Interview with Amnesty International

Amnesty International is one of the world’s leading NGO’s, dedicated to fighting against human rights abuses around the globe. This week I spoke to one of their activists, Niall Couper, about the Pro-Tibetan protests throughout the relay and the impact of the Olympics on the development of human rights in China. Here’s what he had to say…

Question: When China was awarded the Olympics in 2001, its committee claimed that the event would help the development of human rights – has it done this?

Answer: “When the games were awarded, there were statements from the Beijing Olympic Organising Committee and they were very pro the idea that it would help the development…”

Q: “Is this relay an appropriate occasion for protest against China’s human rights violations?”

A: “I think it’s a fantastic opportunity for people to protest…”

Q: Many people say politics and sports shouldn’t mix, and that the spirit of the games shouldn’t be overshadowed by the political context. How do you feel about this line of argument?

A: “For me it’s a bit ridiculous really, because – what are sportsmen? They’re ordinary individuals like ourselves, and for that very reason should be aloud to speak out and speak about issues that conern them…”

Torch Sparks London Protests

London became the centre of heated protests yesterday as the Olympic flame passed through its snow-clad streets. Despite the chilly weather conditions thousands of activists lined the 31-mile route (see map), demonstrating against China’s human rights record and treatment of Tibet. According to the BBC, 35 were arrested as individual demonstrators repeatedly stormed the ring of policemen protecting the torch-bearer. One man even attempted to smother the Olympic flame with a fire extinguisher.

The resulting scenes – security forces wrestling activists, as masses of protestors waved flags and shouted slogans (see original footage) – weren’t far removed from a sporting event. But the political debate, increasingly difficult to extract from this summer’s games, was impossible to overlook. The link between sports and politics was highlighted further by Prime Minister Gordon Brown’s decision not to touch the torch despite greeting it outside 10 Downing Street – a diplomatic move aimed to appease both Tibetan supporters and Chinese officials in equal measures.

Meanwhile in Beijing, China’s state-controlled television networks opted not to show scenes of protest and demonstration. Instead reports focused on peaceful images of the Chinese ambassador handing the torch to a British runner. With another 20 countries left for the torch to travel through, the Chinese censors ought to have their work cut out for them in the coming months. Next stop: Paris, a city well acquainted with the concept of demonstrating and revolting.