BERLIN (DPA) – Human rights organization Human Rights Watch is calling on the federal government to boycott the Olympic Winter Games in Beijing (February 4 to 20, 2022).

“The diplomatic boycott is more than just a middle ground,” said Wenzel Michalski, director of Germany’s Human Rights Watch, news portal “Watson” https://www.sueddeutsche.de/sport/. What we ask for and expect from. The new federal government.”

In addition, “it should be considered whether medal winners should be honored upon return from a country where human rights are not respected,” Michalsky said, and suggested that “the human rights of potential organisers” should be considered. Testing should be done first. are honored.

China has also been criticized for human rights violations in its dealings with Uighurs and Tibetans, suppressing the democracy movement in Hong Kong, and threats against Taiwan. The US announced that it would not send diplomatic or official representatives to the Games in China. Australia, Canada and the UK followed suit. New Zealand also does not want to send diplomatic representatives to China.

New German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said late last week that he had not yet decided on a possible diplomatic boycott of the Winter Games. Discussions are being sought, along with many others, “because we want to act here in a coordinated manner,” the SPD politician said after his inaugural visit to French President Emmanuel Macron. The French head of state has made it clear that he does not consider the diplomatic boycott helpful.

© dpa-infocom, dpa: 211218-99-433468/2