Spielberg boycotts Olympic role

U.S. film director Steven Spielberg has withdrawn as an artistic adviser to the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. In a statement, he accused China of not doing enough to pressure its ally Sudan to end the "continuing human suffering" in the troubled western Darfur region. Spielberg boycotts Olympic role At least 200,000 people have been killed and two million forced from their homes in the five-year conflict. Human Rights Watch welcomed Spielberg's move, and said it should prompt other corporate sponsors to press for reform. In a statement, Spielberg said: "I find that my conscience will not allow me to continue business as usual. "At this point, my time and energy must be spent not on Olympic ceremonies, but on doing all I can to help bring an end to the unspeakable crimes against humanity that continue to be committed in Darfur." He added: "Sudan's government bears the bulk of the responsibility for these on-going crimes, but the international community, and particularly China, should be doing more." The International Olympic Committee said the decision was a personal one made by Spielburg. "The IOC recognise Darfur is a highly complex issue, with tragic circumstances, but is a matter for the UN to resolve," the committee said in a statement. "Repression rising" Sudan, with its vast oil reserves, sells some two-thirds of its oil to Beijing. In turn, Beijing sells weapons to the Sudanese government and has defended Khartoum in the UN Security Council. As a result, China has been criticized for its links with a government ostracized by many for its role in the ongoing crisis in Darfur. Human Rights Watch said corporate sponsors, governments and National Olympic Committees should urge Beijing to improve human rights conditions. Minky Worden said: "Repression in China is on the rise, and Olympic sponsors, governments, or world leaders - especially those planning to attend the Games - can't pretend otherwise. "These influential players should be prepared to show the steps they are taking to address the worsening rights climate in China, or they risk being tarnished by a human rights debacle." "Tremendous potential" Earlier on Tuesday, as part of a "Global Day of Action" focusing on Darfur, an open letter signed by Nobel Peace Prize laureates and former Olympians was sent to China's president. "We are all aware of the tremendous potential for China to help bring an end to the conflict in Darfur," said the letter, delivered to the Chinese mission to the United Nations by actress Mia Farrow and former Olympic swimmers Shannon Shakespeare and Nikki Dryden. Farrow, who had pressed Spielberg to end his involvement, said his decision sent out the right signal to the Chinese Government. She said: "I'm delighted by his decision and it's a desperate time for Darfur so this is a shred of good news in a very bleak week. "Through his participation with the games it was clear that he was giving his moral cover to Beijing at a time when they're underwriting genocide in Darfur. So I hoped that he would discontinue his participation with the games."

Spielberg boycotts Olympic role

At least 200,000 people have been killed and two million forced from their homes in the five-year conflict.

Human Rights Watch welcomed Spielberg's move, and said it should prompt other corporate sponsors to press for reform.

In a statement, Spielberg said: "I find that my conscience will not allow me to continue business as usual.

"At this point, my time and energy must be spent not on Olympic ceremonies, but on doing all I can to help bring an end to the unspeakable crimes against humanity that continue to be committed in Darfur."

He added: "Sudan's government bears the bulk of the responsibility for these on-going crimes, but the international community, and particularly China, should be doing more."

The International Olympic Committee said the decision was a personal one made by Spielburg.

"The IOC recognise Darfur is a highly complex issue, with tragic circumstances, but is a matter for the UN to resolve," the committee said in a statement.

"Repression rising"

Sudan, with its vast oil reserves, sells some two-thirds of its oil to Beijing.

In turn, Beijing sells weapons to the Sudanese government and has defended Khartoum in the UN Security Council.

As a result, China has been criticized for its links with a government ostracized by many for its role in the ongoing crisis in Darfur.

Human Rights Watch said corporate sponsors, governments and National Olympic Committees should urge Beijing to improve human rights conditions.

Minky Worden said: "Repression in China is on the rise, and Olympic sponsors, governments, or world leaders - especially those planning to attend the Games - can't pretend otherwise.

"These influential players should be prepared to show the steps they are taking to address the worsening rights climate in China, or they risk being tarnished by a human rights debacle."

"Tremendous potential"

Earlier on Tuesday, as part of a "Global Day of Action" focusing on Darfur, an open letter signed by Nobel Peace Prize laureates and former Olympians was sent to China's president.

"We are all aware of the tremendous potential for China to help bring an end to the conflict in Darfur," said the letter, delivered to the Chinese mission to the United Nations by actress Mia Farrow and former Olympic swimmers Shannon Shakespeare and Nikki Dryden.

Farrow, who had pressed Spielberg to end his involvement, said his decision sent out the right signal to the Chinese Government.

She said: "I'm delighted by his decision and it's a desperate time for Darfur so this is a shred of good news in a very bleak week.

"Through his participation with the games it was clear that he was giving his moral cover to Beijing at a time when they're underwriting genocide in Darfur. So I hoped that he would discontinue his participation with the games."