What is the issue?

The line is blurred between "Anti-Chinese government" protest and "Anti-Olympic" protest.

These two terms have collided as of late with the tour of the Olympic flame. The main terms being thrown around are anti-communism, pro-freedom, "Free Tibet", pro-China, anti-Olympics, pro-Olympics, etc., and so on and so forth. But what is the real issue?

Yesterday, in light of world-wide protests, the International Olympic Committee posted a statement on their website: <br>
"Freedom of expression is a basic human right"

The rest of the article is a big BUT....

"But we do ask that there is no propaganda nor demonstrations at Olympic Games venues for the very good and simple reason that we have 205 countries and territories represented, many of whom are in conflict, and the Games are not the place to take political nor religious stances."

I do agree with this...mostly. By its history, the Olympics is a place where all differences - political and religious - are set aside.

So why did I add a 'mostly'? I don't really think this is about politics. In my opinion this is about basic Human Rights.

At this point I will reference the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations in 1948. The first paragraphs of the Preamble reads (I took the liberty of making a few phrases bold):

Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,

Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people,

Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law...

There it is ladies and gentleman.

Focusing in on the Tibet situation. The people of Tibet have spoken. They have chosen "rebellion against tyranny and oppression". One would think that China, a MEMBER OF THE UNITED NATION'S SECURITY COUNCIL, a permanent member, must realize what has happened. The people of Tibet are acting on their rights. They have found that they are being oppressed, the victim sof tyranny. There is no justice, no freedom, and no peace in their situation. They are rebelling. It is their right.

So where does this tie into the Olympics?

Where does it not tie into the Olympics?

The Olympics are being hosted by a country that seems to reject every aspect of "human rights". Are humans not the competitors in these sporting events? Are they not the supporters? It think it is important that people realize the term "anti-Olympic" is grossly inaccurate and wrong. These people are not "anti-Olympic". They are simply pointing out the fact that there is a double-standard being presented.

This double standard was rejected in Moscow in the 1980s. Now, it would take a whole book to compare the two situations. Why did the U.S. reject the Moscow Olympic Games? But not the Beijing Olympics? One word: Economics. But, like I said, a whole book could be written on that topic...

I guess the point of this is that I am tired of people confusing what is going on here. This is a Human Rights issue, not an people rejecting the Olympics. I feel the Olympics simply brought the spotlight to a long existing problem. I just hope that once the Olympics have left the People's Republic of China, that the world doesn't forget what is going on there. And I have a feeling that is exactly what will happen...


Links:

"Freedom of expression is a basic Human Right"
http://www.olympic.org/uk/news/olympic_news/full_story_uk.asp?id=2535

Universal Declaration of Human Rights
http://www.un.org/Overview/rights.html