19th July 2001

Dear XXX,

Thank you for your recent correspondence regarding the Cross-Ireland Journey for Support for the Rescue of The Falun Gong Practitioners persecuted in China.

I wish you well in this important venture and pledge my support to you and your colleagues as you work for freedom and justice, not only for Zhao Ming, but for all Falun Gong practitioners in China.

I am aware that the Irish Government, with our EU partners, has called upon the Chinese authorities to respect the human rights of individuals, and has urged them to act in accordance with the principles contained in the UN Covenants, signed by China, in particular relating to the freedoms of expression, assembly and association. The Irish Government is committed to working actively to bring about full observance of human rights in China and I fully support this stand.

With my best wishes for success of the Cross Ireland Cycling Journey,

Yours sincerely,

(Signature)

Councillor Michael Mulcahy

Lord Mayor of Dublin