Pressure rises on China for press freedom

WASHINGTON, June 28 (UPI) -- Pressure is increasing on China to allow greater freedom of expression before it hosts the Summer Olympics next year.

Reporters Without Borders said Thursday that the Chinese authorities have made little progress in improving the human rights situation in the country, despite their promises to the contrary when they were awarded the games in 2001.

In a letter to the International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge, the Washington-based advocacy group said "it is not too late to get the Chinese organizers, who are for the most part also senior political officials, to release prisoners of conscience, reform repressive laws and end censorship.

"We expect firm action from you. It is time to say clearly to the Chinese authorities that the contempt with which they treat the international community is unacceptable," it added.

The group said that it will launch a global campaign to highlight the fact that 100 journalists and cyber-dissidents are imprisoned by the authorities.