Today, on the 8/8/08, at 8:08pm the Olympics starts.... and can I point out before I go on that I'm not superstitious.
I find the obsession in China and Asia generally with the number 8 being 'lucky' and the number 4 being 'unlucky' to be bemusing. I'm no numerologist or karma expert but won't treating other humans like dirt bring more bad luck or karma than a number?
The problem is, where the Chinese government's human rights record is concerned, very few Chinese people have an idea of what's going on. This is because their media is heavily censored. They don't see what's going on in Tibet and they don't hear the world, including foreign Presidents and Prime Ministers raising concerns.
This is why The Body Shop has been supporting Amnesty International's Uncensor campaign here in Australia. Giving Chinese citizens access to a free media and "the truth" is the first step towards enabling them to demand more ethical and humane governance.
Be careful when you're watching sensationalist western media too. Being a pro-human rights activist does not mean being anti-Chinese, anti-sport or anti-Olympics. The Olympics are however a one off opportunity to talk about human rights in China. According to an Amnesty International report the Chinese authorities have broken their own promise to improve the country's human rights situation and betrayed the core values of the Olympics.
What can you do?
- It's so easy to put an Uncensor badge for your Facebook to help spread the word
- Join Amnesty International
- Take part in the Avaaz Olympic Handshake.
- Read more about China's Olympian Human Rights Challenges
~ Adam
Hi there
ReplyDeleteI am the China Campaign Coordinator for Amnesty International Australia.
Here, here Adam! It's been a terrific few months of campaigning.
Very much assisted by the terrific Body Shop crew.
The world is paying attention to human rights issues in China, 4 foreigners have climbed up a giant post, unfurled a banner and been deported, there are protests in Tiananmen Square, open letters to the Chinese authorities, world leaders talking publicly about China's human rights record, a Sudanese refugee as the USA's flag bearer.
Bring on the Games!
And Amnesty International will certainly be keeping a close watch on China's human rights situation well beyond the Games.