How should democratic countries approach the Beijing Winter Games?
The Chinese government has been accused of violating the rights of minorities, including Muslim Uighurs and Tibetans, and suppressing freedoms in Hong Kong. For this reason many rights activists and politicians in the West support a diplomatic boycott of the Winter Olympics next February that would see heads of state and other top officials stay away from the event.
For Switzerland, the decision over whether to boycott the Games is a tough one. Economic relations with China are important, as is Switzerland’s good offices role bringing parties to the negotiating table – all of which the Swiss don’t want to risk jeopardising by skipping the Olympics.
From the article Pressure builds for a diplomatic boycott of Beijing Games
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