The Human Rights Torch Relay (HRTR) is an international campaign that seeks to bring an end to all human rights abuses against people in China while highlighting the persecution of Falun Gong... During the run up to the 2008 Olympics, the HRTR will sponsor events in 37 countries on five continents....
We hope by all of us taking a stand, the Olympic spirit will bring hope, peace and friendship for the Chinese people and true improvement in their lives. The Olympic charter states:
The persecution of Falun Gong is the #1 human rights violation in China today. China has not seen an attack on its people of such force since the Cultural Revolution, where every social, legal, and government apparatus is forced and manipulated to eliminate a targeted group from society...
We hope by all of us taking a stand, the Olympic spirit will bring hope, peace and friendship for the Chinese people and true improvement in their lives. The Olympic charter states:
Fundamental Principles of Olympism
- Olympism is a philosophy of life, exalting and combining in a balanced whole the qualities of body, will and mind. Blending sport with culture and education, Olympism seeks to create a way of life based on the joy of effort, the educational value of good example and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles.
- The goal of Olympism is to place sport at the service of the harmonious development of man, with a view to promoting a peaceful society concerned with the preservation of human dignity.
- The Olympic Movement is the concerted, organised, universal and permanent action, carried out under the supreme authority of the IOC, of all individuals and entities who are inspired by the values of Olympism. It covers the five continents. It reaches its peak with the bringing together of the world's athletes at the great sports festival, the Olympic Games. Its symbol is five interlaced rings.
- The practice of sport is a human right. Every individual must have the possibility of practising sport, without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play. The organisation, administration and management of sport must be controlled by independent sports organisations.
- Any form of discrimination with regard to a country or a person on grounds of race, religion, politics, gender or otherwise is incompatible with belonging to the Olympic Movement.
- Belonging to the Olympic Movement requires compliance with the Olympic Charter and recognition by the IOC.
“Safeguarding the dignity of the individual is a fundamental requirement of the Olympics.” (IOC Code of Ethics)