Will human rights violations cloud Beijing 2008?

[Jon M]

I know this particular story is of limited interest to many of you, but considering the current flow of Olympic interest, I wondered whether anyone else can see some problems emerging on these Chinese human rights issues in relation to their international image at very least.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4655963.stm

Granted, religious freedom is only one area of concern, but there are many others, implied and obvious.
(read the articles linked at the top right of this page for some more examples)
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Continuing that train of thought, I wonder what sort of price is going to be paid in human terms by those who will be on the ground actually getting the work done for the Games.

[punky]

I was outraged when I heard a totalitarian communist regime had won the chance to host the games. Do they even have a free press yet? Or do all reports have to be monitored by Chinese state officials to stop them from showing the world what kind of country China really is.

The coalition removed Saddam from power and the world accused them of imperialism. China marched in and stole Tibet and Taiwan, and only a few diehard hippies (and me) really care. Religiously speaking Tibet is much more serious problem than in that link.

[Graham]

Originally Posted by punky

I was outraged when I heard a totalitarian communist regime had won the chance to host the games. Do they even have a free press yet? Or do all reports have to be monitored by Chinese state officials to stop them from showing the world what kind of country China really is.

Actually I think them getting the Olympics will actually be a good thing since there is no way that even the Chinese are going to be able to monitor and control the activities of all the journalists who will be "attending the games" (honest, guv!) and who won't of course, slip away out of Beijing to do other stories.

At the same time, many Chinese will have the opportunity to talk to people without state monitoring and telling them what they can or can't see etc.

In the long run this may do more to bring down the Chinese regime than any political pressure or protest.

[Tuftus]

Originally Posted by Graham

Actually I think them getting the Olympics will actually be a good thing since there is no way that even the Chinese are going to be able to monitor and control the activities of all the journalists who will be "attending the games" (honest, guv!) and who won't of course, slip away out of Beijing to do other stories.

At the same time, many Chinese will have the opportunity to talk to people without state monitoring and telling them what they can or can't see etc.

In the long run this may do more to bring down the Chinese regime than any political pressure or protest.

Good point Graham.