I was discussing this with a friend of mine this morning, about whether I was going to watch the Olympics which begin on August 8, 2008. I had thought I might. I really am not happy about it being in China, but still, it's the Olympics.
There are so very many human rights violations stemming from China, it's hard to know where to even start. Our athletes do deserve to be supported. It all sounds reasonable until you really look at the underlying issues at hand.
The biggest one that I can think of off the top of my head, is the support the Chinese government has given to Sudan regarding the war in Darfur. China has time and time again, supplied arms, even though there is a UN arms embargo on Darfur. Upwards of 300,000 people have died due to the genocide in Darfur, and it is suspected that another two million people have fled their homes.
China has told Sudan not to use it's military equipment in Darfur. They believe this makes them less culpable and that they are then obeying the UN arms embargo, even though they know that Sudan will use those weapons in Darfur.
If you do even a basic "google" on Darfur, you will see so many articles to support what I am saying. I think I am actually going to take the formal position to NOT watch the Olympics this year.
There are so many other human rights violations from China, I just can't support anything they do. So folks, do your home work. Read up on the issues behind the farce that has become the Olympics.
Here are a few articles to peruse if you are interested:
China is Fueling the War in Darfur from the BBC
2008 Olympics Gilded with Less Than Goldfrom Augusta KS Daily Gazette
Oil for China, Guns for Darfur from Business Week
China's Deadly Darfur Games from Salon Magazine
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