Sports personalities to send signed petition to President Hu Jintao

Saturday, 31 May 2008 , 11:46 a.m.

Dharamshala: The International Campaign for Tibet in Germany has initiated a campaign involving sports personalities signing a petition under the rubric of Sports for Peace.

The petition will be later forwarded to the Chinese President Hu Jintao.

The petition appeals to President Hu to work for a peaceful solution to the issue of Tibet and protect freedom of expression, freedom of religion and freedom of opinion in China, including Tibet.

It has been so far signed by Björn Bach (Canoe), Yvonne Bönisch (Judo), Imke Duplitzer (Fencing), Helke Claasen (Beachvolleyball), Martina Glagow (Biathlon), Michael Groß (Swimmer), Dagmar Hase (Swimmer), Florian Hut (Beachvolleyball), Sebastian Köber (Boxer), Jens Kuppa (Swimmer), Sven Ottke (Boxer), Christian Reif (Track and Field), Ulla Salzgeber (Dressage Rider), Kjell Schneider (Beachvolleyball), Thomas Schmidt (Kayak), Heide Schüller (Track and Field), Melanie Seeger (Track and Field), Stev Theloke (Swimmer), Sandra Völker (Swimmer).

The petition says, "We all hope that the Olympic Summer Games in China will be a great success and that the Olympic ideals will come to life.

That is why we are asking you:

1. to enable a peaceful solution for the issue of Tibet and other conflicts in your country with respect to fundamental principles of human rights.

2. to protect freedom of expression, freedom of religion and freedom of opinion in your country, including Tibet.

3. to ensure that human rights defenders are no longer intimidated or imprisoned.

4. to stop the death penalty.

China is in the focus of worldwide attention. Your decision on these issues will decide about the success of the Olympic Games and the image the world will have of China in the future.

We are asking you to respect human rights in China in order to achieve lasting peace and reconciliation."

--Based on report filed by Mr Bhuchung K. Tsering