For Immediate Release
Toronto, July 13, 2001… The Institute for International Affairs of B’nai Brith Canada has reacted with dismay to the decision by the International Olympic Committee that Beijing will host the 2008 Olympic Summer Games. This decision has not only disappointed supporters of Toronto’s bid, but has outraged advocates of human rights everywhere.
Rochelle Wilner, President of B’nai Brith Canada, questions the premise that bringing the games to a country with grave human rights abuses will in any way engender greater tolerance and freedom. “The example of allowing a repressive regime to host the 1936 Olympics in Berlin amidst a background of increasing tyranny does not give us any reason for optimism that China will do more than cover up its present egregious human rights record in preparation for the Games. Sport, art and culture are all critical elements of the Olympic culture, but they must have an environment of freedom to grow and flourish.”
Frank Dimant, Executive Vice President, commented: “One has to question the sincerity of the world community on human rights issues when, time and again, countries with abysmal human rights records are chosen to host prestigious international events. Once again, political considerations have triumphed over the type of principled reasoning that we would have hoped for, if the true principles of the Olympic ideal were to be emulated.”
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B’nai Brith has been active since 1875 as the country’s senior advocacy and volunteer agency. Its Institute for International Affairs was established to monitor human rights issues worldwide.
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