On Tuesday, U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., sent a letter to United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson urging him to join efforts to move the 2022 Olympic Games out of Communist China and to a nation that respects human rights. Scott also called on Johnson to join the United States in designating Communist China’s blatant and egregious human rights abuses against the Uyghurs as genocide.
Scott’s letter is below.
Dear Prime Minster Johnson,
Thank you for your continued efforts to expose the horrific human rights abuses in Communist China, and for working to hold them accountable. In February, during his speech before the UN Human Rights Council, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab denounced the forced labor and torture of the Uyghurs and the systemic violations of civil liberties in Hong Kong. I also appreciated the British Consulate’s presence outside the trial of pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong. In the midst of these human rights atrocities, we all must stand up to dictators like General Secretary Xi, and I encourage Britain to join the U.S. in designating what is happening to the Uyghurs as genocide.
Recently, you opposed the idea of boycotting the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing. I, too, oppose boycotts because they only hurt athletes who have spent their lives training to represent their country on the international stage, but that does not mean nothing should be done. Governments and international organizations have the ability and responsibility to address human rights concerns and call on the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to change direction, and move the 2022 Olympics Games out of Beijing.
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. The IOC has the time and ability to move the games to a country that truly respects human rights, and I urge you to join me in this effort and urge the IOC to take immediate action.
The Olympic Games gives 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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