(Clearwisdom.net) China's deteriorating human rights record drew the attention of international society when the 60th session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR) was held in Geneva. However, Jiang's regime played the same old trick again and tried to avoid the condemnation of international society by placating other countries with economic gains and exercising political pressure. The Students' Administrative Council of the University of Toronto, on behalf of 43,000 undergraduates, wrote to the Canadian Prime Minister to request his open call at the United Nations for the end of the persecution against Falun Gong and for passing the resolution to condemn China's human rights. The letter also requested the Prime Minister's support of the legal initiative being put forward by Professor Kunlun Zhang and his legal counsel against Jiang Zemin and other leaders responsible for the persecution against Falun Gong.

The letter is as follows:

March 31, 2004

Re: Your support for Falun Gong and Human Rights

Dear Prime Minister,

It is sincerely appreciated that our government has shown support over the past four years to speak out against the persecution of Falun Gong in China and help rescue their persecuted family members imprisoned in China. Yet, disregarding worldwide condemnation and under the will of former Chairman Jiang Zemin, the Chinese regime has not only intensified the persecution in China but also extended the persecution to Canada. We hereby ask that you continue taking every opportunity to urge China to stop the persecution. In particular, we hope that Canada will take just action to support the following current efforts of Falun Gong practitioners:

  • First, your support of the legal initiative being put forward by Professor Kunlun Zhang and his legal counsels is requested to launch a private prosecution of those individuals involved in Prof. Zhang's mental and physical torture in China. Reflecting Canada's commitment to upholding justice and ending torture, impunity, and persecution, we hope that you will encourage the Hon. Irwin Cotler, Attorney General of Canada, to give his consent for this prosecution.
  • Second, during the 60th session of the UNCHR being held from March 15 until April 23, we hope that Canada will speak out on the Falun Gong issues at the UN and co-sponsor the US resolution on China introduced recently.
  • Further, we draw your attention to the malicious activities being carried out by Chinese officials in Canada to persecute and incite hatred against Falun Gong in Canada, as reported on March 20 in the National Post, "Falun Gong persecution spreads to Canada." (Attached) We urge you to take all possible measures to effectively stop these destructive acts that severely harm Canadian society. Canadians seek and will respect your firm and upright efforts to protect their basic rights and freedom.

The persecution of Falun Gong practitioners and the suppression of their moral and spiritual belief of "Truth-Compassion-Forbearance" ordered by Jiang Zemin, former head of state of the People's Republic of China, has escalated for over four years. This systematic eradication of Falun Gong through hate incitement, economic devastation, torture, and killing constitutes serious crimes against humanity and conscience.

With a leadership in China and over ten lawsuits filed worldwide against former Chinese Chairman Jiang Zemin and other leaders of the persecution for torture, genocide, and other crimes against humanity, we believe that now is the critical time and opportunity to aid China toward sound and just policies and good governance that is solidly grounded upon a respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. Canada has a moral and diplomatic responsibility to help in influence constructive change and decision-making in China, for the future betterment of both Chinese society and Canadian partnerships with China, and for stability and prosperity for all.

As the largest university student union in Canada that represents over 43,000 full-time undergraduates at University of Toronto, we respectfully ask that you speak out broadly, publicly, and nobly, on behalf of the people of Canada, to bring about an end to the persecution, help stop the hate inciting activities against Falun Gong in Canada by the Chinese Embassy/Consulate, support efforts to bring the perpetrators to justice, and seek the release of all Falun Dafa practitioners in China. This is very important for Canada as to continue to be a country that respect and protect human rights and freedom of belief in the international community and continue to be an open and free society with multiculturalism principle that provides a safe and peaceful home for people from a variety of cultural, social and religious backgrounds and protect Canadians' freedom of belief and human rights. We thank you for your kind attention and look forward to your sound and just reply.

Sincerely,

Dylan Rae

Vice-President Student Life

Students' Administrative Council, University of Toronto

CC: Minister of Foreign Affairs Hon. Bill Graham

Category: Voices of Support Worldwide