Why focus on human rights at OG 2008? China is known as a country that practices great suppression of its own people and of human rights. The examples are countless, from the annexation of Tibet to the slaughter of their own students at the Tiananmen Square. Due to the extreme violation of the Freedom of Speech, it is impossible to talk about this suppression in China. There is no doubt that China will use the Olympics 2008 to improve its image. By carrying out a perfect and efficient Olympic game in 2008, they hope to be able to promote China as an efficient and modern country. Some have compared the Olympics in Beijing 2008 with the Olympics in Berlin in 1936 where Hitler used the games to promote Nazi-Germany as a great country where things worked fine. Many things have changed since then, but to stop China in repeating the same ‘success’ as Berlin1936, it is necessary that everyone supports a common project that tells both China and the many millions of viewers that a modern and efficient society must contain self-determination and the respect for human rights. It is necessary to make a statement during the Olympics that this kind of respect does not exist in China. Usually there is strict control with political and ethic expressions in relation with the Olympics – and this control will most likely be even stricter in China.
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