'Boris Johnson MUST commit to full diplomatic boycott of Beijing 2022 Olympics'

China’s human rights record in recent years has been abysmal – it’s time for the UK to stand up for what is right, writes Siobhain McDonagh MP

As the Covid-delayed year of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics draws to a close and we look forward to the next Games, the prospect of a Winter Olympics taking place in Beijing in 2022 will be a bitter pill for many to swallow.

Several countries, including the USA, Canada and Australia, have already announced a full and official diplomatic boycott of the games. Prime Minister Boris Johnson seemingly followed suit in early December, but all that Johnson has vaguely declared so far is that the UK will “ effectively institute a diplomatic boycott ” while also confusing the matter by adding that he “didn’t think sporting boycotts were sensible”.

This lack of clarity is a cause for concern, particularly the use of the word “effectively”. Until the Foreign Office releases a clear statement of its intentions and practicalities, we cannot know whether the Prime Minister is just paying lip service to the idea of taking action or, like so many of his other promises, it is just empty words.

A diplomatic boycott of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics will not free Hong Kong overnight. But it will send a clear message to China that we stand with Hong Kong and against Beijing’s distain for freedom, democracy and the rule of law.

China’s human rights record in recent years has been nothing short of abysmal. The brutal treatment of the Uyghur people in Xinjiang and the totalitarian takeover of Hong Kong have sent shockwaves around the globe.

In Hong Kong, the National Security Law (NSL) has been used to dismantle freedom and democracy, as well as breaching Hong Kong’s Basic Law. With little to no repercussions from the international community, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has been free to trample on international law and humanitarian principles.

In the years since the 2019 protests, Hong Kong’s Beijing-backed authorities have worked to dismantle any semblance of democracy or political freedom in the city. This culminated with the Legislative Council elections held on December 19 resulting in a sweeping victory for pro-Beijing candidates. This came as no surprise as only those loyal to the Chinese government were allowed to stand.

When the Winter Olympics kick off in February, the eyes of the world will be on Beijing. And they will be watching to see if there are representatives of the UK government or the Royal family in attendance. If so, they will be condoning one of the worst regimes for human rights in recent history.

What is needed is a clear message that the Chinese government’s actions in Xinjiang and Hong Kong are wrong and that there are those around the world who will stand up for what is right. Until the Prime Minister commits the UK to a full and official diplomatic boycott, this message will be lost.

So many of Boris Johnson’s promises turn out to be just empty words, for the people of Xinjiang and Hong Kong, let’s hope this time that is not the case.