A Letter from Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs to a Canada M.P.

(Clearwisdom.net) On April 15, 2002, Canada Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Bill Graham replied Canada M. P., Mr. Jerry Pickard who addressed Falun Gong practitioners' concern over the December 28 New Year's exhibition at the Embassy of the People's Republic of China. In his reply, Mr. Graham addressed that the Canadian Government will continue to make their views of human rights concern known to the Chinese authorities.

Below is the text of the letter.

Minister of Foreign Affairs
Ottawa, Canadaá K1A OG2

The Honorable Bill Graham P.C., Q.C., M.P.

April 15, 2002

Mr. Jerry Pickard, M.P.
House of Commons
Room 574, Confederation Building
Ottawa, Ontario
KIA 0A6

Dear Colleague:

Thank you for your letter of January 16, 2002, with which you enclosed a copy of an e-mail received from Li and Wollensak of the Falun Dafa Association of Canada concerning the December 28 New Year's exhibition at the Embassy of the People's Republic of China.

When I was still Chairman of SCFAIT, I met with some of the people who had been at the event in China, and I agree with you that we must make clear our concerns. I understand that the events of December 28 were reported to the police and that a police investigation is under way. In addition, departmental officials have brought the concerns of Canadian Falun Gong practitioners to the attention of the Chinese Embassy.

In meetings with senior Chinese leaders and during regular dialogue with Chinese officials, Canada has consistently underlined the concern of many Canadians regarding reports of the mistreatment of Falun Gong practitioners.

Prime Minister Chretien intervened strongly on human rights during the Team Canada visit to China in February 2001, and he again raised Canadian human rights concerns during his visit to Shanghai in October 2001. In a recent meeting with the Chinese Foreign Minister, Minister Manley raised continuing Canadian concerns about human rights in China, including freedom of spiritual practice. Human Rights were also raised during the January 2001 visit to Canada of the Chinese Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wang Guangya, and during the visit to China in December 2001 of the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Please be assured that we will continue to make our views known to the Chinese authorities.

Sincerely,

(Signature of Bill Graham, Minister of Foreign Affairs)