In the run-up to the 2008 Olympic Games in Bejing Amnesty International (AI) conducted a campaign to urge the Chinese authorities to keep their promise to improve the human rights situation in China, especially in the areas of death penalty, fair trial and prevention of torture and ill-treatment, protection of human rights defenders and freedom of expression and information.

The 2008 Summer Olympics took place from 8-24 August 2008 in Beijing, China. Amnesty International believed China's hosting of the Olympics provided it with a unique opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to human rights. Amnesty considered it to be their role to make sure that this opportunity did not pass by without notice, action and sustained improvements.

When China was bidding for and awarded the Olympics, the Chinese authorities stated that the Beijing Olympics will help the development of human rights in China. We need to draw attention to these promises - which have also been echoed by the International Olympic Committee, and hold the Chinese authorities to account on them.

In order for China to live up to its promises to improve human rights, the Chinese authorities should:

• Put in place measures to significantly reduce the use of the death penalty as steps towards full abolition of the death penalty in China,
• Take concrete steps to bring all forms of detention in China into line with international human rights law and standards, including measures to uphold the rights to fair trial and prevent torture,
• Ensure that human rights defenders are free to carry out their peaceful activities in line with the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders and
• End all censorship of the Internet in China which constitutes a violation of the fundamental human rights to freedom of expression and information.

On Sunday the 3rd of February 2008, yoga teachers and schools around the world donated their time and space to a two hour yoga session devoted to human rights.

The class was held from 11AM - 1PM sharp, local time in each time zone, leading to a 24 hour yoga marathon around the world. Devoting our thoughts and energy globally to the human rights issue will generate a powerful impact.

Students attending the event donated whatever tuition they could afford. All contributions were welcome - the money is important to help victims of human right violation but so is the spirit.