Punishment for protesting in China
Al Jazeera English interviews Wu Dianyuan and Wang Xiuying – two Chinese women in their seventies who have been sentenced to a year in a labour camp after applying to use one of the Olympic protest zones.
The women, who apparently made numerous applications to use the protest parks, have been campaiging for justice since being kicked out of their Beijing homes to make way for redevelopment in 2001.
Chinese authorities have revealed that they haven't approved any of the 77 applications from people who wanted to hold protests in the specially set up zones, during the Olympics. Some of those who applied have been detained or forced out of the city, and at least one is missing.


Comments
Sophie Peer | Posted on 26 August 2008, 09:50AM | Report comment
Whilst everyone is entitled to work for change in their own peaceful way, I don’t think boycotts are the way to go. Positive engagement, opening to the world and access to media can all be useful for creating change. The world would not have been focused on China’s human rights abuses if it were not for the spotlight of the Games. We have a unique opportunity to push for change and for the world to see what really happens in China. So, here’s hoping the IOC have learnt some lessons and that future Games can really create the positive legacy and goodwill they are meant to.
Jo | Posted on 24 August 2008, 04:32AM | Report comment
The campaign to Boycott London starts tomorrow.
The British are US dogs (Tony Blair), Killers of Irak people, Guantanamo Bay sponsors, Colonial masters, Killers of islanders from Diego Garcia. Boycott London Olympics 2012. Ha ha ha. Feel it now.