A Letter by the President of the Canadian Labour Congress to the Prime Minister of Canada

The Right Honourable Jean Chretien
Prime Minister of Canada
House of Commons
Wellington Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6

Dear Prime Minister:

On behalf of the more than 2.3 million members of the Canadian Labour Congress(CLC), I wish to join with those who are appealing to you to help gain the release of the more than 130 Falun Gong practitioners detained in the Masanjia Labour Camp of Shenyang City, China. The information we have received refers to repressive conditions for people incarcerated without trial who have undergone extended hunger strikes to call attention to their plight.

The CLC has always agreed with Canada's stand against unjust arrest, persecution, and torture anywhere in the world. We urge you to use your good office to obtain the release of these people and to appeal to the Chinese government officials to allow freedom of religious expression in their country.

We are aware of the human rights dialogue between China and Canada and have in fact participated when labour rights were on the agenda. This dialogue can only be productive when the Chinese authorities are willing to permit internationally recognized freedom to their citizens, be they in the area of workers' rights or freedom of expression.

I look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible on this issue.

Sincerely yours

President of CLC