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Dr. Jacques Rogge, President
International Olympic Committee
Chateau de Vidy
Case Postale 356
1007 Lausanne Switzerland
Email: jacques.rogge@olympics.org

Dear Dr. Rogge:

I am writing to you today to urge you, as President of the International Olympic Committee, to ensure that the IOC closely monitor the human rights situation in China in the lead-up to the 2008 Games in Beijing. In addition, like people around the world, I feel strongly that if the Chinese government does not come into compliance with internationally accepted human rights laws and protocols, and cease their brutal illegal occupation of Tibet, then Beijing should be disqualified from hosting the Games.

As you know, as soon after the vote as July 23, 2001, the Chinese government was already using the victory of their Olympic bid as an indicator of international acceptance and approval of their crackdown on the Falon Gong, making remarks that could be applied just as easily to claim international support for suppressing Tibetans, democracy activists, or anyone else who opposes the Party.

As quoted in The Australian, Chinese Vice-Premier Li Lanquing said: "
We have won a great victory in struggling against Falun Gong, but this cult will not be reconciled to its defeat... We have won the right to host the 2008 Olympic Games. This shows that the international community has acknowledged the fact that China is marked by social stability and progress, its economy is prospering, and its people are living a peaceful and comfortable life."

The IOC tried to avoid the controversy of Beijing's bid by saying that the Olympics are not political- but your vote was nothing if not political, and has profoundly political consequences. You may remember how Moscow used the 1980 Games as a sign of international acceptance of its invasion of Afghanistan; you must not allow Beijing to make similar use of the 2008 Games. Like Moscow in 1980, Beijing has already begun to put its own political stamp on the Games, this time years before the Games have even begun.

How is the IOC defining the role and responsibilities of the Coordination Commission in order to address the significant human rights concerns which have been acknowledged by the IOC itself? What mechanisms has the IOC put into place to monitor and respond to human rights abuses which are directly connected with preparations for the Olympic Games?

In the year since the IOC granted Beijing the Games, conditions in China and in Chinese-occupied Tibet have only gotten worse. The IOC must now use its influence in the lead-up to these Games to ensure (1) that China cease its brutal occupation of Tibet and come into compliance with internationally accepted human rights laws and protocols as a condition of not losing their qualification to host the Games; and (2) that China does not commit further human rights abuses directly related to its preparation for the Games. Should China fail in either regard the IOC should disqualify Beijing from hosting the Games. Host country adherence to human rights standards should be as important a standard of Beijing's progress towards 2008 as the building of stadiums.

I look forward to your positive response.

Sincerely,

[your name]

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