Athletes allowed basic freedom of expression

Amnesty International welcomes the decision by the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) to allow athletes greater freedom of expression, but urges them to do more to uphold the Olympic Charter.

The AOC said in a recent meeting with Amnesty International it was ‘not its role’ to engage in the issue of human rights abuse in China.

This is disappointing. While media reports suggest the AOC is leading the way internationally by allowing athletes to comment on human rights issues, it fails to live up to the example set by the Dutch Olympic Committee. Amnesty International worked directly with the Dutch committee to develop and distribute human rights material to its athletes. The Australian Olympic Committee declined a similar proposal.

The primary responsibility for human rights reform in China clearly lies with the Chinese authorities themselves. However, the Universal Declaration on Human Rights states that it is the duty of every individual and organ of society to promote respect for human rights. The Olympic Charter provides for ‘preservation of human dignity’ and ‘respect for universal fundamental ethical principals’, and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the AOC are in an excellent position to do this.

The IOC has repeatedly acknowledged this responsibility is at the core of its mandate. As an arm of the IOC, the AOC has considerable influence with the Chinese authorities in the run up to the Games. China promised significant human rights reform in its bid for the Games, and the IOC acknowledged the significance of these promises when it granted China the Games.

In April 2002 IOC President Jacques Rogge urged China to improve its human rights record. He said the IOC would act if human rights were not acted upon.