Source: www.csw.org.uk
Date: February 12, 2022
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you. (Psalm 89:14)
As the eyes of the world are on Beijing for the 2022 Winter Olympics, join us in praying that what is highlighted above all else is the need to take action for justice in China.
The Games are taking place amid the intense repression of fundamental freedoms, including in the Uyghur Region, Tibet and Hong Kong – and even the very city where the Games are being held.
Our Founder President Mervyn Thomas said, ‘This is not a moment for celebration but a time for outrage and action in the face of these violations.’
Calls to boycott the Games
The week before the opening ceremony, CSW joined over 240 organisations in signing a statement urging governments to boycott the Games in light of widespread human rights violations. These violations have been well documented since well before the Chinese government was awarded the Games in 2015.
We think particularly of the millions of Uyghurs and other Turkic groups who have been subjected to arbitrary detention, torture and forced labour in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. We also remember Christian human rights lawyer Gao Zhisheng, who was forcibly disappeared in 2017.
Please join us in praying for all individuals and communities who have been targeted, including Tibetans, ethnic minorities, believers from all independent faith groups, human rights defenders, journalists, feminists and more.
In summary, please pray:
- For governments and corporate sponsors to take robust action to stand with human rights defenders, victims and survivors.
- For spectators around the world to educate themselves about the human rights situation in China and feel stirred to take action.
- Giving thanks for the courage of those who speak out for freedom and justice in China, while praying for their protection.