China used Olympics as a catalyst for human rights abuses: HRW

rights watchdog says that the Beijing Olympics has put an end, once and for all, to the notion that the games are a "force for good" as it has resulted in setting back the clock withregards to respect for human rights in China.

In a statement ahead of closing ceremony on Sunday, the Human Rights Watch (H.R.W.) says it has monitored and documented "extensive human rights violations" directly linkedto preparation and hosting of the games.

"The reality is that the Chinese government's hosting of the Games has been a catalyst for abuses, leading to massive forced evictions, a surge in the arrest, detention, and harassment of critics, repeated violations of media freedom and increased political repression," said Asiaadvocacy director of H.R.W. Sophie Richardson.

The Chinese government, Sophie said, has consistently violated its Olympics-related human rights commitments. In addition, the International Olympic Committee has failed toensure that the government fulfilled those pledges.

"The Chinese government's unrelenting campaign during the Games to squelch legal peaceful protests, limit media freedom, and restrict the internet access of journalists reinforces the urgent need for the I.O.C. to establish a permanent mechanism to monitor the human rights performance and compliance of future Olympic host countries." "Not a single world leader who attended the Games or members of the I.O.C. seized the opportunity to challenge the Chinese government's behaviour in any meaningful way," Sophieadded.