Post by Admin on Oct 9, 2020 7:23:48 GMT
It is believed Chinese authorities have detained up to one million of the population in "re-education camps" in the Xinjiang region.
Liberal Senator Eric Abetz says awarding the prestigious international sporting competition to Beijing is "unconscionable" and Australia should lead an international boycott.
Senator Abetz cites mistreatment of Uighurs as well as continuing crackdowns on democracy in Hong Kong and militarisation of the South China Sea as among the reasons for a boycott.
"The time has come for the freedom-loving countries to say to Beijing 'enough is enough'," Senator Abetz said.
"I would in fact invite individual athletes as well to consider whether they want to lend their name and their credibility to such a discredited regime."
Senate to debate motion to boycott Beijing 2022
"Athletes at least need to become aware of exactly what is going on in China," Senator Patrick said.
"Certainly they would need to consider their own perspective on what is happening, but they also need to consider their own safety.
"The Australian Government at the moment has a travel warning suggesting that no one travels to China — they are at risk of arbitrary detention."
The Australian Olympic Committee has rejected the idea of a boycott saying athletes from over 200 countries are scheduled to take part so "neutrality on global political issues is critical".
"There will be many opinions on the political and social structures of all participating and hosting countries and people are entitled to hold those opinions," an AOC spokesperson said.
"But it is not the role of the Olympic movement to dictate to sovereign governments on these issues.
"It is the role of the Olympic movement to bring the world together in peaceful competition and to uphold the Olympic vales of excellence, friendship and respect.
"There will always be different political and social perspectives — but athletes must have the right to practice their sport in that spirit of mutual understanding."
'Unfair to put the onus on athletes': Steggall
Former world champion skier turned federal politician Zali Steggall shares concerns about Beijing hosting the 2022 Winter Olympics but does not want athletes treated unfairly.
"We have great moments in history of athletes actually standing up, by participating, for injustice," the independent MP said.
"I think it's unfair to put the onus on asking athletes to miss out, I think the International Olympic Committee needs to step up.
"There is a duty on the IOC in making sure that the very principles that you're celebrating in sport, being fair play and achievement and doing your best, are actually consistent with the principles within the nations that are hosting".
This week Britain's Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab did not rule out his nation boycotting the Beijing Winter Games over the "egregious human rights abuses" perpetrated against Uighurs.
Liberal Senator Eric Abetz says awarding the prestigious international sporting competition to Beijing is "unconscionable" and Australia should lead an international boycott.
Senator Abetz cites mistreatment of Uighurs as well as continuing crackdowns on democracy in Hong Kong and militarisation of the South China Sea as among the reasons for a boycott.
"The time has come for the freedom-loving countries to say to Beijing 'enough is enough'," Senator Abetz said.
"I would in fact invite individual athletes as well to consider whether they want to lend their name and their credibility to such a discredited regime."
Senate to debate motion to boycott Beijing 2022
"Athletes at least need to become aware of exactly what is going on in China," Senator Patrick said.
"Certainly they would need to consider their own perspective on what is happening, but they also need to consider their own safety.
"The Australian Government at the moment has a travel warning suggesting that no one travels to China — they are at risk of arbitrary detention."
The Australian Olympic Committee has rejected the idea of a boycott saying athletes from over 200 countries are scheduled to take part so "neutrality on global political issues is critical".
"There will be many opinions on the political and social structures of all participating and hosting countries and people are entitled to hold those opinions," an AOC spokesperson said.
"But it is not the role of the Olympic movement to dictate to sovereign governments on these issues.
"It is the role of the Olympic movement to bring the world together in peaceful competition and to uphold the Olympic vales of excellence, friendship and respect.
"There will always be different political and social perspectives — but athletes must have the right to practice their sport in that spirit of mutual understanding."
'Unfair to put the onus on athletes': Steggall
Former world champion skier turned federal politician Zali Steggall shares concerns about Beijing hosting the 2022 Winter Olympics but does not want athletes treated unfairly.
"We have great moments in history of athletes actually standing up, by participating, for injustice," the independent MP said.
"I think it's unfair to put the onus on asking athletes to miss out, I think the International Olympic Committee needs to step up.
"There is a duty on the IOC in making sure that the very principles that you're celebrating in sport, being fair play and achievement and doing your best, are actually consistent with the principles within the nations that are hosting".
This week Britain's Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab did not rule out his nation boycotting the Beijing Winter Games over the "egregious human rights abuses" perpetrated against Uighurs.