Tibet-Kina:
Skrivelser
Appeal to the International Olympic Committee
Thisted, April the 7th 2008
The International Olympic Committee
President Jacques Rogge
Château de Vidy
1007 Lausanne
Switzerland
The Olympic Values – A Way of Living or Empty Phrases
Is the IOC going to acknowledge its responsibility for the Olympic Games?
Honourable President,
Bringing the Olympic Games to China was a very brave decision, that is going to make a breakthrough for human rights around the world, but at the same time is going to jeopardize the Olympic Movement, unless well-considered decisions are made.
Previous to the Olympic Games August the 8th 2008 the human rights violations in China are rapidly increasing. Tibetans are killed in cold blood, political critics are treated as criminals and other sections of the population are transferred against their will to give room for the Olympic Games.
The Olympic Games is not only the biggest sports event of the world, it is the manifestation of the highest human values, such as sportsmanship, brotherly respect and tolerance – a symbol of humanity.
The Olympic Charter stipulates detailed line of directions for the Olympic Movement and the conditions for the celebration of the Olympic Games (ethical review enclosed).
In connection with the awarding of the Olympic Games in 2001 China promised to improve the human rights situation. This has not happened. On the contrary the violations have increased.
Awarding the Olympic Games to China previous to real improvements of the human rights situation in the country was a big mistake. If the awarding was caused of the hope for diverted improvements, the awarding should have been followed up by conditions and claims.
Each day China is acting contrary to the Olympic Values and the Olympic Charter, which in the end is going to sully the Olympic Movement.
It is not right to mix sports and politics, but that is the very thing the IOC has done by electing a host country, that do not comply with the ethical principles according to the Olympic Charter.
In some fields reforms has taken place in China, but the awarding of the Olympic Games, and hereby the approval of the Chinese government, is undermining the reformists in the country, which is going to slow down progress.
The Olympic Games is unique by bringing sports and ethics together. Carrying out the Olympic Games under the actual circumstances is going to undermine the Olympic Values and present these as empty phrases.
To avoid this the IOC must demand, that the Chinese government is acting up to the Olympic spirit and the Olympic Charter, or withdraw the act of host for the Olympic Games.
You can make a turnaround by making demands: The Chinese must open negotiations with the Dalai Lama on the issue of self-government, release political prisoners and under the present circumstances withdraw the Olympic torch from passing through Tibet - an unnecessary violation wiping out Tibet.
Everybody will benefit from a constructive dialogue – China as well.
Respectfully yours,
Flemming Erslev
Enclosed: Olympic ear plugs
Enclosure:
The Olympic Movement
Ethics and the Olympic Charter
In the very fundamental principles appears, that the goal of Olympism among others is – in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play - to contribute to building a peaceful and better world; and promote the establishment of a peaceful society concerned with the preservation of human dignity.
The mission of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is to promote Olympism in accordance with the Olympic Charter and hereby among others to participate in acts promoting peace, to protect the Olympic Movement and to act against any form of discrimination affecting the Olympic Movement.
Of the terms of belonging to the Olympic Movement appears, that any form of discrimination with regard to a country or a person on grounds of race, religion, politics, gender or otherwise is incompatible with belonging to the Olympic Movement; and that belonging to the Olympic Movement requires respect for universal fundamental ethical principles.
Regarding to election of the host city it is determined, that the right to organize The Olympic Games is conditional on, that The National Government of the country of the applicant city submits to the IOC a legally binding instrument by which the said government undertakes and guarantees that the country and its public authorities will comply with and respect the Olympic Charter.
In the event of non compliance with the Olympic Charter or other regulations or instructions of the IOC, or a breach of the obligations entered into by the NOC, the OCOG or the host city, the IOC is entitled to withdraw, at any time and with immediate effect, the organisation of the Olympic Games from the host city, the OCOG and the NOC.
FE/07-04-2008