USA wants talks on Olympic boycott for Beijing in 2022

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Olympic rings at Beijing's National Stadium

Photo: Mark Schiefelbein / dpa

The US State Department wants to talk to other states about a possible boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.

A coordinated approach to the issue is not only in the interests of the United States, but also in the interests of its "allies and partners," said Foreign Office spokesman Ned Price on Tuesday.

Speaking of general discussions with allied countries on how to deal with human rights violations in China, especially with regard to the 2022 Olympics, Price said: “The games are still some time away.

I wouldn't want to set a schedule, but these discussions are ongoing. "

A high-ranking State Department official made it clear that the US was not currently in talks.

“Our position on the 2022 Olympics has not changed.

We have had no discussions and are not discussing any joint boycott with allies and partners, ”it said.

"Unconcealed disregard for civil and human rights"

The US accuses China of human rights violations.

In February, an alliance of 180 international human rights groups and representatives of minorities in China asked the international community not to participate in the February 2022 Games.

Everything else is seen "as support for authoritarian rule and the undisguised disregard for civil and human rights by the Chinese Communist Party," said an open letter from the alliance.

The International Olympic Committee with the German President Thomas Bach recently rejected all boycott demands.

In March, Bach said that a boycott was the "wrong answer to such questions."

The President of the German Olympic Sports Confederation, Alfons Hörmann, categorically ruled out a boycott in February.

Seven US Republican senators called for Beijing to withdraw the Games in February.

They referred to the persecution of Uyghurs and Tibetans as well as China's threats against Taiwan.

Senator Rick Scott introduced a resolution in the Senate.

ire / dpa