Flanders will not send ministers or officials to the Winter Olympics in China and the World Cup in Qatar, Minister-President Jan Jambon (N-VA) told the northern regional parliament on Tuesday.
Jambon explained the decision as an expression of the Flemish Government's opposition to the human rights policies of the two countries, Belga News Agency Reports.
“An essential condition for being able to discuss these issues with a third country is that you are always 'on good terms',” he said.
Related News
- Belgian sailor Emma Plasschaert becomes world champion for the second time
- Belgians attach great importance to the Paralympic Games, but not much funding
“We are not in favour of a complete breakdown of all possible consultation platforms with these countries. However, taking a stand at moments of international attention is completely different and seems legitimate to me.”
Jambon said he believes that sport should not be politicised, but that in future, he would like to see more attention paid to the human rights situation in the host countries.
