December 10, 2002

Dear Sir/Madam,

Re: Article 23

On behalf of the Friends of Falun Gong Association of Canada, we are writing to express our grave concern over the proposed Article 23. As it stands, the enactment of a law upon the guidelines set out in the consultation paper in September threatens to severely disrupt the basic freedoms that the people of Hong Kong currently enjoy. Specifically, the law seeks to have Falun Gong banned in Hong Kong and have practitioners of this peaceful practice treated like criminals as they are in Mainland China. We appeal to your conscience to join us in condemning a law that would deeply divide the people of Hong Kong, and that would attack the very principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Tolerance.

Friends of Falun Gong Association of Canada is a Canadian-based, non-profit organization of individuals who actively support freedom of belief and basic human rights, which are being contravened currently in China. We have elected to make the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China the primary focus of our human rights concerns due to the peaceful nature of the practice, and its positive contributions to Canadian society and the world. Practitioners' admirable commitment to non-violence and to the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion and Tolerance exemplifies the very best in human beings.

As most prominent media around the world have pointed out, as well as Hong Kong's local press and other groups, if the law were to be made based on this proposal, it would have the most detrimental impact on almost every aspect of the lives of Hong Kong citizens and pose serious threats for Hong Kong's press, businesses, religions, academic research, information and human rights. In essence, the law would "lawfully" eliminate any voices determined by China to be divergent, and it would create a legal mechanism that would allow the Hong Kong SAR and Mainland China to selectively and arbitrarily punish individuals and groups of people. This law would effectively strip away the premise that each person is equal before the law, and that it will be applied with justice.

Amidst all these things, however, we have seen hope and a very strong commitment among the citizens of Hong Kong in how they have responded to this proposal. We particularly applaud the courage of the many leaders in the media, legal, religious, business, trade and professional, academic, political, human rights and other communities in Hong Kong who have stepped forward to express their concern. They have shown true leadership in this dark time.

Historically, Hong Kong has played a major role in promoting freedom and human rights and is seen as an example that China can follow. At this pivotal moment, we sincerely hope that Hong Kong citizens will once again live up to their values, beliefs and commitment to freedom and democracy, and stand up at this critical juncture, both for themselves and for future generations, to oppose the proposed Article 23 legislation that would cover Hong Kong in a shroud of fear.

We wish you the very best in your efforts to keep Hong Kong free.

Yours truly,

Co-Chairs
Friends of Falun Gong Canada