PHR Action Center

The upcoming Olympics offer a unique opportunity to act on Darfur. This summer, China will host the Summer Olympics.  The Olympics represents the best of sport, competition and honor.  But China's complicity in the ongoing violence and bloodshed in Darfur threatens to cast a pall over those games.  China buys 70% of Sudan's oil and sells arms to Sudan which that government has used against its own people in Darfur.  China has steadfastly protected Sudan from any criticism or punishment.

President Bush accepted an invitation by China's President Hu Jintao to attend the Summer Games.  While Physicians for Human Rights is not calling for a boycott of the Games, we feel that President Bush could make a powerful statement by telling President Hu that he will not attend the games until the following conditions are met:

• China stops all arms sales to Sudan
• China speaks forcefully to Sudan and tells them to stop perpetrating violence in Darfur and stop obstructing the UN force

Send a letter to President Bush and tell him not to go to the Olympic Games unless China meets these conditions.

We look forward to watching all of the competitors go for the gold and are proud of America’s athletes. And we hope we can be proud of President Bush for sending a strong message to China against its complicity in the Darfur crisis.

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

On September 6 of last year, you accepted an invitation from Chinese President Hu Jintao to attend the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.

While the Olympics represent the best of athleticism and competition, and we welcome the involvement of American athletes, the upcoming Games in China are tarnished by that country's ongoing financial, diplomatic and military support to the Sudanese Government. China is Sudan's largest trade partner, buying 70% of Sudan's oil. China also sells arms to Sudan, despite UN arms embargoes--weapons that are being used against Sudan's own people in Darfur.

China certainly has leverage with Sudan that it could use to get Sudan to stop the killing in Darfur and to end the obstruction of the UN peacekeeping force (UNAMID). Yet China has instead consistently defended Sudan against any criticism and has threatened to veto any sanctions on Sudan's oil industry.

That is why we are calling on you to tell China that you will NOT attend the Olympics unless:

1. China stops all arms sales to Sudan

2. China forcefully persuades Sudan to end violent attacks in Darfur and allow the full deployment of the UN peacekeeping force

Please, President Bush, don't let China off the hook.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
January 31, 2008