Mr Jacques RoggePresident of the International Olympic Committee
Château de Vidy
1007 Lausanne
Switzerland
30 April 2008
Dear Mr Rogge,
We are writing to express our concern at the way that a number of invited individuals were prevented from participation in the One Dream: Free Expression in China event in Hong Kong, taking place from 30 April to 3 May 2008.
Zhang Yu, Secretary General of the International PEN Centre, as well as Danish artist Jens Galschiot and two people travelling with him, were denied entry to Hong Kong ahead of the event.
No reason was given by the Hong Kong immigration authorities and no application of law was involved when these individuals were barred entrance.
We are concerned these individuals were denied entry to Hong Kong due to the nature of our event, which raises freedom of expression matters in China in the lead-up to the Olympic Games. Furthermore, we believe that they were denied entry since the Olympic torch relay is passing through Hong Kong on 2 May.
We respectfully remind you that the “Beijing Olympic Action Plan” issued by the Chinese authorities promises: “In the preparation for the Games, we will be open in every aspect to the rest of the country and the whole world. We will draw on the successful experience of others and follow the international standards and criteria.”
We ask you to call on the Chinese authorities to fully respect the promises they made in their preparations to host the Beijing Olympics. Furthermore, we ask you to call on the Chinese authorities not to restrict movement of individuals ahead of the Games.
We look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience.
Yours faithfully,
Co-organisers, One Dream: Free Expression in China
Hong Kong Journalists Association
International Federation of Journalists
Reporters Sans Frontieres
World Association of Newspapers
American PEN
Independent Chinese PEN Centre
Hong Kong Chinese PEN Centre
Sydney PEN Centre