The author’s arrest while investigating Chinese prisons
Beijing has lavished £19 billion on Olympic sites such as the architecturally startling main sports stadium known as the Bird’s Nest. That spending represents a fraction of the total money poured into one of the swiftest, most radical urban redevelopment schemes in history. An ancient city has been almost totally razed and rebuilt, all in the name of amateur athletics. The old alley districts known as hutongs have been bulldozed to make way for avenues of high rises nosing up through pea soup smog. Those in charge hope the event will close the door on memories of the 4 June 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre. China these days is intent on making a different sort of killing.
Right now, though, Beijing looks like a disaster zone. The city’s Olympic façade turns out to be a Potemkin village. We found that it is precisely because the authorities want to create what will appear to the outside world as a gleaming, modern and peaceful city that they have ignored and abused human rights. Presumably because things are so bad in the city, the IOC now denies ever having linked sport and human rights.
Those calling for a boycott of Beijing’s Olympics are focusing on China’s support for Burma’s brutal generals — or on its continued occupation of Tibet. But in the debate over whether the world should stay away from Beijing in 2008, we should also look at the way China treats its own citizens in the shadows of the flashy new Olympic sports stadiums.
Aidan Hartley’s film for Unreported World will be broadcast on Channel 4 at 7.30 p.m. on 19 October.
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Andrew
October 18th, 2007 4:42pmHow can I see the footage without watching Channel 4 at 7:30 on 19 October??? By the way, that means absolutely nothing to an international readership.
Paul
October 19th, 2007 8:06pmJust watched the program. The Olympic games should be boycotted. There is no justification for the cruelty with which these ordinary people are treated. There is no excuse for not reacting. If you can speak, then shout.
Chloe Pooley
October 19th, 2007 9:35pmWe just watched the programme, too. I had already had huge doubts about China's human rights record in current times but then I saw this programme by Aidan Hartley. It was evidence of vile, pointless and inhumane treatment of ordinary citizens who are being forced out of their homes by the authorities, then beaten, detained and tortured for daring to protest against their treatment. All this because Beijing is making way for new developments near the Olympic zone. The programme makers' treatment speaks volumes about the deeply ironic desperation of behalf of the state to smother any signs of protest to appear developed and democratic in the light of the country's hosting the Olympics. The country should never have won the bid and I sincerely hope participating countries such as the UK pull out for fear of condoning such a repressive regime.
Dret Grefison
October 20th, 2007 6:05amBoycott anything and any brand associated with the Olympics, seriously. Perfect opportunity to make a difference by making 2008 a year the Olympics wouldn't put up with all the BS just to let some (spectacular) kids win medals.
Margaret Gray
October 21st, 2007 9:51pmI would like to see the video of those black jails on the internet. Let me know when it is available.
Daffy
October 23rd, 2007 12:46pmI wish there was a contact at the IOC to make my feelings known or petition I could sign. It was obvious the China would carry on with its human rights abuses and being awarded the Olympics means more of it people suffer with an apparent pat on the back from the rest of the world.
Monty
October 25th, 2007 4:31pmAt the moment, there is a Global Human Rights Torch Relay taking place to raise awareness of human rights in China. Please visit wwww.humanrightstorch.org. From there, there are lots of related links where you can sign petitions. I wasn't going to participate in this Relay. After reading this article and watching http://www.veoh.com/videos/v1357069DKZqmaty I am now feeling really ashamed myself. I am appealing to all you kind-hearted people out there to please, please do something about it. Even something as simple as spreading this link or telling people about it. The ruling Chinese Communist Regime is so brutal and evil that it is even persecuting its own people for practising a traditional Chinese qigong exercise called Falun Gong. Falun Gong benefits both the mind and body and embraces the basic principles of truthfulness, compassion and tolerance. The persecution has been going on for eights years and thousands have been tortured to death. Hundreds of thousands are in jails and slave labour camps in appalling conditions, pumping out all those "Made in China" stuffs we are buying. These are the "lucky" ones as they are hundreds of thousands in detention centres, kept there solely to satisfy the organ harvesting trade in China. Corrupted government officials, judiciaries members and military-based hospitals' directors benefited from the sales of organs of Falun Gong people. How?? Organs are forcibly removed from these detainees while they are still semi-conscious and once transplantations are completed, they are killed and the authorities pocketed the monies made, usually from unsuspecting foreigners who are desperate for a second chance in life. More often than not, these patients died from complications once back in their home countries. It is no longer just a China issue but a worldwide issue now. (http://organharvestinvestigation.net) The evil Chinese Communist Party must be toppled in order for the true and pure traditional China to emerge. Thank you for your kind attention.
Jessie Doyle
November 27th, 2007 9:46pmI was touched moved and inspired by your report. What can I do to help the cause? I only caught part of the programme but would like to know how I can get hold of a copy to watch throughout. Originally I was so shocked I wanted to shame the goverment by enrolling the athlets to boycotte the olymics by sending each of them a copy of your report, with your permission....This led to a breakthrough idea...The olympics being held there next year is an oppotunity to raise awarness and money. The Olymics could be like the United Nations as the world is watching and members from every country are involved. People love to show they care, look at Live Aid and Live 8. A stand for human rights laws to be established in Baijing could be made through some kind of high profile event. I ask again what can I do? How about raising money for the people who are loosing their homes. If there was money for them new homes could be built somewhere safe. I would love to know what you think. If you would like to support these ideas. I would like to inquire further into this as a possibility. Would you let your report be shown to help enrole people into helping? Do you have any ideas/projects that I could get involved with. I see this as a clear and possible oppotunity. Thank you for your time Jessie X
Hallie
January 8th, 2008 9:44pmI am putting together a film series for Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art and I am interested in viewing this documentary. How can I go about requesting a screener? Thanks very much.
Elizabeth Nash
January 18th, 2008 8:18pmI tried to watch the Channel 4 transmission of your program, unfortunately and no doubt due to local weather conditions, I was only able to hear and was not able to see your program as the image throughout was distorted; if there is any means by which I can see your program properly please let me know as I would like to write a letter to Gordan Brown whose speech incidently on the channel 4 news that went before your program, I was able to view with interest and without disturbance from local weather condidions. Many thanks
Paul
January 18th, 2008 8:28pmHaving visited China myself i know how strict they are with taking pictures or filming anything they dont want you to - they have guards or security on every corner! The olympics should never have been given to beijing in the 1st place (somewhere where people still cannot openly express their rights)....there should be more focus put on this by the media 9thus resulting in pressure on the chinese government) - espcially with the olympics not too far off.
ar
January 22nd, 2008 12:28pmBeijings Olympic lie
Jessie Doyle
January 26th, 2008 1:41pmSince my last letter to you I have found a way to make a stand and would love people to join in and support the cause! If anyone missed Aiden's report it its on www.veoh.com/videos/v1357069DKZqmaty
I am recruiting people to join in a sponsored skydive on 29th Feb, which is Leap Year. To raise money and awarness for the people of Beijing who have been unlawfully evicted from their homes and imprisioned as a result. And to support Amnesty International's campaign to have Human Rights Laws for China by the Olympics 2008. Please sponsore or join in the jump, all welcome. This project has just gained the interest and support of my local paper the Ham&High which is great news. I am also hosting a fund raising event on Chinese New Year 8th Feb at The Torriano, 71-73 Torrianno Avenue, Kentish Town London NW5 Please come along and show your support. Love Jessie X