By Alex Christodoulides
Avella announced last week that he is also asking corporations headquartered or doing business in New York City to review their financial dealings with China to ensure compliance with international human rights standards and withdraw their sponsorship or support of the 2008 Olympic Games.China, which has occupied Tibet for almost 50 years, cracked down on “free Tibet” protests that erupted recently in that region, restricting Internet and media access.”Governments and international human rights groups throughout the world recognize Tibet as an occupied country and one where repeated human rights abuses have continued since the Chinese government first occupied this small country in 1949,” Avella said.”Events of the past week have shown that the Chinese government, despite its statements to the contrary, has not changed its fundamental policies in its occupation of this country, including conduct such as large-scale house-to-house arrests by Chinese military forces of Tibetans who are suspected of participating in the recent 'free Tibet' demonstrations,” he said.Avella said he would seek an immediate hearing on this resolution in the City Council in light of the current protests in Tibet and rapidly approaching Summer Olympic Games.”Given the fact that foreign press and tourists are being told to leave the country, it is virtually impossible to know what is truly going on in Tibet as the Chinese government attempts to put an end to recent protests,” the councilman said. “The Chinese government should not be honored as a host nation for the Olympic games when it continues its occupation and oppression of Tibet and repeatedly fails to comply with international human rights standards.”
