Olympics pose international question
Liz Accola
Staff Writer
International protest broke out against holding the 2008 Summer Olympics in China. Many opposed to the location of this year’s games critique the lack of human rights China grants to those under its rule particularly in Tibet, where the Chinese have taken control since the 1950s, according to the New York Times.
The torch has faced protest beginning at its lighting in Athens. It has since faced crowds of pro-Tibetan protestors trying to disrupt its journey across the globe in cities such as Paris, London, and San Francisco.
Crowds forming in the cities where the torch has passed through have tried to grab the torch or put out the flame. They have also chanted phrases about granting freedom to Tibetans.
In March, Tibetans stood up in the largest protest since 1989 to Chinese rulers in their land by demanding human rights and referred to their leader the Dalai Lama, exiled in 1959. The uprising turned lethal when Chinese forces lashed out, killing over 100 between the two sides, mostly Tibetans.
“There’s been a long standing concern with Tibet,” said Dr. Charles Byler, Carroll history professor who teaches History 110, The History of Modern China. He explained that the situation is somewhat similar to Native Americans and the European immigrants in North America, where Tibet’s land was invaded and taken over by China.
From China’s standpoint, Byler further explained, many of the citizens think Tibet should be part of their territory. They think that Tibetans have enough independence and the Chinese do not see themselves as being harmful to them.
The 2008 Summer Olympics have become a political event with the media and citizens keeping watchful eyes over which countries support this year’s games. Leaders such as the British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and German Chancellor Angela Merkel will not attend the opening ceremonies, according to the Washington Post.
While President Bush has been urged to do the same, he does not support the boycotts and protests. The Associated Press reported, “President Bush has said he will use his presence at the games to raise human rights issues directly with China’s leaders.”
However, China has not stood still in all of the actions taken against them hosting the Olympics. The Washington Post said that the Chinese have taken particular offense to the French protest in Paris and have begun to boycott French products in their country.
“I think a lot of Chinese take it personally when they see this protest,” Byler said.
Byler explained that China has only recently experienced economic growth after going through a period of hard times. With their new success, he said he thinks the 2008 Summer Olympics is a way for them to publicize their cause.
“The Chinese take a lot of pride in the Olympics,” Byler said. “It’s a symbol of how far they’ve come in just a few decades.”
In all that has been happening around the world, the media has looked to the reaction of the Dalai Lama who, while defending his people in Tibet, denounces the protests on the Olympics.
The New York Times000 reported, “He does not seek independence for Tibet but what he calls a more genuine autonomy and that he is eager for the Chinese people to know that Tibetans are neither anti-Chinese nor opposed to the Beijing Olympics.”