Boycott of Olympics is no solution 08/04/2008 00:00

Foreign minister believes boycotting the Beijing Olympics will not lead to changes in human rights issues.

8 April 2008

BELGIUM - The Belgian foreign minister Karel De Gucht is not backing an Olympic boycott.

Speaking on French-speaking radio, De Gucht said that a possible boycott of the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics will not lead to greater observance of human rights.

The foreign minister noted that the human rights situation in China was not a new problem and was not limited to Tibet.

De Gucht pointed to the 7,500 death sentences in China each year.

The Foreign Minister intends to formulate a new foreign policy document for the new Belgian government soon. Any decision on a possible boycott of the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics is a matter for the government, but the Foreign Minister does not support such a move.

De Gucht also noted positive developments in China. As a result of the economic boom many Chinese have escaped poverty.

[flandersenews.be / Expatica]