Dear Friend:

Thank you for writing to my office with concerns about the mistreatment of Falun Gong practitioners by the government of China. I welcome the opportunity to respond.

As a Member of the House International Relations Committee and the House Human Rights Caucus, I share your concern for the well-being of thousands of Falun Gong practitioners who have been arrested and detained, tortured, and placed in harsh labor camps and psychiatric facilities. Falun Gong practitioners are victims of a government and judicial system that do not protect the religious and human rights of their citizens. It has been reported that thirty-three Falun Gong practitioners have died in prison at the hands of Chinese government officials.

The United States must take the lead in condemning the harsh treatment of Falun Gong members. On august 23, 2000, I joined my colleagues in sending a letter to President Clinton urging him to raise the issue of human and religious rights abuses in china, in particular the government's crackdown on Falun Gong practitioners, with Chinese officials including President Jiang Zemin. I am hopeful that President Clinton will urge President Jiang to free all detained practitioners from jail, labor camps, and mental institutions.

Beijing's treatment of Falun Gong practitioners must be closely examined by the international community. President Jiang and the government of China have an historic opportunity to show that they truly respect the rule of law, as well as support religious freedom for their people. However, the international community must remain vigilant in its efforts to gain the immediate release of Falun Gong members. We cannot sit idly by and remain silent while Falun Gong members and others expressing their religious faith and political ideas are unfairly detained and imprisoned.

Again, thank you for contacting my office.

With warm regards,

Robert Wexler