Community | July 19, 2008 | 14 comments

1.5 million people have been displaced for Olympic Games

source: http://ionglobaltrends.blogspot.com/2008/07/olympic-games-15-million-people-have.html

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DeliaTheArtist

"A human rights organization is accusing the Chinese government of widespread forced evictions along with other human rights violations during preparations for the Beijing Olympics. In a new report, the Center on Housing Rights and Evictions says 1.5 million people have been displaced from their homes to make room for Olympic venues and city beautification schemes. Lisa Schlein reports from Geneva.

The Center on Housing Rights and Evictions says it is becoming normal practice for housing rights to be violated by countries hosting mega-events, such as the Olympics. But, it says the scale of displacement that is taking place in China is unprecedented.

The Center's Executive Director, Salih Booker, tells VOA from 1991 to 1999 China displaced an average of 70,000 people a year to make room for economic and urban development projects.

But during the period since Beijing was awarded the games, he says an average of 165,000 people have been displaced through evictions, demolition of houses and relocation to alternative housing.

He says the process was supposed to involve mediation and tenants were supposed to receive adequate compensation for their homes.

"The compensation rates were most frequently below market value," said Booker. "And, because of the corruption that also was encouraged by the process, by the time families actually received money, the original compensation amount had been reduced by middle men among the municipal authorities and construction companies. In cases where citizens absolutely refused, we have witnesses report forced evictions, often using violent techniques and harassment."

China has signed the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, which protects the right to adequate housing. These rights also are protected under China's national law and constitution.

But Booker says there is no independent judiciary in the country and the judicial system is riddled with corruption. As a consequence, he says there is no legal redress for people who have been thrown out of their homes.

The Housing Rights Organization has harsh words for the International Olympic Committee, which it accuses of being an apologist for the Chinese Government. Booker says the International Olympic Committee has refused to take action against the government's human rights violations and massive displacement of its people.

"We are dismayed that the IOC President has suggested that as a result of the Beijing Olympics, the human rights situation in China has improved," he said. "We believe the evidence is completely to the contrary, particularly with regard to housing rights. So, we feel that it is appropriate to hold the IOC accountable for its role in not acknowledging these problems and not seeking to address them in the case of China."

The Center on Housing Rights and Evictions is calling for the International Olympic Committee to bring pressure on the Chinese government to ensure people who are inadequately compensated for being displaced have some form of redress.

The Organization is also demanding that China immediately halt demolitions and evictions."
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14 comments // 1.5 million people have been displaced for Olympic Games

  • AkiraChevelle
    • 0
      AkiraChevelle  

    • I don't know how effective it would be to stage a "TV off" protest. Most of us (those here on current) who seem to care more about what's happening in our evolving world are happy to go along with a protest just to help a cause, and I'll be happy to join them.

      Realistically, (I'll coin them) "middle America" isn't going to find out anything from Fox news (or whoev) about what's happening, and that's the Olympics target audience. Even if they do find out some people have been displaced, I wonder if they would be willing to give up TV time?

      I don't have a suggestion on what to do instead, if I did I'm sure I'd be already doing more than reading the news on current giving my opinions.

      I would like to see a pod on this if anyone is going to the games?

    • 3 years ago
  • vixen0078
    • 0
      vixen0078  

    • Something good CAN come from this.

      The thing about the Olympics being in China is that now, more than ever before, light will be shone on the oppression of Tibet and all of the human rights violations. Believe it or not (please note the sarcasm) most average Americans have no idea about what is happening with Tibet or with the Chinese government in general. Now there will be no excuse for no action being taken by anyone. Now the entire world knows what is going on in China.

      The Olympics is one time that the world is supposed to truely come together for something other than war. Because fo the huge public platform, let's hope the people of Tibet and China can use it to their benefit.

    • 3 years ago
  • martabettencourt
  • martabettencourt
    • 0
      martabettencourt  

    • I really don`t understand how can we watch everyday to the incredible violation of human rights in chine - Beijing -

      how many chinese people are sufering, how many were arrested, how many were forced to leave their houses etc.

      This is the human comedy-tragidy.

      Money and interests first, what kind of persons we became.

    • 3 years ago
  • Ethelred
    • 0
      Ethelred  

    • As [our erroneously linear model of] time progresses, more tragedies will be added to the list that includes what has happened in Darfur, Tibet, East Timor, Kosovo, and Zimbabwe. How can one crisis be judged as more dire than another? Must it be judged by the number of casualties--or by the weight of bile produced by political pundits?

      To be realistic, we are powerless to prevent an international cabal of bankers, politicians, media moguls and prisoners of scholastic dogma from doing what they do.

      As for the revolution, count me out. Let's learn to see everything for what it is and realize that we only hurt ourselves by struggling against--anything! Let's evolve.

    • 3 years ago
  • bishopobispo
  • anglcazn
    • 0
      anglcazn  

    • Riiight. boycott China. Use the Olympics for the wrong reaons. While you're at it, you might as well boycott South Africa during the FIFA games.

      And mind you, I have my own beef with China. I have distant relatives there. I want to see China change and free Tibet like the rest of you. But unlike the rest of you, I will remember the crap in China while you'll forget about it AFTER the Olympics.

    • 3 years ago
  • AMbig
  • Elligirl
    • 0
      Elligirl  

    • Keep in mind the problem of population density. To clear out a city block in Beijing probably moves far more people than to clear out the same area in Los Angeles or Paris.

    • 3 years ago
  • silverex87
  • silverex87
  • BFAM_RVS
    • 0
      BFAM_RVS  

    • From a global perspective, it appears many fucked up thing occur in China (and don't get me wrong, I will be the first to say that many amazing, beautiful, and positive things and people are in China every moment of every day) and the world does nothing...China has good people worth fighting for and making a positive difference for...it is good to recognize human rights violations...but what are we going to do next to help and make things better? Where are all of these displaced people? How can we get aid to them? As a global community, these items needs to be a priority...the cool thing is the movement and brain-storming has begun...get ready for the revolution...it is in our lifetime !!!!!!!!!

      BFAM_RVS

    • 3 years ago
  • CharlieG
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