Sen. Jeff Merkley slammed United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres’ decision to attend the upcoming Winter Olympics in Beijing despite diplomatic boycotts by multiple nations, including the U.S.
Sen. Jeff Merkley on Wednesday slammed United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres’ decision to attend the upcoming Winter Olympics in Beijing despite diplomatic boycotts by multiple nations, including the U.S., over accusations of human rights violations by the Chinese government.
“The U.N. has basically failed human rights,” Merkley said in an interview with POLITICO, citing China’s record on abuse, surveillance and freedom of speech. “It’s shameful for António Guterres to appear at the games.” In response to Merkley's criticism, a spokesperson for Guterres said that the secretary-general hopes to meet with high-level diplomats in China after the Olympics.
"The secretary-general considers the Olympic Games as an important expression of unity, mutual respect and cooperation between different cultures, religions and ethnicities," deputy press secretary for the secretary-general Farhan Haq said to POLITICO in an email.
The secretary-general was asked last month about attending the Olympics, which he said must be considered an “instrument for peace.”