China human rights 'worsening' as Olympics near
Tuesday, 08 Jul 2008 01:01
China's record on human rights continuing to worsen with Beijing Olympics one month away, Amnesty International says
China's record on human rights is continuing to worsen despite the looming Beijing Olympics, it was claimed on Tuesday.
Exactly one month before the Games begins on August 8th, Amnesty International has accused the Chinese government of trying to 'clean-up' political opposition.
The human rights organisation has written to the country's president Hu Jintao reminding the government of five promises made during the bid process seven years ago.
Amnesty International is demanding China release political prisoners and end the arbitrary detention of peaceful protestors.
It also wants an end to the death penalty in the country's legal system and the publication of national statistics on executions, as well as a lifting of reporting restrictions on domestic and foreign journalists.
A fair trial for Tibetan demonstrators arrested earlier this year and transparency on the crackdown of their protests is also being sought by Amnesty International.
In her letter to Mr Hu, Amnesty secretary general Irene Khan wrote: "I believe that delivering on these five points will go a long way towards the Games being remembered not only for positive achievements on the sports field but in the field of human rights as well."
Amnesty International is also marking one month until the Games by releasing the latest of its hard-hitting viral animations highlighting the abuse of human rights in China.
Click here to watch more of Amnesty International's videos