August 31, 2000

Dear XX:

Thank you for phoning my office. I appreciate your comments on Falun Gong and understand you recently discussed this subject with Bill Goold of my staff.

I share your concerns regarding the Chinese government's treatment of the practitioners of Falun Gong. As you may know on July 21, 1999, the Chinese government outlawed Falun Gong, detained prisoners, and began to prosecute group leaders. This decision followed a silent protest that an estimated 10,000 to 30,000 practitioners participated in on April 25, 1999. There are reports that from 3,000 to 10,000 practitioners remain in custody. At least 25 adherents have died while in custody.

The House of Representatives passed a concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 218, that calls upon the Chinese government to stop persecuting Falun Gong practitioners. This Resolution is currently before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Although I am not a member of this Committee, I will certainly keep your views in mind, should it reach the floor of the Senate.

As you may know, I had the opportunity to travel to China during the August recess. During this visit, I raised my concerns regarding human rights abuses occurring in that country, including those abuses against Falun Gong practitioners.

Given your interests in human rights, I thought you might wish to know about my overall record on human rights issues.

I have worked consistently throughout my years in public service to further the goal of global human rights and have introduced, supported and co-sponsored many pieces of legislation to that end. One of my first Congressional pieces of legislation was an amendment to the Foreign Assistance Act Calling on the U.S. Government to take into account a county's record on human rights in any decision on granting foreign assistance. Most recently, I have championed a campaign to end abusive and exploitative child labor around the world. Rest assured that I will continue my efforts to promote the goal of global human rights.

Again, thanks for drawing this matter to my attention. I look forward to hearing from you again on this and other issues.

Sincerely,

Tom Harkin

United Sates Senator

Category: Voices of Support Worldwide