On 4 February, for the first time in history, the Olympic Games will be hosted by a nation that the UK Parliament has deemed guilty of committing atrocities against the Uyghur people, a conclusion supported last month by the findings of the independent Uyghur Tribunal. The Chinese Government will use the Games to showcase its achievements as a nation and cover up the existence of the genocide and its failure to protect fundamental principles of human dignity and justice. Businesses and corporations continue with their sponsorship, privileging profit over the most basic of human rights, and implicitly endorsing genocidal repression.
With the Games less than three weeks away, there is still time to challenge our MPs, business leaders and wider society to stop China using the Games to whitewash its attempt to destroy the Uyghurs.
Suggested actions:
- Write to your local MP to you to raise concerns over Airbnb’s and/or Coca Cola’s sponsorship of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games, despite the Chinese Government being found guilty of torture, crimes against humanity, and genocide against Uyghurs. You can download template letter here (Airbnb) and here (Coca Cola).
Every interaction reminds your MP that their constituents are deeply concerned about human rights violations and are paying close attention to their representative’s voting record. - If you are on Twitter – mark the beginning of the opening ceremony (Friday 4 February 12 noon UK time (8pm Beijing time)) by tweeting with the hashtag #GenocideGames – let’s block the Chinese government’s attempts to use the games to whitewash its repression of the Uyghurs and others.
- Join an alternative opening ceremony on Thursday 3 February, hosted by Uyghur, Titan and Hong Kong communities – Piccadilly Circus, London 6.30pm
On 3 February, Tibetans, Uyghurs, Hong Kongers and Tigrayans will gather in Central London to protest the human rights violations and genocide the Chinese government has perpetrated against our communities, and the atrocities they continue to play a role in across the globe.
● Activists are also protesting the International Olympic Committee’s awarding of the Winter Games to China, and particularly IOC President Thomas Bach’s complicity in the CCP’s crimes.
● Speakers will include parliamentarian Sir Iain Duncan Smith MP and representatives from each of the four communities. Leading activists from each group will also read a joint statement on behalf of our coalition.
● The ceremony itself will feature political theatre, a ceremonial ‘torch lighting’, poetry readings and personal testimony from community members who have been subject to CCP repression.
For more information, contact: edie@stopuyghurgenocide.co.uk
