The Global Human Rights Torch Relay (HRTR) will arrive in Australia tomorrow, with Sydney the first stop in the national tour. The Torch will be handed over from the UK, the last destination of the two-month European relay leg.
“Tomorrow I’ll lend my support to the organisers of this event who are saying that the ‘Olympics and crimes against humanity cannot co-exist in China’,” said Upper House Greens MP Ian Cohen.
“There are some eminent people running tomorrow but I don’t see anyone from the NSW Government on the list of participants.
“This is disappointing, as I believe that the issues confronting Chinese people working for change and human rights need absolute support from all walks of life, including from the ALP.
“I’m running to support citizens of Taiwan as well as Chinese citizens held as political prisoners without charge or trial, including democracy activists, lawyers, human rights defenders, religious leaders, journalists, trade unionists, Tibetan Buddhists, Falun Gong, Muslim Uyghurs, ‘‘unofficial’’ church members, environmental and health activists and political dissidents.
“I’m also running to stop Falun Gong prisoners of conscience being operated on against their will so that their organs can be sold to ‘transplant tourists’.
“The Greens have always been strong advocates for human rights and therefore I’m very pleased to be able to support this event.
“China won the right to host the 2008 Olympics, it’s about time their citizens won basic human rights,” said Mr Cohen.
Further Information: Ian Cohen: 0409 989 466
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