The summer Olympic Games open in China today amidst ongoing protests over the Chinese government’s record on human rights. On Thursday, more than forty Olympic athletes signed an open letter calling on the Chinese government to protect freedom of expression, freedom of religion and freedom of opinion in China as well as in Tibet. Protests and vigils were held in cities around the world to call attention to issues including the plight of Tibetans and Chinese dissidents. On Thursday, dozens of people gathered for a candlelight vigil in Taiwan.
Tsai Ya-Ju: “We call on China, at the same time that they host the Olympics, to improve on news freedom, speech freedom and political repression. Internationally, we wish they use their veto power at the UN Security Council and stop supporting brutality in Tibet, Myanmar and Darfur.”