Beijing boycott merits serious consideration

STEVEN KING’S call for all civilised countries to boycott the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games (September 5) is definitely something which should be considered.

The eyes of the world will be on China throughout the games.

The west must take this opportunity to let China know that its policies of oppression, both domestically and abroad, will not be tolerated.

The need to fuel its ever-expanding economy has led China down some very dark paths.

Through its continued support of African despots, such as Zimbabwe’s Robert Mugabe and Sudan’s Omar Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir, the Chinese government has been the economic driving force behind the worst human rights abuses of recent years. This cannot continue.

China must understand that if it wants to become a responsible member of the international community then it must make significant changes to its human rights policies and take a long look at who it chooses to do business with.

Next summer’s Olympic Games will be used by the Chinese as a showcase for their country.

What better way to show them our dedication to human rights than by letting them showcase to an empty stadium?

John O’Shea

GOAL

PO Box 19

Dun Laoghaire

Co Dublin