(Clearwisdom.net) Mr. Lorne Nystrom, Member of Parliament wrote to the Prime Minister on April 24, 2002 and expressed his special concern about Jiang regime's continuing persecution of Falun Gong practitioners. Here is the text:
April 24, 2002
Right Honorable Jean Chretien
Prime Minister of Canada
309-S Centre Block
House of Commons
Ottawa ON K1A0A6
Dear Mr. Chretien,
I am writing to add my voice to those Canadians concerned by ongoing human rights violations in China, and most particularly the continuing persecution of practitioners of Falun Gong.
As you are probably aware, organizations like Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have confirmed the many terrible violations which have taken place. There are stories of arbitrary arrests and confinements, torture, unlawful process, long term incarceration without conviction of hearing, and penalties laid without due legal process. Frequently, the death penalty is applied.
I am sure that you agree that these types of human rights violations are completely unacceptable in any civilized society. I am writing to ask you to give our shared outrage a more practical expression.
I urge you to communicate Canada's concerns to the Chinese authorities, as well as to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights. The government of China must be made to understand that Canadians find their mistreatment of Falun Gong practitioners to be unacceptable.
Some have suggested that Canada's historic commitment to international human rights has waned in recent years. I urge you to speak out on this important matter, and to demonstrate the leadership on human rights that Canadians, and friends around the world have a right to expect.
Sincerely,
(Signature)
Lorne Nystrom, MP
Regina Qu'Appelle
