Viv
04-07-2008, 08:33 PM
Should we be boycotting the Olympics to protest against Chinese civil right abuses?
What do you think of China's record in this respect?
Does it compare poorly with that of other countries?
How should this be contested and how should China be encouraged to see reason on this subject?
Gordon Brown has said he will not boycott the Beijing Olympics because the Dalai Lama opposes such action.
The prime minister said the only way for the Chinese and Tibetans to resolve their tensions was through dialogue.
Mr Brown has also resisted calls not to welcome the Olympic torch in Downing Street when it arrives in London.
It comes as four pro-Tibet activists are arrested for abseiling off Westminster Bridge and unveiling a protest banner.
Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg had increased the pressure on Mr Brown by telling him not to attend the Games in August or this weekend's torch relay.
Mr Brown's comments come as France's human rights minister has denied setting conditions for President Nicolas Sarkozy's attendance at the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony.
Rama Yade said Le Monde newspaper had misquoted her as listing "conditions" for Mr Sarkozy's presence at the event.
Eighty athletes, entertainers and dignitaries will carry the torch on a 31-mile long journey through London's streets on Sunday as part of its journey to the Beijing 2008 games.
Speaking at a conference of international centre-left leaders, Mr Brown said: "Any violence in China is to be condemned and I do urge restraint all round.
"It is important that we recognise that the tensions between those in Tibet and the Chinese authorities can only in the end be solved by dialogue."
He added: "The Dalai Lama himself says he does not want to see a boycott of the Olympics and that is why I have said that as the host country for the 2012 Olympics I will attend the (Beijing) Olympics as I know many others will do." http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7332296.stm
What do you think of China's record in this respect?
Does it compare poorly with that of other countries?
How should this be contested and how should China be encouraged to see reason on this subject?
Gordon Brown has said he will not boycott the Beijing Olympics because the Dalai Lama opposes such action.
The prime minister said the only way for the Chinese and Tibetans to resolve their tensions was through dialogue.
Mr Brown has also resisted calls not to welcome the Olympic torch in Downing Street when it arrives in London.
It comes as four pro-Tibet activists are arrested for abseiling off Westminster Bridge and unveiling a protest banner.
Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg had increased the pressure on Mr Brown by telling him not to attend the Games in August or this weekend's torch relay.
Mr Brown's comments come as France's human rights minister has denied setting conditions for President Nicolas Sarkozy's attendance at the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony.
Rama Yade said Le Monde newspaper had misquoted her as listing "conditions" for Mr Sarkozy's presence at the event.
Eighty athletes, entertainers and dignitaries will carry the torch on a 31-mile long journey through London's streets on Sunday as part of its journey to the Beijing 2008 games.
Speaking at a conference of international centre-left leaders, Mr Brown said: "Any violence in China is to be condemned and I do urge restraint all round.
"It is important that we recognise that the tensions between those in Tibet and the Chinese authorities can only in the end be solved by dialogue."
He added: "The Dalai Lama himself says he does not want to see a boycott of the Olympics and that is why I have said that as the host country for the 2012 Olympics I will attend the (Beijing) Olympics as I know many others will do." http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7332296.stm