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Spielberg Sparks Storm Over China's Darfur Role

Pressure mounts for pre-Olympics change

By Zach Samalin,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 14, 2008 4:28 AM CST
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(Newser) – Human rights groups praised Hollywood's Steven Spielberg yesterday for stepping down as artistic director of the Beijing Olympics due to China's ongoing support for the Sudanese regime. His move has opened the floodgates to a deluge of criticism over China's involvement in Darfur, giving the Chinese government a taste of what's likely to come during this summer's games, the Guardian reports.

Human Rights Watch called for Olympic corporate sponsors "to use their considerable leverage" to pressure China to "uphold the human rights pledges it made to bring the games to Beijing," claiming companies who don't take action "put their reputations at risk." Following Spielberg's lead, some athletes have already vowed to speak out against their host, which China is eager to avoid.

Hollywood director Steven Spielberg, right, tours the construction site of Beijing's National Stadium with Chinese film maker Zhang Yimou, center, and Jiang Xiaoyu, executive vice president of the Beijing Olympics organizing committee, after a news conference announcing the creation team for the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2008 Olympic...
Hollywood director Steven Spielberg, right, tours the construction site of Beijing's National Stadium with Chinese film maker Zhang Yimou, center, and Jiang Xiaoyu, executive vice president of the Beijing...   (Associated Press)
Hollywood director Steven Spielberg, third from left, looks at a model of Beijing's National Stadium with Chinese film maker Zhang Yimou, second from left, and Jiang Xiaoyu, executive vice president of the Beijing Olympics organizing committee, left, after a news conference announcing the creation team for the opening and closing...
Hollywood director Steven Spielberg, third from left, looks at a model of Beijing's National Stadium with Chinese film maker Zhang Yimou, second from left, and Jiang Xiaoyu, executive vice president of...   (Associated Press)
Hollywood director Steven Spielberg speaks in front of the logo for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games during a news conference announcing the creation team for the opening and closing ceremonies of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing April 16, 2006. Rights groups on Wednesday Feb 13, 2008 praised Hollywood...
Hollywood director Steven Spielberg speaks in front of the logo for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games during a news conference announcing the creation team for the opening and closing ceremonies of the Beijing...   (Associated Press)
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Darfur criticism erupts in wake of Spielberg departure
Associated Press

Spielberg withdrawal catches China off guard
Baltimore Sun

 
China • Steven Spielberg • human rights • 2008 Beijing Olympics • Crisis in Darfur • Human Rights Watch

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