On Thursday, U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., sent a letter to Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison urging him to join global efforts to move the 2022 Olympic Games out of Communist China and to a nation that respects human rights.
Scott has made similar requests of President Joe Biden, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Scott’s letter is below.
Dear Prime Minister Morrison:
Thank you for your country’s efforts to investigate the origins of COVID-19 in Communist China and for calling on the World Health Organization to conduct a thorough investigation in Wuhan. Since then, Communist China has despicably and vindictively tried to bully you and your people through economic restrictions and slander. I urge you not let up or give into these childish tactics.
You are also right to expose the horrific human rights abuses in Communist China, and for working to hold them accountable. This month, Australia welcomed new U.S. sanctions of Communist leaders in Xinjiang because of their horrific human rights abuses. It is my hope that your government joins the U.S. to call these crimes what they are – genocide. In the midst of these human rights atrocities, as well as economic and national security challenges, we must all join together to stand up to dictators like General Secretary Xi.
As we stand up for human rights and against General Secretary Xi’s abuses, I encourage you to join me in calling on the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to move the 2022 Olympics Games out of Beijing. Governments and international organizations have the ability and responsibility to address human rights concerns, and calling on the IOC to move the 2022 Olympics Games out of Beijing is the right course of action. To be clear, I do not support a boycott. Boycotting these games will only hurt athletes who have spent their lives training to represent their country on the international stage. Instead, it should be the position of all democratic nations that the IOC can and should move the 2022 Games to a nation that respects human rights.
I have introduced legislation in the United States Senate calling on the IOC to move the 2022 Games out of Beijing unless Communist China demonstrates significant progress in securing and protecting fundamental human rights. Today, I am asking that you join me, the Canadian House of Commons and a number of global human rights organizations in this effort by urging the IOC to take immediate action.
The Olympic Games give the world’s best athletes a chance to represent their countries and unite our nations. However, this cannot be achieved if we ignore the grotesque abuses of Communist China and allow the games to be hosted in Beijing, putting the safety of all athletes and attendees at risk.
I recently requested a meeting with President Biden to discuss this incredibly important issue and would appreciate the opportunity to meet with you to discuss the 2022 Olympic Games as well. Working together, we can seize this opportunity to highlight our shared belief in freedom and democracy, while preserving the marvel that is and must always be so perfectly captured by the unity created by the Olympic Games.
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