Charter's Fundamental Principles
1. Modern Olympism was conceived by Pierre de Coubertin, on whose initiative the International Athletic Congress of Paris was held in June 1894. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) consituted itself on 23rd June 1894. In August 1994, the XII Congress, Centennial Olympic Congress, which was entitled "Congress of Unity", was held in Paris.
2. Olympism is a philosophy of life, exalting and combining in a balanced whole the qualities of body, will and mind. Blending sport with culture and education, Olympism seeks to create a way of life based on the joy found in effort, the educational value of good example and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles.
3. The goal of Olympism is to place everywhere sport at the service of the harmonious development of man, with a view to encouraging the establishment of a peaceful society concerned with the preservation of human dignity. To this effect, the Olympic Movement engages, alone or in cooperation with other organizations and within the limits of its means, in actions to promote peace.
4. The Olympic Movement, led by the IOC, stems from modern Olympism.
5. Under the supreme Authority of the IOC, the Olympic Movement encompasses organizations, athletes and other persons who agree to be guided by the Olympic Charter. The criterion for belonging to the Olympic Movement is recognition by the IOC. The organization and management of sport must be controlled by the independent sport organizations recognized as such.
6. The goal of the Olympic Movement is to contribute to building a peaceful and better world by educating youth through sport practised without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play.
7. The activity of the Olympic movement, symbolized by five interlaced rings, is universal and permanent. It covers the five continents. It reaches its peak with the bringing together of athletes of the world at the great sports festival, the Olympic Games.
8. The practice of sport is a human right. Every individual must have the possibility of practising sport in accordance with his or her needs.
9. The Olympic Charter is the codification of the Fundamental Principles, Rules and Bye-laws adopted by the IOC. It governs the organization and operation of the Olympic Movement and stipulates the conditions for the celebration of the Olympic Games.
Written by : globalsecurity.org
The Indian frontier state of Arunachal Pradesh Tuesday reacted strongly to China's claims of the region being a "disputed area", officials told IRNA Tuesday.
China's envoy to New Delhi, Sun Yuxi, Friday raked up a controversy ahead of the landmark visit by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao saying the northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh was still "a disputed area" between India and China.
"China's claims and the statement made by its ambassador to India are erroneous to say the least.
There is no dispute whatsoever and Arunachal Pradesh is very much an integral part of India," Arunachal Pradesh Home Minister Jarbom Gamlin said.
Beijing in 2003 gave up its territorial claim over the Indian state of Sikkim but was still holding on to its age-old stand that a vast stretch of Arunachal Pradesh belongs to China.
"We have lodged a formal protest with the Indian Foreign Ministry over the Chinese ambassador's statement," Gamlin said.
"The people of Arunachal Pradesh do whatever is required to protect and preserve its territorial integrity."
The mountainous state of Arunachal Pradesh shares a 1,030-km (650-mile) unfenced border with China.
The China-India border along Arunachal Pradesh is separated by the McMahon Line, an imaginary border which is now known as the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
India and China fought a bitter border war in 1962, with Chinese troops advancing deep into Arunachal Pradesh and inflicting heavy casualties on federal troops.
The border dispute with China was inherited by India from British colonial rulers, who hosted a 1914 conference with the Tibetan and Chinese governments that set the border in what is now Arunachal Pradesh.
China has never recognized the 1914 boundary, known as the McMahon Line, and claims 90,000 square kilometers (34,750 square miles) -- nearly all -- of Arunachal Pradesh.
India also accuses China of occupying 8,000 square kilometers (14,670 square miles) in Kashmir.
the best smiles are the ones you lead to
-Mike
Certified Mad Doctor and HoP High Priest of Nutella
A buckuht n a hooze! -Valura
Faith
Nay, whatever comes one hour was sunlit and the most high gods may not make boast of any better thing than to have watched that hour as it passed
i would have changed ***** to phallus, and claire to petey Petey
Rougie: but that's what I'm doing here
Arnwyn: what letting me adjust myself in your room?..don't you dare quote that on HoP...
the best smiles are the ones you lead to
Written by :FireTom
Well, Rouge that's the results if you provide the award in advance.
i would have changed ***** to phallus, and claire to petey Petey
Rougie: but that's what I'm doing here
Arnwyn: what letting me adjust myself in your room?..don't you dare quote that on HoP...
the best smiles are the ones you lead to
If we as members of the human race practice meditation, we can transcend our fear, despair, and forgetfulness. Meditation is not an escape. It is the courage to look at reality with mindfulness and concentration. Thich Nhat Hanh
the best smiles are the ones you lead to
Written by : Yellfire
FireTom, do you think it will be 'fair' for the UK to host the Olympics in 2012, given its active participation in an illegal war in Iraq and the deaths of thousands of innocent civilians?
Do you think it was fair for Australia to host the Olympics in 2000, given the extreme poverty that most of its aboriginal population lives in, while the white population enjoys one of the highest living standards in the world?
Was it fair for the US to host the Olympics in 1996, given its long history of waging illegal wars in other parts of the world, use of nuclear weapons in Japan and chemical weapons in Vietnam, unconditional support for dictators in the Middle East and Latin America, attempted assassinations of sovereign leaders with alternative viewpoints, etc.?
Will it be fair for the US to host the Olympics in the future, considering that they have kidnapped hundreds of people from around the world and are holding them in appalling conditions at Guantanamo Bay without trial?
Less hypocrisy please!
Written by : Hamamelis
Hm, while I do have pretty serious questions about several of the policies you're referring to, all of them are at least more complicated- I'm not implying justifiable just that I can see most of them have another side.
The Australian situation is largely inherited, and I certainly can't say exactly what they 'should do to solve it', likewise the Iraq war is a mess, and I did take part in protests against our involvement. but I don't believe there is a real intent to conquer Iraq, it was more a case of the UK (and the US, and Australia) inappropriately picking sides in an already bad situation, even if that situation was partly created by us-comparing that to annexing an un-war-like neighbour is pretty unequal.
I also have to admit here- I'm not really fussed about the Olympics, due in part to not having a TV, so I never watch anyway, and whenever anyone talks about the 'true spirit of the Olympics', the automatic thought is they want women out, and the guys to take part in the nude.. which should at least make the Winter Olympics more interesting.
Written by : Rouge Dragon
I think it's unfair to say that because the US bombed Japan 50 years ago, then they shouldn't have hosted the Olympics.
China is *currently* abusing human rights.
If you want to dig up history, no-one would *ever* host the Olympics. You need to look at now and to the future.
And I like Hama's point about the "true spirit of the Olympics".
Written by : Yellfire
Rouge Dragon, that's kind of what I'm saying, instead of being hypocrites, if we uniformly apply the standards we are trying to apply to China, nobody would ever host the Olympics. The US may have bombed Japan 50 years ago but innocent people are having their human rights violated in Iraq and Guantanamo at this very point in time, i.e. *currently*. In fact most people would consider the situations in these places a lot worse than Tibet.
Hamamelis, I agree that the Australian situation is complicated, but I have no idea what you mean by the US and UK 'inappropriately picking sides'!? They invaded a country, which resulted in thousands, possibly hundreds of thousands dying, I think people generally agree on that.
I was not saying that nobody should host the Olympics, simply that most countries that host the Olympics are equally if not more guilty of human rights abuses. So let’s not be hypocritical and single out China.
Written by ; Lurch
The Olympics should be about the sports, and the athletes, coming together and and least temporarily overcoming any sort of spiritual, religious or political factors.
They held the summer games in Berlin in 1936, you can't tell me this is worse than that. Condemn China's policies, by all means speak up against them, but don't condemn the Olympics, they have *nothing* to do with it. I think all the protesters who've been attacking the flame are extremely distasteful.. but that's just my opinion.
Written by : Rouge
I don't think that they *are* condemning the Olympics. They're condemning China. It's just that because China are hosting the Olympics it's overlapped.
Written by : RoarfireWritten by : Lurch
I think all the protesters who've been attacking the flame are extremely distasteful.. but that's just my opinion.
I totally agree
Written by : fNI
*completely* agree with what lurch wrote
in ancient Greece, wars used to be put on hold during the Olympics, it was a time for the Greek world to come together in a celebration of athletics and competition
Written by : Hamamelis
If anyone could get the planet to put all the wars on hold for the duration of the Olympics, that would change my attitiude to 'em a bit..
Personally, as I don't take the Olympics very seriously, I can't honestly object to China hosting them- but I don't have any objection to anyone using that fact as an opportunity for protest either- and I know there's a lot of pyros around here, and I am putting this deliberately childishly..but I really can't understand why people seem to think it's a worse offence to try and publicly put out a burning stick than to invade a country...?
And I never did get the 'calling time out' on wars thing either. Reminds me of an 'Asterix and Obelix' book, where the romans invade Britain, and the british insist on stopping the fight at 5pm every day for a nice hot drink..
Written by : Stone
I think it really depends on whether people are prepared to put self-gratification and entertainment, ahead of human rights.
“The goal of Olympism is to place sport at the service of the harmonious development of man, with a view to promoting a peaceful society concerned with the preservation of human dignity” (olympic.org).
There was much debate over whether China, with a poor human rights record, should stage the Olympics. The Chinese authorities insisted that the games would lead to improvements in the human rights situation. Clearly this has not happened, and China has reneged on that agreement.
Boycotting Olympics is not new. “The 1956 Melbourne Olympics were the first Olympics that were boycotted by the Netherlands, Spain, and Switzerland, because of the repression of the Hungarian Uprising by the Soviet Union; additionally, Cambodia, Egypt, Iraq, and Lebanon, boycotted the games due to the Suez Crisis. The People's Republic of China withdrew from Melbourne Games in protest of continuing recognition of separate NOC in Taiwan.” (Wiki).
Written by : Rouge
yes yes yes!
China was given the reward *before* the good behaviour. So now they have the reward, why do they need to show the good behaviour? It was stupid to award China the Olympics, thinking they'd actually improve things. Not that it excuses China for abuses of human rights though.
Written by : Yelfire
Rouge Dragon, once again, why are you singling out China for human rights abuses but ignoring abuses by western nations? Why does China need to be given a 'reward for good behavior', but countries such as the US and UK by default have a right to host the Olympics, despite dismal human rights records? I guess my real question is, if the Chinese population was white, Christian and capitalist, would you feel differently?
Written by : Rouge
That's no less that suggesting that I'm racist.
You will get no more discussion out of me for that.
Written by :onewheeldaveWritten by :Yell fire!
Rouge Dragon, once again, why are you singling out China for human rights abuses but ignoring abuses by western nations? Why does China need to be given a 'reward for good behavior', but countries such as the US and UK by default have a right to host the Olympics, despite dismal human rights records? I guess my real question is, if the Chinese population was white, Christian and capitalist, would you feel differently?
It's a good point, the US/UK record in the middle east is no better than Chinas in Tibet- and, to the extent that US/UK govts can 'justify' that record, equally the Chinese can do the same with Tibet.
I think that, from the perspective of the protesting Tibetans, they're just doing what is necessary to make their point, protect their culture, human rights and relatives- using the opportunity of the Olympics to attract the eyes of the world, at which, they are being very successful.
Just because the US/UK violate human rights, shouldn't detract from the Tibetans (and, by extension, their supporters, including westeners) efforts to protect theirs- after all, maybe if their efforts produce results, then, when it comes to the US or UK's next hosting of the olympics, there could be protests against their record.
But, overall, your quote-Written by :Yell fire!
I guess my real question is, if the Chinese population was white, Christian and capitalist, would you feel differently?
is, IMO, something to think about, because, if the US/UK are as guilty of human rights abuses as the Chinese, then, what could the difference be, other than race/political system?
It's a valid question.
What i've found from reading some of the views of Chinese people on various boards, is that their justifications of what's happened in Tibet, are disturbingly similar to those of our politicians supporting what's been done in the Middle East (eg- it's 'beneficial to them')
Written by : BurdaA
I enjoy slating the UK’s human rights record as much as the next social malcontent, but comparing the two situations (Iraq & Tibet) IMO draws from the fundamental importance of both. Surely no-one is suggesting that genocide is acceptable, be it eastern or western.
I also feel that a ‘who are we to say anything, we’re just as bad’ attitude probably contributes to why these kinds of atrocities are allowed to prevail. Both at home and abroad.
Written by :Yell fire!
I guess my real question is, if the Chinese population was white, Christian and capitalist, would you feel differently?
Ummmm.. rhetorical?…no. Nor do I condone the UK/US’s occupation of Iraq or Guantanamo's apparent Geneva loophole.
As for the Olympics, I’ve never really had enough interest to suppose one way or the other. In a way it shall be boycotted by me, in the same way all the previous have. Sorry, but athletics all strikes me as being a little boring. Although if I were to form an opinion, I would suggest that linking sport with human rights violations probably diminishes the worth of both.
IMHO
the best smiles are the ones you lead to
Written by : Yellfire
(...)if we uniformly apply the standards we are trying to apply to China, nobody would ever host the Olympics.
Written by : Yellfire
The US may have bombed Japan 50 years agobut innocent people are having their human rights violated in Iraq and Guantanamo at this very point in time, i.e. *currently*. In fact most people would consider the situations in these places a lot worse than Tibet.
Written by : Yellfire
I was not saying that nobody should host the Olympics, simply that most countries that host the Olympics are equally if not more guilty of human rights abuses. So let’s not be hypocritical and single out China.
Written by : Lurch
The Olympics should be about the sports, and the athletes, coming together and and least temporarily overcoming any sort of spiritual, religious or political factors.
They held the summer games in Berlin in 1936, you can't tell me this is worse than that. Condemn China's policies, by all means speak up against them, but don't condemn the Olympics, they have *nothing* to do with it. I think all the protesters who've been attacking the flame are extremely distasteful.. but that's just my opinion.
Written by : fNI
in ancient Greece, wars used to be put on hold during the Olympics, it was a time for the Greek world to come together in a celebration of athletics and competition
Written by : Stone
I think it really depends on whether people are prepared to put self-gratification and entertainment, ahead of human rights.
Written by : Yelfire
Rouge Dragon, once again, why are you singling out China for human rights abuses but ignoring abuses by western nations? Why does China need to be given a 'reward for good behavior', but countries such as the US and UK by default have a right to host the Olympics, despite dismal human rights records? I guess my real question is, if the Chinese population was white, Christian and capitalist, would you feel differently?
Written by :onewheeldave
It's a good point, the US/UK record in the middle east is no better than Chinas in Tibet- and, to the extent that US/UK govts can 'justify' that record, equally the Chinese can do the same with Tibet.
Written by : OWD
I think that, from the perspective of the protesting Tibetans, they're just doing what is necessary to make their point, protect their culture, human rights and relatives- using the opportunity of the Olympics to attract the eyes of the world, at which, they are being very successful.
Written by : OWD
(..)after all, maybe if their efforts produce results, then, when it comes to the US or UK's next hosting of the olympics, there could be protests against their record.(...)
Written by :Yell fire!
I guess my real question is, if the Chinese population was white, Christian and capitalist, would you feel differently?
Written by : BurdaA
I enjoy slating the UK’s human rights record as much as the next social malcontent, but comparing the two situations (Iraq & Tibet) IMO draws from the fundamental importance of both. Surely no-one is suggesting that genocide is acceptable, be it eastern or western.
I also feel that a ‘who are we to say anything, we’re just as bad’ attitude probably contributes to why these kinds of atrocities are allowed to prevail. Both at home and abroad.
the best smiles are the ones you lead to
Written by :Doc Lightning
Personally, I think it's time that we stopped the Olympics. It's no longer about great amateur athletes. When 14-year-olds start to be tortured into great athletes, when doping become more important than training, when the speed of a pool becomes more important than the speed of the swimmer...the games are over.
I no longer watch the Olympics or pay them any attention at all.
"You can't outrun Death forever.
But you can make the Bastard work for it."
--MAJOR KORGO KORGAR,
"Last of The Lancers"
AFC 32
Educate your self in the Hazards of Fire Breathing STAY SAFE!
Written by :FireTom
Personally I didn't support the Iraq war - and I'm all for refraining from building up dictators like Saddam in the first place. Which is why I am avoiding Chinese products as much as I possibly can. Fact of the matter again is that *now* the Iraqis are caught up between a rock and a hard place. I feel that "the West" can't just withdraw their troops and leave them to kill each other (which they most likely will).
So: NO, I wouldn't feel different.
Written by :FireTom
Personally I didn't support the Iraq war - and I'm all for refraining from building up dictators like Saddam in the first place. Which is why I am avoiding Chinese products as much as I possibly can. Fact of the matter again is that *now* the Iraqis are caught up between a rock and a hard place. I feel that "the West" can't just withdraw their troops and leave them to kill each other (which they most likely will).
So: NO, I wouldn't feel different.
Holistic Spinner (I hope)
Written by :Poiboy
yell fire, while i agree that the US shouldn't have gone to war in Iraq in the first place, if they were to withdraw right now that would just leave the local militias fighting for control in the area, probably killing thousands in the process.
"You can't outrun Death forever.
But you can make the Bastard work for it."
--MAJOR KORGO KORGAR,
"Last of The Lancers"
AFC 32
Educate your self in the Hazards of Fire Breathing STAY SAFE!
Written by :Yell fire!
Fact of the matter is, Olympics or no Olympics you are avoiding Chinese products but are not avoiding American products
Written by : YF
despite the fact that the US is responsible for so many more deaths in recent years than China is.
Written by : YF
On many occassions in your posts you almost try to justify the Iraq invasion, saying there was never an intent to conquer Iraq (???)
Written by : YF
or that the occupation may have been a bad idea but oh well, what can we do now?
Written by : YF
Which brings me back to the same question: Is it because the US and UK are white, Christian and capitalist countries that their crimes against humanity are not condemned with as much passion on this predominantly white, Christian, capitalist forum as those of a racially, culturally and politically different nation?
Written by : OWDWritten by : poiboy
yell fire, while i agree that the US shouldn't have gone to war in Iraq in the first place, if they were to withdraw right now that would just leave the local militias fighting for control in the area, probably killing thousands in the process.
Don't you think the Chinese can use very similar justifications for their stance on Tibet?
i.e. that the resident Chinese who've made their home in Tibet for many decades would be at risk from violence from activist Tibetans.
Written by : OWD
To their credit (as far as I know), the chinese haven't used the western tactic of labelling the pro-tibetan activists as 'terrorists' and using that as justification form throwing aside human rights entirely.
Written by : OWD
(Not that I support what the Chinese have done with Tibet, i just feel that, for useful dialogue between China and the West, that it's vital to understand why it is that the Chinese feel justified).
the best smiles are the ones you lead to
kyrian: I've felt your finger connect with me many times
lou kitten: sneaky little meatball..
ezz: please corrupt me more
the best smiles are the ones you lead to
If we as members of the human race practice meditation, we can transcend our fear, despair, and forgetfulness. Meditation is not an escape. It is the courage to look at reality with mindfulness and concentration. Thich Nhat Hanh
the best smiles are the ones you lead to
Written by : Stone
China to meet Dalai Lama envoys: reports
Chinese officials will meet representatives of the Dalai Lama, a state-run Xinhua news agency has reported, citing official sources.
"It is hoped that through contact and consultation, the Dalai side will take credible moves to stop activities aimed at splitting China, stop plotting and inciting violence and stop disrupting and sabotaging the Beijing Olympic Games so as to create conditions for talks."
A spokesman for the Dalai Lama, who lives in exile in India, said he had not received any communication from China about a meeting.
However the spokesman said the Dalai Lama welcomed Beijing's offer as 'a step in the right direction'.
"Only face-to-face meetings can lead to a resolution of the Tibetan issue," he said.
"His holiness, since March 10 when the (anti-Chinese) protests started, he had been making all efforts to reach out to China and the Chinese Government and he hopes the Tibetan issue can be resolved only through dialogue."
the best smiles are the ones you lead to
the best smiles are the ones you lead to
#homeofpoi -- irc.newnet.net Come talk to us we're bored
Warning: Please Do Not Jump On The Seals
Written by : ToI
In 2007, according to Chinese government figures, there were 87,000 "riots" in China.
the best smiles are the ones you lead to
#homeofpoi -- irc.newnet.net Come talk to us we're bored
Warning: Please Do Not Jump On The Seals
the best smiles are the ones you lead to
the best smiles are the ones you lead to