The EFAy has written to the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Dr. Jacques Rogge, to bring to his attention the EFAy reolution passed at our April 2008 General Assembly in Palma de Mallorca.

The letter urged Dr Rogge to use its influence to ensure that no further repression of the Tibetan people by the Chinese authorities takes place in the run up to the Olympics. In particular the following points were also raised, in line with the resolution passed:

“[We] urge the IOC and China not to take the Olympic flame through Tibet, as it will be seen as a provocation by Tibetans and might give the Chinese government extra reason to increase the repression of the population”

“Note that China’s use of the Olympics to use as propaganda for world harmony while at the same time crushing all dissent in Tibet is obscene. All European athletes competing in the Olympics should look to their conscience and decide if they wish to take part in a competition in a state that is committing acts of genocide against Tibetans.”

The EFAy also wrote to the Foreign Minister of the People's Republic of China, Minister Yang Jiechi, requesting that China refrains from taking the flame through Tibet. Li Lizhi, of the Beijing Olympic torch relay centre, said yesterday that the torch is still planned to go through Tibet, but the time it will be in the country will be shortened due to the recent earthquake. Li Lizhi said that the torch will be in Tibet:

“… either on June 18 or June 19, as is tentatively set now. But it is still open to future adjustment.”

The full text of the letter sent to the IOC can be found here.

The full text of the EFAy resolution can be found here.