News item | 04-02-2022 | 10:46
Why is there no delegation on behalf of the Dutch government to the Olympic Games in China?
No Dutch government delegation will attend these Games. Due to the strict corona measures, it is not possible for Dutch spectators to attend the Winter Olympics in Beijing (4-20 February 2022). That was also the case during the Summer Games in Tokyo last year. King Willem-Alexander will therefore not be at these Winter Games.
Furthermore, due to the strict corona measures, there is little room for a substantive program with Chinese interlocutors. As a result, the major concerns of the Netherlands about the human rights situation in China cannot be discussed. That is why the government refrains from sending an official delegation to China during these Olympic Games.
Which other countries are not going to the Olympics?
The number of countries that send a government delegation to the Winter Olympics is limited. Discussions with other EU Member States show that many of them take a similar position as the Netherlands. This means that no official delegation is sent, without there being a political boycott. The Prime Minister, the King and Dutch ministers will therefore simply support the athletes from the Netherlands and congratulate them on their achievements.
What is the Netherlands doing for human rights in China?
The Netherlands has serious concerns about the overall human rights situation in China. Universal human rights, such as freedom of expression and freedom of religion and belief, are increasingly restricted. The rights of ethnic and religious minorities are under great pressure.
The most serious concerns are the situation in the Xinjiang region, where there is widespread detention of Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities in ‘re-education camps’. In addition, there is surveillance, indoctrination, degrading conditions, forced labor and systematic violations of the freedom of religion and belief.
The Netherlands and the EU are speaking out against this worrying situation and are arguing, among other things, for an independent investigation by the UN. In addition, the Netherlands and the EU are advocating unimpeded access to Xinjiang for independent observers, such as the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Joint statements and the EU human rights sanctions regime are part of a broader human rights policy on China. The Netherlands is committed to promoting human rights, including through regular contact with China and projects through the Human Rights Fund.