Guwahati: Voices against the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics are
increasing around the world and last week Enes Kanter, an NBA
athlete, called on the IOC to move the international sports
extravaganza, which has been labelled as the ‘Genocide Games’ by
people of conscience around the world.
“Kanter began taking human rights issues straight to the basketball
court, starting the season wearing custom sneakers with messaging
calling out Chinese President Xi Jinping as a tyrant who should not be
allowed to host the upcoming Winter Olympics,” said a statement issued
by Students for Free Tibet.
He has also called out Nike for their hypocrisy in using Uyghur forced
labour and has continued to show allyship and support for Tibetans,
Hong Kongers, Uyghurs, and all groups oppressed by the Chinese
Communist Party, added the statement. In various occasions, Kanter
has condemned China’s repression in Tibet and called for Tibet’s
independence.
“My message to the Chinese government is Free Tibet! Tibet belongs to
Tibetans. I’m here to add my voice and speak out about what is
happening in Tibet under the Chinese government’s brutal rule. Tibetan
people’s basic rights and freedoms are non-existent. They are not
allowed to study and learn their language and culture freely. The
Tibetan people are not even allowed to worship freely,” he asserted.
The day Kanter announced his support for the ‘No Beijing 2022’
campaign, he wore custom sneakers (running shoes) painted by artist
Khenzom Alling. The sneaker showcase bloodied hands on the front with
flags of the allied groups on the side and the words read ‘No Rights
No Games’.
“I was honored to paint his shoes and be a part of his ongoing efforts
to raise awareness of the Chinese government’s terrible crimes against
humanity, including the Uyghur genocide and brutal occupation of
Tibet. As a Tibetan, I am accustomed to the struggle of my people
being overlooked by mainstream media and public figures,” said
Khenzom.
Meanwhile, the Tibetan communities in Dharamsala (India) to the Uyghur
community in Washington DC, everyone appreciated Kanter’s courageous
act of challenging Xi Jinping. Lately the Tibetan Parliament in exile
released an official statement thanking Kanter for his solidarity
action.
“Enes Kanter is the epitome of a principled athlete. We hope that his
courageous act will inspire many others, especially the athlete
community, to speak up against the CCP’s draconian policies in Tibet,
East Turkestan, and Hong Kong,” stated the SFT, which is a global
grassroots network of students and activists working in solidarity
with the Tibetan people for human rights and freedom.
