Background

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) granted Beijing the 2008 Olympic Games on 13 July 2001. During the bidding process and afterwards, Chinese and Olympic officials made assurances that human rights in China would improve as a result of hosting the Games.

Wang Wei, Secretary General of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Bid Committee said:

"We are confident that the Games coming to China not only promotes our economy, but also enhances human rights."

Jacques Rogge, President of the IOC said:

"We are convinced that the Olympic Games will improve the human rights record in China."

While the world’s attention is focusing on the spectacle of the Games and its celebration of human sporting achievement, Amnesty International is monitoring some relevant aspects of China’s human rights performance and will keep you up to date with news stories and debate.

We will focus on assessing the progress on four human rights issues of particular importance in China:

• repression of activists
• detention without trial
• censorship
• the death penalty