The following is a 7 May 2008 joint press release
by ARTICLE 19 and RSF:

Olympics: Waving the Tibetan Flag May Bring Untold Consequences for
Athletes, warns IOC

Athletes who wave the Tibetan flag or wear traditional dress while at the
Beijing Olympics, could find themselves sanctioned under Article 51 (3) of
the Olympic Charter according to guidelines issued in April by the
International Olympic Committee (IOC). The penalties for such a "crime"
however, remain unknown.

"In keeping with the conduct of China, the current Olympic host country,
the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has taken it upon itself to quash
even the slightest sign of political expression," said ARTICLE 19 and
Reporters Without Borders, "The free expression of athletes is being
denounced and silenced before our very eyes."

Article 51 (3) of the Olympic Charter affirms that "No kind of
demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in
any Olympic sites, venues or other areas." Perhaps due to growing
international attention, National Olympic Committees (NOCs) recently asked
the IOC to provide an interpretation of this Article. In a six-point letter
sent to NOCs in April, the IOC outlined that "The conduct of participants
at all sites, areas and venues includes all actions, reactions, attitudes
or manifestations of any kind by a person or group of persons, including
but not limited to their look, external appearance, clothing, gestures, and
written or oral statements."

The letter warns that athletes must use their "common sense" in "showing
respect for the dignity of all fellow athletes, including those of the host
country." Last month, Jacques Rogge, President of the IOC, also stated that
IOC officials would use their common sense to determine whether or not an
athlete is breaking Article 51 (3).

It therefore appears that Olympic athletes may not be given clear standards
before the event as to what kinds of activity will be permitted and that
decisions on the compatibility of athletes' speech with Article 51 (3) will
be decided on an ad hoc basis at the Olympic Games. This will create a
chilling effect on the right to freedom of expression of individual
athletes. More generally, the absence of concrete guidance will mean that
there will be a lack of public transparency concerning the rules governing
athletes' conduct.

"The combination of so-called 'common sense' together with the still
unknown penalties for breach of Article 51 (3) are likely to generate
considerable uncertainty among athletes. This in turn will invoke a severe
chilling effect over the athlete community and will likely amount to a
Games in which the freedom of expression of athletes is unequivocally
crushed," said the two organisations.

ARTICLE 19 and RSF call on the International Olympic Committee to
immediately amend or interpret Article 51 (3) of the Olympic Charter so
that it is compatible with international human rights principles on freedom
of expression stemming from ARTICLE 19 of the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights. The right of Olympic athletes to openly comment on the
situation of human rights in China or other countries must be upheld. Both
the IOC and NOCs must make public statements pledging their full commitment
to ensuring the right to freedom of expression of athletes at this year's
Beijing Olympics. To do otherwise would be contradictory to the very spirit
of the Olympic Games and would be in clear violation to the fundamental
right to freedom of expression.

ARTICLE 19 is an independent human rights organisation that works around
the world to protect and promote the right to freedom of expression. It
takes its name from Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights, which guarantees free speech.

Reporters Without Borders defends imprisoned journalists and press freedom
throughout the world. It has nine national sections (Austria, Belgium,
Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland) and
representatives in Bangkok, London, New York, Tokyo and Washington. And it
has more than 120 correspondents worldwide.

For further information on other OIC prohibitions against athletes
expressing themselves, see:
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/92602
http://www.ifex.org/en/content/view/full/90804