Reform in China

Edward calls for reform in China

Gordon Brown was urged by Edward McMillan-Scott to start a Europe-wide debate on whether athletes should boycott the Beijing Olympics in response to human rights abuses.

McMillan-Scott - seen above at a London human rights rally - claimed there was evidence of "persecution and genocide" in China and said EU countries should consider pulling out of the Games.

In the event, the Presidents of the EU Commission and EU Parliament both boycotted the games, as did the External Affairs Commissioner.

Mr McMillan-Scott, MEP for Yorkshire and the Humber and a vice-president of the European Parliament, raised the issue of a human rights boycott following a visit to China in 2006.

He said: "There is continuing evidence of persecution, and even genocide, in China.

"The civilised world must seriously consider shunning China - and using the Beijing Olympics to send the clear message that such abuses of human rights are not acceptable.

"The debate must take place - whether the countries of the European Union are present at the Beijing Olympics or whether they stay away."

Mr McMillan-Scott added: "I believe that everyone has the right to practise a religion of their choice without persecution, imprisonment or torture.

"Christians, Buddhists - especially in Tibet - and Muslims are all persecuted.

"Human rights should be endorsed by the Olympic movement, and it is time for the European Union to enter the debate."

BACKGROUND

McMillan-Scott report on EU-China in 1997

Edward McMillan-Scott wrote a key report for the European Parliament's foreign affairs committee on the EU-China Strategy in 1997 as the economic boom accelerated. Even then he sought a more political approach with his slogan, "Not just business-as-usual, but also politics-as-usual".  He was a frequent visitor to China and was the first politician to visit Tibet after a three-year ban.

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He is pictured here on the Great Wall during his 2006 visit