Denmark Foreign Minister's Letter

Udenrigsministeriet
(The Danish Foreign Ministry)
Ref.:
173.D.1.a

Date:
March 3, 2000

Dear Poul Chr. Andersen,

Thank you for your letter of February 15, 2000 regarding the Falun Gong movement in China.

As is apparent from my letter of December 3,1999 the government is closely watching the development of the human rights situation in China, hereby also with regard to the Falun Gong movement. That is the background why Denmark both bilaterally, within the EU and within the UN, has requested the Chinese government to create visible improvements on the human rights domain for the Chinese population.

In January of this years the EU addressed the Chinese authorities to protest the limitations of the rights of freedom, which also includes the conditions for the practitioners of Falun Gong.

The Danish government has noted the decision of the American government to produce a China resolution in connection with the upcoming assembly of the UN Human Rights Commission, and the issue wil be thoroughly discussed within EU circles during the coming months. As in earlier years the government strongly emphasizes that the EU preserves unity about this issue.

In conclusion, I want to thank you for your offer of a meeting at the Foreign Ministry, at which you and other Falun Gong practitioners could explain the situation from your viewpoint. I regret to say that I have no time myself for such a meeting, but I suggest that you contact the Asia office (S.6) on telephone [phone] to discuss a possible meeting.

With kind regards,

Niels Helveg Petersen

Poul. Chr. Andersen
Ericaparken 57 st tv
2820 Gentofte