Olympic athletes urged by activists not to criticize China | AP News

GENEVA (AP) Athletes at the Beijing Olympics were urged by human rights activists Tuesday to avoid criticizing China because they could be prosecuted.

The International Olympic Committee has said athletes will have freedom of speech at next month s Winter Games when speaking to journalists or posting on social media. However, the Olympic Charter rule that prohibits political protests at medal ceremonies also requires applicable public law to be followed.

The IOC has not yet publicly committed to how athletes who speak out would be protected, activists said in a briefing hosted by Human Rights Watch.

Silence is complicity and that s why we have concerns, said Rob Koehler, the director general of the Global Athlete group. We know the human rights record and the allowance of freedom of expression in China, so there s really not much protection.

The IOC has not responded to requests in recent days to clarify how Chinese law could apply at the Beijing Games, which open on Feb. 4.

via apnews.com