Sydney Practitioner Writes to Prime Minister John Howard of Australia

Honourable Prime Minister,

Thank you for your recent letter of 30 August 2002 regarding China's treatment of Falun Dafa practitioners.

For most families, New Year's Day is a day of family gatherings to celebrate the New Year. For my dear friend Esther, who I've known for about five years, this is another day of heartbreak. She fainted when she heard the horrific news that her only sister and brother-in-law were arrested in China. Just one year ago, her mother was arrested and sentenced to three years in a forced labour camp, and thrown into a prison with over ten thousand inmates. Esther also lost her father to a stroke in May 2000.

With daily news of Chinese Falun Dafa practitioners being tortured to death simply for not abandoning their belief in Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance, I can see that Esther is really worried. I can only imagine the agony of checking through the Falun Dafa websites, hoping not to see her family's name appearing on the increasing list of those persecuted to death in custody.

Amidst the tragedy, Esther continues to actively participate in peaceful appeal activities in Australia to stop the persecution of Falun Dafa practitioners in China. Even with a smile on her face, I know she is crying inside. I feel proud to have such a friend.

Another friend of mine, Jane, I met three years ago when she was pregnant with her daughter. Jane found out about her loving husband's tragic death from a Falun Dafa website and her hair turned grey overnight. Jane and her two-year-old daughter are appealing tirelessly around the world, despite their sadness, with the hope that her story is not repeated for other mothers and children. Recently, she told me that whenever she tells her story, it is like a knife going through her heart. Yet, she continues her efforts and has received great support and sympathy from the world's people, media and governments. Her strength encourages me.

My family migrated to Australia 20 years ago from the PRC. Our whole family was persecuted during the Cultural Revolution, simply because my dad went to a Christian school when he was young and my grandparents were living overseas. My dad was separated from us at that time and I was about 5 years old. My sisters were discriminated against at school, and although my parents had established careers and lots of friends in China, they decided to leave China for our benefit.

Now, my whole family has been practising Falun Dafa for more than five years and we all enjoy health and harmony due to Falun Dafa. I have a loving husband, a happy five-year old son, healthy parents of ages 67 and 73, and two sisters. Through embodying Falun Dafa's principles, Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, in everything we do, all of us have become very healthy and haven't seen a doctor (except when giving birth) for the past five years. Eight years ago my dad suffered angina and asthma and he carried four sorts of inhalers with him all the time. After practising Falun Dafa for about a year, his sickness left him. Yet, if we were in China now, I can't imagine what would be happening to my family.

There are at least 15 relatives from 11 different Australian families currently jailed and suffering in China. Their details are attached. When I read their stories, I can't help crying. I feel guilty that I haven't cared enough about them earlier, my fellow practitioners, as they have suffered so much. I believe that through the goodwill of the Australian public and the efforts of members of the Australian Government, these families will enjoy a freedom that is rightfully theirs, a freedom granted by the Chinese constitution.

Falun Dafa practitioners in China refuse to renounce their belief in Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance. What kind of future could there be in China if these principles cease to be valued?

It has come to my attention that this month you will meet the president of the PRC in Mexico. I ask you to please urge him to release these relatives of Australian citizens and residents. Through your action of upholding justice, millions of people who are oppressed in China will be greatly encouraged.

It would be greatly appreciated if I could have a 15-minute appointment with you to express my concern on this issue before the APEC meeting. If it is more convenient for you in Canberra, I don't mind a trip down there.

I thank you for your time and consideration and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

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Yours Most Sincerely,