Twenty-seven non-governmental organizations call on politicians from all parties to become “human rights die-hards”. They hope Taiwan will join the growing list of countries boycotting the upcoming Winter Olympic Games in Beijing.
The call came during a press conference on Wednesday. In attendance was independent lawmaker Freddy Lim, who says that the whole world is now paying attention to human rights problems in Xinjiang, Tibet, and Hong Kong. He says the US, Australia, and Europe have either said that they will boycott the games diplomatically or called for a diplomatic boycott. He says that people in places like Tibet and Hong Kong are looking to Taiwan with hope. He says Taiwan should not shy away from the matter, and should work with the international community in resolutely supporting human rights.
Meanwhile, DPP legislator Fan Yun says that Chinese human rights abuses in Xinjiang and Tibet remind her of the early period of Nazi rule in Germany. She says boycotting the Beijing Winter Olympics is the duty of every democratic state. Otherwise, she says, no one will speak out on behalf of Taiwan if China decides to subjugate it.
Lithuania, the United States, and Australia announced their plans for a diplomatic boycott of the Winter Olympic Games in Beijing. This means they will not send any officials to represent the country, but athletes will still be allowed to participate. The European Parliament also called on EU governments to refuse official invitations.