Washington, March 16: American actor Richard Gere has criticised China for its recent bloody Himalayan protest and has again urged the world to boycott the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
The ‘Pretty Woman’ star, who had turned into a Tibet activist, was horrified at the bloody turn of events at the Himalayan protest of Chinese rule in Tibet which took place on Friday 14Mar08.
Gere has slammed China for its bloody retaliation against the protestors, which has left at least 10 people dead when firearms were used against them.
Gere, who is chairman of the International Campaign for Tibet and a devout Buddhist, has insisted that there "absolutely" should be a worldwide boycott of the sporting event in August (08) to force China to allow the Himalayan region to decide its own future.
The 58-year-old has been barred from visiting China after he showed his support for Tibet, and in 1993 even spoke out about the plight of the Himalayan region at the Academy Awards.
"In this situation if the Chinese do not act in the proper way, change their ways, acknowledge what is going on, allow free access to communication, then I think that absolutely we have to boycott,” Contactmusic quoted him as saying.
"It would be unconscionable if we continued as if things are hunky dory and everyone's happy. It's impossible.
"Tibetans have been much marginalised in recent years, much more than before. And that's why you see this pressure cooker effect in Tibet where religion has essentially been outlawed, where pictures of the Dalai Lama, who is essentially their Jesus Christ, are not allowed," he added.
Bureau Report
