Kiri

Vilnius, 20 December 2021 Official Statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania informs the EU countries that Lithuania has decided to boycott the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games and has introduced a ban on the participation of its athletes in the competitions. Taking into account genocide against the Uyghur people in Xinjiang committed by China, as well as the numerous violations of human rights, the EU member countries should support our initiative. We believe that only a joint position can protect sport from being used by an authoritarian regime as a political tool. Based on the principle of European solidarity in the fight against authoritarian rule, we demand that athletes from the national teams of the EU be prevented from participating in the Olympic and Paralympic Games in China. Sincerely, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Gabrielius Landsbergis