China: Olympic Medal Presenters Face Discrimination on Looks

The Beijing Olympics Committee should condemn discrimination rather than reinforce harmful stereotypes and unfair hiring practices, Human Rights Watch said in a letter to the committee today.

The letter followed comments from the committee's spokesperson that medal presenters should be tall, thin and attractive young women. Human Rights Watch noted that such eligibility requirements for these prestigious jobs were discriminatory.

They violate China's obligations regarding nondiscrimination and perpetuate harmful gender stereotypes that undermine China's obligations as a party to the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).

ENDS

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