Congressional Leaders Call for Diplomatic Boycott of Beijing Olympics over Human Rights Abuses

Strategic Insights -

Congressional leaders from both sides of the aisle are joining forces to call for a diplomatic boycott of the 2022 Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games due to the Chinese Communist Party's egregious human rights abuses. The move comes as the U.S. State Department has officially acknowledged the Chinese government's genocide against the Uyghur minority and its suppression of democracy in Hong Kong. The resolution aims to hold the Chinese government accountable for its actions and push for the International Olympic Committee to establish a process to disqualify countries that commit mass atrocities during the bidding process or after being selected as a host.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Congressional Olympic and Paralympic Caucus, co-chaired by Reps. Jim Langevin (D-RI), John Curtis (R-UT), and Ed Perlmutter (D-CO), has introduced a resolution calling for a diplomatic boycott of the 2022 Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games due to the Chinese Communist Party's human rights abuses.
  • The resolution highlights the Chinese government's genocide against the Uyghur minority, its suppression of democracy in Hong Kong, and its rampant human rights abuses against the Chinese people.
  • The resolutions cites the U.S. State Department's official acknowledgment of the Chinese government's genocide against the Uyghur minority and its suppression of democracy in Hong Kong.
  • The Congressional leaders are urging the United States to withhold from sending a diplomatic delegation to the Beijing Olympics and Paralympics on behalf of the United States.
  • The resolution also pushes for the International Olympic Committee to establish a process to disqualify countries that commit mass atrocities during the bidding process or after being selected as a host of the Games.

Statistics:

  • The Chinese Communist Party has committed genocide against the predominantly Muslim Uyghurs and other ethnic and religious minority groups in Xinjiang, with the U.S. State Department confirming this fact.
  • The Chinese military has mounted the largest-ever incursion into Taiwanese air space in recent weeks, in a blatant attempt to intimidate and antagonize a valued U.S. ally.
  • The Chinese Communist Party has systemically oppressed the people of Tibet and dramatically curtailed the rights and freedoms of those living in Hong Kong through the draconian, anti-democratic "National Security Law."

Sources:

  • U.S. State Department, Official Statement on Human Rights in China
  • Congressional Olympic and Paralympic Caucus, Resolution on Diplomatic Boycott of Beijing Olympics
  • Remarks by President Joe Biden on Diplomatic Boycott of Beijing Olympics
  • Formed in 2010, the Congressional Olympic and Paralympic Caucus is dedicated to educating Congress about the goals and spirit of Olympic-related athletic activity, increasing diversity in athletics, promoting clean and fair competition, expanding youth sports, highlighting the benefits of sports to individuals with disabilities, and supporting the vision of enabling athletes to realize their Olympic and Paralympic dreams.