Mr. Dahlin, the closer the Winter Olympics in Beijing draws, the louder the criticism, mainly because of the human rights situation. What about human rights in China?
Peter Dahlin: Since the 2008 Summer Olympics, we have seen a steady deterioration in all areas related to basic human rights. The situation has deteriorated in recent years insofar as action is no longer just taken against human rights activists, but against many areas of civil society.
Can you elaborate on that?
Dalin: First, a few years ago, the term “civil society” was banned and replaced with “public society”. Everything that the leadership sees as civil society takes place outside of the party and the state and therefore poses a potential threat to them. Especially after global protests and revolutions, the government wants to smash every form of civil organization.
You too were seen as a threat to the Communist Party and imprisoned in 2016. Please tell us about your detention.
Dalin: Well, I’ve never been arrested in the classic sense, never been charged or been part of a judicial process. Instead, I was put in a so-called “black prison” where the regime makes dissidents disappear – a massively growing system of criminal arbitrariness. It goes against anything seen as anti-partisan and exemplifies the collapse of the judicial system. I was held in solitary confinement, in a padded suicide cell, for a month, and was only released following intense diplomatic pressure.
“Of course, a diplomatic boycott will not prevent the games”
How did this experience change your perception of China?
Dalin: She took my hope away. Otherwise, the suppression of civil society occurs in cycles. After severe suppression, relaxation follows. Reform and opening-up were a means for China to grow and become stronger. Now the country is strong both domestically and internationally and is regaining control of society. Suppression is increasing, but there is no prospect of relaxation. A worrying development.
Given this catastrophic human rights situation, should the Olympic Games be held there?
Dalin: I think it’s too late to cancel. What I’m wondering is why wasn’t this discussed at the time of award? Why has nothing been learned from the many empty promises made about the 2008 Summer Games? Especially in countries with a difficult human rights situation, these discussions must be conducted and the promises of the host must be analyzed. Instead, all promises broken at the time were I.O.C swept under the rug. On the part of I.O.C so there was no analysis, no re-assessment of risk, no nothing.
Several countries including the USA, have declared a diplomatic boycott. How do you rate this political tool?
Dalin: Of course, a diplomatic boycott will not prevent the games. But judging by the Chinese leadership’s reaction, it seems to be working very well. They desperately want high-ranking political figures to attend the games and they are now being denied that. For them, this is a threat to their legitimacy. It challenges the global stage that China wants to use for self-expression.