Athletes Warned Not To Talk About Human Rights At The 2022 Beijing Olympics For Safety

Olimpiade Beijing (Twitter @beijing2022)

JAKARTA - Human rights organization Human Rights Watch warned athletes traveling to next month's Beijing Olympics not to talk about human rights issues while in China for their own safety.

Human rights organizations have long criticized the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for awarding the Olympics to China, citing the Chinese government's treatment of the Uighurs and other Muslim minorities, which the United States views as genocide. However, China denies the accusations.

"There really isn't a lot of protection that we believe will be given to athletes," said Global Athlete group director general Rob Koehler.

"So we advise athletes not to speak up. We want them to compete and use their voices when they go home."

Rule 50 of the Olympic Charter states that "no type of political, religious or racial demonstration or propaganda is permitted in any Olympic venue, venue or area."

However, cross-country skier who represented the US at the 2014 and 2018 Winter Olympics, Noah Hoffman, said athletes should feel free to talk about issues that matter to them, no matter where they are.

"There has to be comprehensive protection for every athlete who speaks at any time about human rights issues," Hoffman said.

The Beijing Winter Olympics will be held from February 4 to February 20, 2022.