Friends of Canada-India protest against Beijing Winter Olympics in Vancouver

Former US secretary of state Mike Pompeo also joined growing calls for a boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics scheduled for next year.

Friends of Canada-India on Sunday held a demonstration in front of the Vancouver Convention Centre against the Beijing Winter Olympics over human rights issues in China. The protesters also demanded the restoration of Hong Kong’s greater autonomy curbed by China’s implementation of the draconian national security law in the global financial hub. They held banners which read ‘Free Hong Kong’, ‘Fight for freedom’, ‘Stand with HK’.

The held banners which read ‘Free Hong Kong’, ‘Fight for freedom’, ‘Stand with HK’.

The organisers said the protest was a great success as people in large numbers gathered at the venue.

China has long been accused of violating human rights and stifling dissenting voices. It is also facing allegations of trying to hide the early data related to the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic. Former US secretary of state Mike Pompeo also joined growing calls for a boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics next year.

"The CCP has disappeared reporters writing about Wuhan virus, docs telling the truth about CCP labs, a prof tennis player, Uighurs, Hong Kongers & the head of Interpol. Let's disappear the Olympics from them and hold it in a place the world can be proud of. #BoycottBeijingOlympics," Pompeo tweeted.

A diplomatic boycott means the White House won’t be sending a delegation for the opening and closing ceremonies. The athletes, however, would attend the event.

Reports suggest that the United Kingdom is also actively discussing the possibility of not sending officials to the Beijing Winter Olympics.

(With agency inputs)