Nick Clegg, leader of the Liberal Democrat party here in England, is one politician, (one outspoken politician), who stands out from the crowd in many ways. For the first time in a long time I reckon the Lib Dem party is a a viable alternative to Labour and Conservative, purely because of him.
Right now he is a shining light in British politics. He had the courage of his convictions and spoke out against Gordon Brown attending the opening ceremony in Beijing and attending the ceremony Sunday.
WELL DONE NICK!
He said in the letter, (some quotes here from his letter published now on the BBC web site), "I understand that on Sunday you will welcome the Olympic torch to London”.
"I urge you to reconsider your participation in this event and indeed any future events to mark the Beijing Games, including the opening ceremony on the 8 August”.
"Recent events in Tibet, broken promises over media freedoms, ongoing human rights abuses and intransigence over the humanitarian catastrophe in Darfur demand a response”.
"Serious concerns cannot be swept under the carpet for the sake of ceremonial duties."
GOOD ON YOU NICK!!
In the letter, Mr Clegg said Mr Brown must "take a stand for human rights". He continued by saying the prime minister could not attend the event in Beijing "in good conscience", given the country's crackdown on protests in Tibet.
If only more politicians, more athletes, would take a stand. Are human rights of so little importance? Is the suffering of the Tibetan people such a trivial matter? Doesn’t the persecution and denial of religious freedom count for something? (Tibetan students and government employees are NOT allowed to attend religious festivals and events).
I can only hope Nick Clegg shames others into taking some sort of stance against the Chinese tyranny.
Right now he is a shining light in British politics. He had the courage of his convictions and spoke out against Gordon Brown attending the opening ceremony in Beijing and attending the ceremony Sunday.
WELL DONE NICK!
He said in the letter, (some quotes here from his letter published now on the BBC web site), "I understand that on Sunday you will welcome the Olympic torch to London”.
"I urge you to reconsider your participation in this event and indeed any future events to mark the Beijing Games, including the opening ceremony on the 8 August”.
"Recent events in Tibet, broken promises over media freedoms, ongoing human rights abuses and intransigence over the humanitarian catastrophe in Darfur demand a response”.
"Serious concerns cannot be swept under the carpet for the sake of ceremonial duties."
GOOD ON YOU NICK!!
In the letter, Mr Clegg said Mr Brown must "take a stand for human rights". He continued by saying the prime minister could not attend the event in Beijing "in good conscience", given the country's crackdown on protests in Tibet.
If only more politicians, more athletes, would take a stand. Are human rights of so little importance? Is the suffering of the Tibetan people such a trivial matter? Doesn’t the persecution and denial of religious freedom count for something? (Tibetan students and government employees are NOT allowed to attend religious festivals and events).
I can only hope Nick Clegg shames others into taking some sort of stance against the Chinese tyranny.
The Chinese Ambassador has had a change of mind too, (I refuse to use the phrase "a change of heart" because she is a representative, and by definition, a supporter, of government politics back home), and WILL attend the flame ceremony on Sunday. Hope ir pours with rain.
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