The World Association of Newspapers today called on all of next summer's Beijing Olympics participants, including the International Olympic Committee, athletes, sponsors and others, to “exert serious pressure” on the Chinese government to stick to its promises of reform.

As WAN issued its resolution, at least 30 journalists and cyber dissidents remained in prison in China and the country's media continue to remain under government control.

Last week reports surfaced that Olympic organisers are building a database on foreign journalists, but the Chinese government is denying plans to suppress media.

“The WAN Board believes the end of 'business as usual' in China is necessary to effect belated and needed reform, and it encourages all partners in the Games, and all companies doing business with China, to speak out about China's human rights abuses,” stated the resolution, which is part of a global campaign by WAN to draw attention to Chinese press abuses and help free jailed journalists in the run up to the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.

Although the Olympics in Beijing will “be a showcase for China,” the events “should not be allowed to take place without active opposition by participants – the IOC, athletes, sponsors media partners and others – to the repressive conditions that surround the Games. Turning a blind eye to these violations of human rights would be a scandal,” the WAN stated.

Among journalists jailed in China is Shi Tao, the laureate of the WAN Golden Pen of Freedom. He is charged with leaking state secrets for writing an e-mail in 2004 about media restrictions in the lead up to the 15th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre. Tao is serving a 10-year prison sentence. Yahoo provided Chinese security authorities with details about Tao's e-mail usage that allowed them to trace the message to a computer he used at a newspaper.

WAN's resolution applauded U.S. lawmakers for their condemnation of Yahoo's actions.

The full resolution can be read by clicking here.