8216;China used Olympics as a catalyst for human rights abuses8217;

8220;The reality is that the Chinese government8217;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,8221; said Asia advocacy director of HRW Sophie Richardson.

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

8220;The Chinese government8217;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 IOC to establish a permanent mechanism to monitor the human rights performance and compliance of future Olympic host countries.8221;

8220;Not a single world leader who attended the Games or members of the IOC seized the opportunity to challenge the Chinese government8217;s behaviour in any meaningful way,8221; Sophie added.