In the afternoon of December 13, 2007, representatives of the Overseas Chinese Democracy Coalition (OCDC) from Hong Kong, USA, France, Germany, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Japan, Denmark and Thailand went to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) located at Lausanne in Switzerland. They handed seven letters addressed to the IOC to Miss Davies, the IOC's Communication Director. Mr. WEI Jingsheng, the Chairman of Overseas Chinese Democracy Coalition, said to the IOC official "It is completely IOC's responsibility to urge the Chinese Communist Government to keep its promise for human rights improvement".

Those 7 letters were dated between February 2006 and November 2007 and were initiated by the Overseas Chinese Democracy Coalition and All-China Alliance for Protecting Human Rights and Opposing Violence in China. Both organizations were entrusted and thus acted on behalf of over 11,000 ordinary Chinese citizens, over 2,500 people inside and outside China, and over 50 organizations. In the letters, organizations and individuals have all appealed to the IOC to truly play its role in urging the Chinese Communist Government to keep its promise for human rights improvement. The message from the Chinese people was "we want human rights but not Olympic Games".

The Olympic Official: "If You Stop Filming and Taking Pictures, We Can Sit Down and Talk for 5 Minutes"

When the representatives arrived at the IOC building, staff from Swiss Television and other media who had been waiting there filmed and took pictures of them and Miss Davies who was asked to come to meet them.

First of all, Mr. Wei said to Miss Davies that on behalf of the people who trusted them, they would like to hand letters to the IOC's Chairman Mr. Rogge. The request was not fulfilled; however, Miss Davies agreed to pass on their message.

Mr. Wei said, "We come to hand these letters on behalf of ordinary people inside China because the Chinese Communist Government promised to improve human rights when they applied to host the Olympic Games. However, until now the human rights situation in China has not improved; rather it has deteriorated. In addition, the Chinese Government promised, earlier this year, to be open to foreign journalists and allow media freedom. But, according to evidence that we obtained, they have been arresting journalists, restricting their interviews and coverage. Therefore, journalists, intellectuals, workers, peasants and other individuals inside China asked us to contact the IOC on their behalf and ask Mr. Rogge to openly urge the Chinese Communist Government respect human rights. Miss Davies replied, "Thank you. Welcome you to be here." She then immediately said to the news media people around "If you stop filming and taking pictures, we can sit down and talk for 5 minutes". After negotiating with the media, Mr. Wei and Miss Davies started their conversation.

Mr. Wei and Miss Davies talking before the meeting

Wei Jingsheng: "I Think the IOC Has Responsibility to Wash Itself Clean"

During the meeting, Mr. Wei said, "Perhaps you do not know what a disaster has been brought to the Chinese people by running the Olympic Games. Therefore, we have brought these letters to show you. Among the 7 letters, there is a letter signed by over 11,000 Chinese people. In fact, more than those Chinese people have asked us to pass on this message.

We trust that the IOC may have done a lot of work in this area (urging the Chinese Communist Government keep its promises). However, what the Chinese Communist Government has done is not the same as it has promised. Right on yesterday, we received information that Mr. YU ChangWu, one of the representatives of the Helongjiang human rights movement who was involved in collecting signatures from those (over 11,000) people, was arrested. We believe that urging the Chinese Communist Government to keep its promises for improvement of human rights in China is the IOC's responsibility. If the Government had not made the promises to you it would not be your responsibility.

Media interview of Wei Jingsheng at the IOC

Do you know that the Chinese Government has been spreading, in private, information about bribing the IOC? In fact, over 10 years ago when I was still in China's prison, officials there told me how much the Chinese Communist Government spent on buying the IOC. We think the IOC has an obligation to clear itself. We hope Mr. Rogge can hold a meeting in public to explain to everyone what the IOC has done and what are the responses from China. To do so would be good for the IOC, because Chinese people are currently criticizing not only the Chinese Communist Government but also the IOC. In addition, we have heard criticism against the IOC from countries such as US, UK, France, etc."

Some of the OCDC representatives talking to IOC staff

"The IOC Only Cares about "Olympic Games""

During the meeting, Miss Davies said, "We have met many NGOs including AI and Reporters Without Borders. We never publish those documents (delivered by them). This meeting is important. It is also an opportunity for you to know our mission and responsibilities.

We allow discussions outside the Olympic Games. It is a natural process of the IOC's preparation for the Games. We hope the Olympic Games can spotlight China. The organizer of the (Beijing) Games has made it clear there will be no restriction on journalists. They also changed their law related to this. Clearly how to implement the policy is a challenge for them. Overall, the Olympic Games will bring a positive development to China. Please note that it is important that the IOC does not pressurize any country. We will respond to your letters."

Some of the OCDC representatives inside of IOC

Davies: "Which Is Better Off for Chinese People, to Run or Not Run the Games?"

Miss Davies asked Mr. Wei, "I have a question, which is better off for Chinese people to run or not to run the Olympic Games?" Mr. Wei replied, "It is only good for a small group of people who are corrupt and grasp personal benefits. Several years ago, the majority of Chinese people considered the Olympic Games as a good thing. However, because the Chinese Communist Government has vastly damaged the interests of Chinese people during the preparation of the Games, right now not only the poor Chinese but also the middle class is against them. People are against it, including taxi drivers."

Before leaving the IOC building, Ms. HUANG Ciping, General Secretary of Overseas Chinese Democracy Coalition, suggested again to Miss Davies that IOC hold a press conference to clarify the IOC's position, otherwise the Chinese people would link China's corruption to the Olympic Games. Miss Davies replied, "It is your interpretation." Ms. Huang said, "No, it is the Chinese people's interpretation." Miss Davies said, "We do not hold such public events. We only look after the Olympic Games."

During the meeting, Mr. Wei pointed out to Miss Davies, some of the 7 letters were sent by certified mail that had received confirmation of delivery to the IOC already; but, they never received any response or acknowledgement from the IOC. Therefore, "We hand them to you again at this time." Miss Davies replied, "We have never received them or they must have been lost."