BRUSSELS, Belgium -- The European Parliament opposes
Beijing's bid for the 2008 Olympics, citing China's "disastrous
record on human rights."
In a resolution passed without a vote Thursday, the 626-member
European Union assembly, meeting in Strasbourg, France, said the
bid was "inappropriate."
"China's disastrous record on human rights makes Beijing an
unsuitable venue for the 2008 Olympic Games," the parliament said.
The parliament's resolution has a largely symbolic value and is
not binding on governments in the 15 EU nations or other EU
institutions.
The EU assembly regretted that China "demonstrably fails" to
live up to international human rights standards and urged the
International Olympic Committee to "reconsider Beijing's
candidacy" only when China has made "fundamental changes" in
human rights policies.
EU External Relations Commissioner Chris Patten disagrees with
the approach by parliament.
"While I share the parliament's concerns about the human rights
situation in China, I have long held the view that it is best not
to mix sport and politics," he said.
The IOC meets July 13 in Moscow to chose the host of the 2008
Games. Beijing remains the front-runner, but two other leading
contenders, Toronto and Paris, could gain ground because of the
human rights dispute.
Beijing officials say an Olympics would promote human rights in
China.
Amnesty International, the London-based human rights group, said
China executed 1,781 people in the last three months.
In a report, the group said China has put people to death not
just for violent crimes, but also for bribery, embezzlement, fraud,
pimping, stealing gasoline, selling harmful foods and drug
offenses.
The parliament also called for an "environmental impact
assessment" of the bid, to take into account water shortages and
the impact of the games on the surrounding area around Beijing.
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