Canadian Members of Parliament Write to Prime Minister Chretien, Requesting Him to Raise the Falun Gong Issue at APEC Forum

(Clearwisdom.net) Members of the Canadian Parliament wrote letters to Prime Minister Jean Chretien, asking him to raise the Falun Gong issue at the upcoming APEC forum in Mexico and asking him to express Canada's strong opposition to the violation of human rights in China.

Below are two of these letters.

October 21, 2002
The Honourable Jean Chr tien
Prime Minister
House of Commons
309-S, Centre Block
Ottawa, K1A 0A6

Dear Prime Minister,

I write to you in anticipation of the upcoming APEC summit to express my concerns, and those of many of my constituents, about the on-going persecution, torture and imprisonment of Falun Gong practitioners in China. I have, along with other MPs, raised this issue with your government on previous occasions, and urged you to express Canada's strong opposition to the denial of basic human rights in China.

Mr. Prime Minister, trade is important, but surely the upholding of human rights must be our most important priority both as a government and as Canadians. Right now there are 12 practitioners imprisoned who have families in Canada, and thousands of others who are being persecuted on the basis of their beliefs.

I believe Canada has a duty and responsibility to speak out in the International Community and in forums such as APEC, and voice our condemnation of these Human Rights violations. Amnesty International, a well-respected and independent organization, has thoroughly documented these massive violations by China, and we need to back up this information and what it represents, by clearly speaking out.

I urge you to use the APEC summit as a venue to raise these serious issues. We can no longer afford the unilateral thinking that trade is separate from the quality of human life.

I thank you for considering my concerns and hope sincerely that you will display the leadership and compassion that Canadians are so desperate for.

Yours Sincerely,

Libby Davies
MP, Vancouver East

October 22, 2002

The Right Honourable Jean Chr tien
Prime Minister of Canada
309-S Centre Block
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6

Dear Jean,

I have recently been contacted by a number of Canadians concerned with

Chinese persecution of Falun Gong practitioners, including ten Canadians who have family members currently enduring unjust and inhumane treatment in Chinese prisons and labour camps because of their beliefs. These detention facilities are notorious for the brutal torture practices inflicted on Falun Gong practitioners, thousands of whom have already died from such abuses.

It is imperative that Canada urge China to cease its practice of subjecting Falun Gong practitioners to unlawful persecution and torture, and to respect international human rights law. Furthermore, Canada must condemn Chinese efforts to spread hateful propaganda, and other forms of persecution, conducted by Chinese embassies and consulates in Canada and around the world. I urge you to publicly raise the issue of Falun Gong persecution with President Jiang Zemin of the People's Republic of China at the upcoming APEC meeting in Mexico.

President Jiang must be informed that torture and unlawful imprisonment, as well as persecution based on religious beliefs, are not acceptable to Canadians. As well, I urge you to request the immediate release of the thirteen imprisoned family members of ten Canadian residents, and indeed all Falun Gong practitioners being held in Chinese prisons.

I look forward to your earliest possible reply on this urgent issue.

Sincerely yours,

Svend J Robinson, MP
Burnaby-Douglas

cc: Bill Graham, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Falun Dafa Association of Canada