8 of 9

Yes

Write now Article Tools

The Olympic games are an opportunity for athletes to show pride in their countries and to be on an equal playing field with people across the world. The Olympics represent peace and unity that reaches beyond color, ethnicity, or wealth. China does not stand for this idea, and they will not until they begin to find a place for human rights on their political agenda.

For example, this past summer the Save Darfur Coalition attempted to deliver a petition to a visiting Chinese ambassador, requesting that they use the opportunity to have the 2008 Olympics in Beijing as way of showing the world that China is willing to stand up for human rights. It is sad to say that the Save Darfur Coalition was met with an icy response.
Why would Save Darfur ask China to help with Darfur? People in Darfur are being brutally raped, tortured, and killed. Some estimate the death toll to be over half a million. Over 250 million refugees have fled to neighboring Chad. The people doing the killing primarily consist of an organization called the Janjaweed, which is sponsored by the Sudanese government. Most of Sudan's military funding comes from oil proceeds, but the country does not have the capabilities to refine their oil. China purchases much of their oil, refining it in their own land. According to SaveDarfur.org, 71% of Sudan's exports go to China, and most of their imports come from China, as well.
China has also interfered with UN peacekeeping missions in Sudan, keeping troops from being sent to the forsaken land of Darfur and voting against peacekeeping legislation.
Is this what the Olympics stand for? Certainly not! Until China can up the ante, so to speak, in terms of human rights, they are the antithesis of everything that the Olympics represents. Perhaps China will change one day, but until then,they do not deserve to host the Olympics. While the United States cannot stop China from hosting the Olympics, we can and should make our stand by boycotting the event.

Learn more about this author, Genenda Milloy.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Should the US boycott the 2008 Beijing Olympics??
We want to hear your view. Write now!