Australia Senator's Letter

THE SENATE
PARLIAMENT OF AUSTRALIA
THE SENATE

SENATOR VICKI BOURNE
Senator for New South Wales
Australian Democrats Whip
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14th March 2000

Ms. Holly Wei
12/21 Ormond Street
Ashfield NSW 2131

Dear Ms Wei,

This letter is to confirm my support for the end of the ban on Falun Gong and for the Chinese Government to cease persecution of its practitioners. I believe that the Chinese Government's position contravenes several principles of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights. In particular the relevant articles Include.

Article 9.
No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.

Article 10.
Everyone is entitled in full equality to a fair and public hearing by an independent and impartial tribunal, in the determination of his rights and obligations and of any criminal charge against him.

Article 18.
Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.

Article 19.
Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart Information and Ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.

Article 20.
(1)Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association
(2)No one may be compelled to belong to an association.

The Chinese outlawing of Falun Gong means that people are committing an offence if they exercise their right to freedom of thought or belief, as well as their right to freedom of assembly.

I am also concerned at reports that arrests arbitrary and that those arrested are not receiving free and fair trials.

I call on the Chinese Government to:

* Reassess the status of Falun Gong, to recognise it for what it is a peaceful nonpolitical mediation movement.
* To allow independent observers in to monitor the condition of prisoners in gaols.
* To also monitor trials of these prisoners, to ensure they are legal and fair.

Yours sincerely
(Signature)
Senator Vicki Bourne
Australian Democrat's spokesperson on Foreign Affairs.

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