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Beijing deserves Olympic boycott
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Location: Blogs Roy Stemman's blog |
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| Posted by: Roy Stemman |
8/7/2007 4:32 AM |
What would happen if the Italian government informed the Vatican that, in future, all Popes would have to be born in its country and no one resident in any other nation could have a say in the Papal Fathers’ selection?
There would be an almighty outcry from Roman Catholics around the world, and rightly so. As well as other Christian leaders, Amnesty, the European Union and human rights activists from around the globe would protest vehemently about such unwarranted interference.
St Peter, himself, might even put in an appearance to lend weight to the argument!
Sadly, I suspect that the news from China (see Death of reincarnation for Buddhist lamas?), which imposes similar restrictions on Tibetan Buddhism, will not receive the same prominence in world headlines, though some national newspapers have already highlighted it.
The rebirth aspect is what interests us at Paranormal Review, because Tibetan Buddhists were among the first to apply reasonably scientific scrutiny to claims of reincarnation, particularly of those individuals they regard as “living gods”.
What upsets the Chinese – whose atheistic government has no collective belief in the existence of a soul capable of being reborn – is that until recently they had no control over the choice and education of the leading lamas who represent different Tibetan Buddhist lineages.
But a new law, to be introduced on 1 September, will give it the right to interfere even more in the workings of Buddhism. It is intolerable and deserves to be challenged by every country which champions freedom of speech and religious tolerance.
Beijing, from which this edict was issued, is to host the 2008 Olympic Games – an event whose ideal is to promote peace and human understanding through sport.
In order to do so, it is slowly dragging itself into the 21st century in terms of human rights and labour issues, as well as through huge building projects that are transforming the face of this planet’s most populous nation.
So it must be some small satisfaction to Tibetan Buddhists that their spiritual beliefs are so upsetting to the Chinese authorities. Decades of oppression and thuggery by China in Tibet have failed to eradicate the religion. And its spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, is as popular as ever, even though many of his followers have never had the chance to see him.
Though the Olympics should not be used as a political battleground, there have been occasions in the past when some nations have refused to participate because of the host nation’s inhumane activities.
According to the Washington Post (7 August 2007) human rights group Amnesty International has highlighted the fact, in a new report, that China’s preparations for the Olympic Games have so far not included promised improvements to civil liberties.
It urges the International Olympic Committee to step up pressure on Beijing, pointing to heightened abuse and surveillance of political and religious dissidents, jailing of journalists and closing of publications focusing on social development as evidence of this failure to honour its pledges. The “living Buddha” legislation in Tibet must be added to that long list.
A threat to boycott the Beijing Olympics by governments who are supportive of the Tibetan case would certainly deliver a message to China about religious tolerance and human rights that is long overdue.
ROY STEMMAN
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