2008 is special for two reasons:
1) The Summer Olympics will be held in August in Beijing.
2) It's the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
And there seems to be an issue because:
1) The Olympics are a symbol of countries coming together from around the world to compete in peaceful, (fairly) fair athletic competitions. This is significant because, like the World Cup, it can be a place of competition and pride, but without the violence, anger and destruction which competition and pride often lead to. With the 60th anniversary of such a progressive document as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, it seems even more symbolic that this year be representational of human rights and freedoms everywhere.
2) The Olympics will be held in China and China represents none of the above.
The recent outcry to boycott the Olympics this year from critics (including myself) stems from a variety of issues. However, this past week's events have been called from numerous others and brought relations with the Chinese to the forefront.
In Tibet this past week, protests erupted across the Tibetan Autonomous Region against the Chinese oppression and rule. Accurate numbers of those killed in the protests range from 4 (according to the Chinese government) and over 100 (according to human rights groups).
Here's what we do know: people have been killed and they were innocent.
Foreign journalists have been banned from Lhasa, the capital of Tibet and thousands of Chinese troops have moved into the region. The Chinese government cites some 20 Tibetans have been arrested in the protests and 150 or more "surrendered" to the government. I can't ever recall a time where I've been protesting and would willingly surrender. I've never protested to obtain my total freedom or an increase in cultural autonomy from an oppressive government, but I have a feeling the sentiment is even greater and people are even less willing to back down.
And it's not as if the Chinese government has the cleanest record on political decriers- most are tortured. China is so adamant about its position to control these areas, certainly political detractors won't be let off easily. There's also been what's called a "media blackout.", Youtube is censored and the internet is censored from the pictures of the protests and the issues. Talk about gross violations of freedom of speech and press. There's an archive of 44 photos here and here.
What is our role and the American government's role in this situation? Do we withdraw entirely and say nothing? Do we begin some heavy diplomacy? Do we call for boycotts of the Olympic Games? Why do we allow this? What does this say about us? About humanity?
It certainly is my belief that our own democratic republic must be preserved by fostering other democracies and democratic reforms throughout the world. I know some say we are pushing on government on other people- but in reality it's not that. I have yet to find or see or hear another form of government that better protects and allows for human rights than democracy. Sure we have our flaws, but when people were shot at Kent State during a Vietnam War protest, there anger and outcry was fully permitted. No one censored the pictures. No one acted like it didn't happen. Here we have a government that won't even let foreign journalists in and is reporting sketchy numbers at best. It won't even let the people of its country know that there are even protests in Tibet. I'm sure eventually they will find out, but by then it will be too late.
If we shall remember for a moment, however long ago and painful it might seem, that those who committed crimes in the Nazi regime and other oppressive regimes were still punished, even if they claimed they were just "following orders" and doing as told.
You are guilty if you know and say nothing.
When we look at those in not just Tibet, but in Taiwan, in Burma and in surrounding regions, we have to realize they are every bit as human and every bit as deserving of the rights we universally declare and hold dear. And they are certainly worth, at the very least, boycotting one Olympic Games for.
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