HRW: Olympics harm China human rights

BEIJING, Aug. 6 (UPI) -- Human Rights Watch says China will inaugurate the Olympic Games Friday under a cloud of major human rights violations.

The New York group said Wednesday these abuses are directly linked to China's preparations for the Games.

Violations such as those of rights of free expression and association as well as media freedom surged as the Games' inauguration day drew near, the report said.

"In addition, abuses of migrant construction workers who were pivotal to Beijing's infrastructure improvements have increased, as have evictions of Beijing residents whose homes were demolished to make way for that infrastructure," Human Rights Watch said.

"Those abuses reflect both the Chinese government's wholesale failure to honor its Olympics-related human rights promises, as well as the negligence of the International Olympic Committee in ensuring that China fulfills its commitments."

Human Rights Watch's Asia Director Sophie Richardson said the Chinese government and the IOC had seven years to ensure these human rights are advanced.

"Instead, the Beijing Games have prompted a rollback in some of the most basic rights enshrined in China's constitution and international law," she said.