News Release
For Immediate Release
31 October 2007
Toowoomba says the Olympics and Crimes Against Humanity Don't Mix
People across the city and region will take a stand tomorrow (Thursday, 1 November) when the Global Human Rights Torch Relay comes to town.
The torch arrived Down Under in Sydney on Saturday 27 October and will make its first Queensland stop in Toowoomba on tomorrow (Thursday, 1 November 2007). As it travels around the world, it is hoped that the relay will raise enough awareness that world leaders will apply pressure on China's ruling regime to end human rights violations against political and religious prisoners of conscience.
Spokesperson for the Global Human Rights Torch – Toowoomba Network, Emmy Pfister said Beijing still carries out systematic organ harvesting on some people.
“Falun Gong followers, members of the underground Christian Church, Chinese defectors and pro-democracy activists face persecution, imprisonment and torture.
“To make matters worse, as the Chinese economy grows and China is seen more and more as an ideal business partner, less leaders in the West are making a stand.
“This is reminiscent of the lack of a stand the West had against Apartheid in South Africa during the eighties,” Ms Pfister said.
The torch is stopping in 25 countries and more than 100 cities in Europe, Asia, North America and Australia. Before reaching our shores the torch had visited over 20 European cities including Athens, Berlin, Prague, Vienna, Geneva, Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, London and Dublin.
Ms Pfister said it would have been good if a similar Human Rights Torch existed in the lead up to 1936 Olympics in Berlin.
“The Olympic charter actually states that any form of discrimination with regard to a country or a person on grounds of race, religion, politics, gender or otherwise is incompatible with belonging to the Olympic Movement,” Ms Pfister said.
The stop will take place on Thursday 1st November starting at 4.00 p.m. With a welcome ceremony at Gallery Park, Corner of Ruthven and Little Streets, followed by the relay through the CBD.
The torch will end up at Alford Place, Corner of Margaret and Victoria Streets at 6.00 p.m. where it will be passed on to Brisbane during a candlelight vigil and concert. The concert will feature many of the region's top artists headed by Toowoomba country music star Mick Lindsay with involvement also from local secondary and tertiary students.
For more information contact Yan Zhao on 0433 430 830 or visit hrtorchtoowoomba.blogspot.com and www.humanrightstorch.org .
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For Immediate Release
31 October 2007
Toowoomba says the Olympics and Crimes Against Humanity Don't Mix
People across the city and region will take a stand tomorrow (Thursday, 1 November) when the Global Human Rights Torch Relay comes to town.
The torch arrived Down Under in Sydney on Saturday 27 October and will make its first Queensland stop in Toowoomba on tomorrow (Thursday, 1 November 2007). As it travels around the world, it is hoped that the relay will raise enough awareness that world leaders will apply pressure on China's ruling regime to end human rights violations against political and religious prisoners of conscience.
Spokesperson for the Global Human Rights Torch – Toowoomba Network, Emmy Pfister said Beijing still carries out systematic organ harvesting on some people.
“Falun Gong followers, members of the underground Christian Church, Chinese defectors and pro-democracy activists face persecution, imprisonment and torture.
“To make matters worse, as the Chinese economy grows and China is seen more and more as an ideal business partner, less leaders in the West are making a stand.
“This is reminiscent of the lack of a stand the West had against Apartheid in South Africa during the eighties,” Ms Pfister said.
The torch is stopping in 25 countries and more than 100 cities in Europe, Asia, North America and Australia. Before reaching our shores the torch had visited over 20 European cities including Athens, Berlin, Prague, Vienna, Geneva, Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, London and Dublin.
Ms Pfister said it would have been good if a similar Human Rights Torch existed in the lead up to 1936 Olympics in Berlin.
“The Olympic charter actually states that any form of discrimination with regard to a country or a person on grounds of race, religion, politics, gender or otherwise is incompatible with belonging to the Olympic Movement,” Ms Pfister said.
The stop will take place on Thursday 1st November starting at 4.00 p.m. With a welcome ceremony at Gallery Park, Corner of Ruthven and Little Streets, followed by the relay through the CBD.
The torch will end up at Alford Place, Corner of Margaret and Victoria Streets at 6.00 p.m. where it will be passed on to Brisbane during a candlelight vigil and concert. The concert will feature many of the region's top artists headed by Toowoomba country music star Mick Lindsay with involvement also from local secondary and tertiary students.
For more information contact Yan Zhao on 0433 430 830 or visit hrtorchtoowoomba.blogspot.com and www.humanrightstorch.org .
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