Barbara Lee Says China's Record Overshadows the Olympic Torch's Pass Through the Bay Area
Press Release
For Immediate Release: April 8, 2008
Contact: Cleve Mesidor, (202) 225-2661
(Washington, DC) – Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-9) released the following statement in advance of the Beijing Olympic torch pass through San Francisco:
“The public outcry against China human rights record and its hosting of this year’s Olympics has cast a shadow over the Bay Area’s distinction as the only North American stop on the worldwide Olympic Torch Relay. Like the millions of activists around the world who are speaking out, I am very concerned about the continuing repression of the Tibetan people and China’s resistance to pressuring the regime in Sudan to end the ongoing genocide in Darfur.
“The genocide in Sudan is entering its sixth brutal year and the situation is deplorable. The Khartoum government, and its proxy Janjaweed militias, are estimated to have killed over 400,000 Darfuri civilians, raped countless women and young girls, and driven over 2.5 million civilians from their homes. Despite these horrific acts, China continues to strengthen its ties with the Khartoum government and is ignoring allegations of human rights abuses in Tibet.
“Over the last month, China's recent crackdown on non-violent protests and demonstrations by Tibetans has led, by some estimates, to the death of over 140 people and the arrest and detainment of over 1,000 peaceful protestors. China has also censored and restricted the ability of international journalists to monitor and report on the crackdown.
“China's actions in Tibet and its support for the genocidal regime in Khartoum are not consistent with the tradition of the Olympic Games. That is why I sent a letter to the President urging him not to attend the opening ceremony of the Olympics and why I am co-sponsoring the Defend the Olympic Spirit Act, which restricts funding to prevent any U.S official from attending the Olympic Opening Ceremonies in China - with clear exceptions for the security of any U.S. athlete or their associated support staff.
“The U.S. must send the message that we do not tolerate human rights abuses and urge China to acknowledge and denounce the atrocities in Darfur and end the violence and repression against the Tibetan people.”
Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-9) is member of the Tibet Caucus and Co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.
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