Secretary of International Society for Human Rights (ISHR)-Australia Writes to Minister of Foreign Affairs

(Clearwisdom.net)

ISHR-Australia

International Society for Human Rights (ISHR) - Internationale Gessellschaft fur Menschenrechte (IGFM)

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2 April 2002
ref: 2/04/02ADreFG

The Hon A. Downer
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Parliament House
Canberra 2600

Dear Sir,

We write to you to express our concerns over the Chinese authorities' treatment of the practitioners of Falun Gong. There is abundant evidence of the imprisonment, torture and humiliation of many thousands. Plus there has been the ill-treatment of many foreign, including Australian adherents, who have sought to publicly demonstrate their support for their Chinese counterparts.

China wants full international acceptance into all the world's 'clubs' -economic, commercial, social, cultural, political, scientific and sporting, and yet it still does not trust its own citizens. It is still not prepared to allow freedom of expression, free assembly, freedom of speech for its citizens.

We are well aware of the Australian Government's attempts to pursue improvements in China's respect for human rights and good governance through the dialogue that has been carrying on for some years. It appears to us there is little practical evidence to show any improvement in the behaviour of the regime. In fact, now having achieved its objective of gaining the 2008 Olympic Games, China is happy to clamp down on all dissenting voices who challenge in even harmless ways the totality of state control. This has been particularly evident in China's persecution of Falun Gong adherents, as well as increased suppression of religious groups, and independent trade unions who are not formally under the close control of the Chinese bureaucracy.

It is to be regretted that the Australian Government now appears mute in the face of the abuse of human rights in China, if not suppliant to Chinese bullying to regard such oppression as "China's internal affairs." Further, we would regard acquiescence to China's instructions that no Australian Government leader meet with the Tibetan Dalai Lama as kowtowing.

We urge the Australian Government to show strength and to publicly and rationally criticise China when it is appropriate and morally responsible to do so. You may annoy the mandarins in Beijing but you can only win the respect of the Chinese people.

Yours sincerely,

John Launder
Secretary