According to experts and Western parliaments, what is happening in the Chinese region of Xinjiang is a crime against humanity.

Some even speak of genocide.

Despite the monstrosity of the allegations, global public interest has recently waned because China is effectively restricting access to information from Xinjiang.

Activists now want to use the Olympic Winter Games in China to once again draw attention to the brutal crackdown on minorities.

They are calling for a boycott.

But it won't come to that.

No country has an interest in preventing its athletes from participating in competitions.

Even the discussion about a diplomatic boycott has subsided since the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke in June of a "joint approach" by America and its allies.

Many Western heads of state and government are likely to use the pandemic as an excuse to refuse the invitation to Beijing without giving political reasons for their absence.

A handful of willing top politicians are enough for Chinese President Xi Jinping to present themselves as a statesman in front of his own audience.

At every major Chinese event, there were European heads of state and government who were lured by Beijing's siren song.

Criticism rolls off Beijing

China's appeals not to politicize the Olympics are hypocritical.

Xi Jinping will not miss the opportunity to use the opening ceremony for a show of strength.

It can be assumed that the situation of the Uyghurs will also be nicely colored.

Those who take part in the celebration give legitimation to the propaganda show.

Meanwhile, Beijing is letting the criticism of its human rights record roll off itself.

In relation to its own population, it is stylized as proof that the West does not allow China to rise.

The reform and opening-up policy that characterized the 2008 Summer Games has been replaced by a wagon-castle mentality.

The activists' call for boycotts against the Olympic sponsors remains the most effective lever to build up pressure.

Western brand companies are increasingly caught between the fronts of a public critical of China in Europe and America and the temptations of the Chinese market.

US import bans are increasingly causing stomach ache for companies in Xinjiang.

The situation of the Uyghurs has not improved as a result.

It is to be feared that the Olympic Games will not change that either.

The 2008 Summer Games focused on the oppression of Tibetans around the world.

Their situation has not improved since then either.

On the contrary.