European lawmakers call for a boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics, saying that human rights issues are not in line with the spirit of the Olympics

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has drawn international criticism for its violations of human rights in Xinjiang and its crackdown on democracy and freedom in Hong Kong. A growing number of countries have recently called on the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to disqualify the Chinese Communist Party from hosting the Winter Olympics in 2022. In addition to former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo‘s special boycott in early March, European officials have recently called on the European Union to join the boycott.

The U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has expressed support for the call for a U.S. boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing, saying China is engaged in “vicious” activities and is not fit to host the Olympics.

Beijing has faced increasing criticism from human rights groups and some governments for its treatment of Uighurs and other ethnic minorities in Xinjiang, which has been described as genocidal by the Chinese government. In addition, the Hong Kong government’s recent arrests of pro-democracy activists and its re-election of “patriots to rule Hong Kong” have been condemned by the international community.

In response, members of the European Parliament have begun to call on Western democracies not to stand idly by and expect EU member states to boycott the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, making it clear to the Beijing government that their policy of persecution of people is contrary to the spirit of the Olympics.

Earlier, the Canadian Parliament called on the International Olympic Committee not to allow Beijing to host the 2022 Winter Olympics if it does not improve its treatment of Uighur Muslims. Former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has also expressed support for a U.S. boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, arguing that the Chinese Communist Party is engaged in “vicious” activities that make it unfit to host the Games.

Belgian newspaper The Parliament Magazine reported on March 12 that MEPs are calling on the European Union to boycott the Beijing Winter Olympics amid concerns about alleged violations of Uighur human rights by the Chinese Communist Party and the erosion of Hong Kong’s democratic autonomy, and are demanding that sponsors to reassess their participation.

Anna Fotyga, a Polish MEP, stressed that the boycott is meant to send a clear message to the Chinese Communist Party that their heavy-handed policies are in stark contrast to the spirit of the Olympics. And no Western democracy should stand by and let such tragic things continue to happen in China.

Furtigal also tweeted on the 12th that “we are planning further boycotts of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics with parliamentarians from several countries.

The report also mentions the Chinese Communist Party’s civil attack and military intimidation of Taiwan, with its military aircraft frequently circling Taiwan to provoke since last year, as well as its continued policy of militarizing the South China Sea off the coasts of Vietnam and the Philippines.