US Lawmakers Urge IOC to Rebid 2022 Winter Olympics Out of Beijing

Strategic Insights -

Congressmen Reschenthaler, Waltz, and Katko have introduced a resolution calling on the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to rebid the 2022 Winter Olympics hosted in Beijing, citing China's egregious human rights violations and genocide against Muslim Uyghurs in Xinjiang. The legislation also proposes a US-led international boycott of the Games if they are not moved out of China.

This bipartisan effort is driven by the horrific human rights abuses perpetuated by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), including genocide, forced labor, and suppression of religious freedom. The lawmakers argue that the United States and the international community have a responsibility to hold China accountable for its atrocities, particularly in Xinjiang where approximately 1.8 million Turkic Muslims have been detained and persecuted since 2017.

The resolution follows the US Department of State's determination in January that the Government of China is committing genocide and crimes against humanity against the Muslim Uyghurs and other minority groups. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has concurred with this assessment, stating that China's actions constitute an effort to commit genocide.

Key Takeaways:

  • US Reps. Guy Reschenthaler, Michael Waltz, and John Katko introduced a resolution urging the IOC to rebid the 2022 Winter Olympics hosted in Beijing, citing China's human rights abuses and genocide.
  • The legislation proposes a US-led international boycott of the Games if they are not moved out of China.
  • The resolution highlights China's egregious human rights violations, including genocide, forced labor, and suppression of religious freedom.
  • The US Department of State has determined that the Government of China is committing genocide and crimes against humanity against the Muslim Uyghurs and other minority groups in Xinjiang.
  • Approximately 1.8 million Turkic Muslims have been detained and persecuted in " political re-education" centers in Xinjiang since at least 2017.
  • Women in Xinjiang face harsher treatment, including forced abortion and sterilization.
  • The resolution has gained momentum, with Canada's parliament voting unanimously to support rebidding the Games, and the Washington Post editorial board and dozens of human rights organizations supporting the effort.
  • There is precedent for such action, as the United States led a boycott of the 1980 Summer Olympic Games in Moscow following the Soviet Union's invasion of Afghanistan.

Statistics:

  • Since 2017, approximately 1.8 million Turkic Muslims have been detained and persecuted in "political re-education" centers in Xinjiang.
  • The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has committed genocide and crimes against humanity against the Muslim Uyghurs and other minority groups in Xinjiang.
  • The US Department of State has determined that the Government of China is committing genocide and crimes against humanity against the Muslim Uyghurs and other minority groups in Xinjiang.
  • Women in Xinjiang face harsher treatment, including forced abortion and sterilization.

Sources:

  • Press release from the office of Pennsylvania Rep. Guy Reschenthaler
  • Statement from Secretary of State Antony Blinken during his Senate confirmation hearing
  • US Department of State's determination that the Government of China is committing genocide and crimes against humanity against the Muslim Uyghurs and other minority groups in Xinjiang
  • Report from the House China Task Force detailing China's human rights violations and growing authoritarianism
  • Washington Post editorial board statement supporting the effort to rebid the 2022 Winter Olympics