March 14, 2002
The Right Hon. Jean Chretien
Prime Minister of Canada
Dear Prime Minister
I'm writing to express my grave concerns with the continuing persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China. I'm sure you are aware that a group of courageous Canadian Falun Gong practitioners is having a hunger strike on Parliament Hill to drew attention to the on-going human rights violations in China.
In the past years and even in recent weeks, we have witnessed some of the worst violence aimed at supporters and practitioners of Falun Gong. There have been arbitrary arrests and confinement, torture, unlawful process, long-term confinements without conviction or hearing, administrative penalties without process of law, and frequently applied death penalty.
The situation in China has recently become more critical as President Jiang Zemin is reported to have ordered a "Kill Without Pardon" policy against Falun Gong practitioners. These acts must be condemned in the international community and it's time for the Canadian government to act decisively and immediately to pressure the Chinese government to halt these human rights violations. Canada must not silently allow the Chinese government to perpetrate such crimes against its own citizens and citizens of Canada.
As a country that prides itself on its humanitarian record, I urge you to protest these human rights abuses against Falun Gong practitioners to the Chinese authorities, and inform them of the concern that Canadians have for their repressive policies.
Furthermore, I would urge you to voice Canada's concerns with China's appalling human rights record at the United Nations Commission on Human Rights meeting in Geneva later this month. Canada has a moral obligation to initiate its own resolution to this effect. This is an urgent request - Canada cannot sit back and ignore this grave issue.
I look forward to your earliest reply to this important issue
Sincerely,
Libby Davies, MPVancouver East