[17/04/2008] The Olympic Games have ''put the spotlight on China’s lack of human rights and democracy,'' said Göran Lindblad, Chair of the Political Affairs Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly, on 17 April, in opening a hearing on the political situation in China before this year’s event. 

“The Political Affairs Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE),  following a hearing on the political situation in China on the eve of the Olympic Games with the participation of experts, expresses its concern over the human rights violations and the persistent lack of progress towards democracy in China, including Tibet.

As the organiser of the next summer Olympic Games, China has a unique opportunity to show Europe and the world at large its determination to improve its record in the field of democracy, human rights and the rule of law, all core values of the Council of Europe.

In the run-up to the Olympic Games, the Political Affairs Committee feels it is time to keep up the international pressure on China through all appropriate means.

Our member states should be consistent and coherent in their action towards China with the aim of obtaining concrete improvement in China in the field of democracy, the rule of law and human rights including freedom of expression.

The Committee will take all necessary steps to discuss the matter further with a view to considering concrete actions before the Olympic Games. The Committee is convinced that it has a duty to look into this matter, in a timely and  thorough manner.”