Open Letter to Congressman Gilman in Support of Falun Gong

September 23, 2002

Rep. Benjamin A. Gilman
Congressman, 20th Congressional District
2449 Rayburn Building
Washington, DC 20515

RE: HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN CHINA

Dear Rep. Gilman:

I am writing as both a third-year law student at the George Washington University School of Law and, more importantly, as a constituent from Orange County, NY. I would first like to commend your long-lasting devoted career of public service and representation of the Hudson Valley in Congress. You have provided a voice for the concerns of our community and have led by example in fighting for the beliefs of your party and your constituents.

The primary purpose of this letter is to commend your actions in Congress as an advocate for human rights throughout the world, but also to urge you to further express your strong commitment regarding human rights violations in China throughout the duration of your term in Congress. Earlier this year, you called for China's Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan to make a "substantial commitment" to ending the persecution of the spiritual movement Falun Gong and to foster a greater respect for human rights. However, as you suggested in July, the response of the Chinese government has continued to be merely lip service rather than a sincere commitment to ending persecution and human rights violations.

I urge you to continue your strong support, as well as offer your guidance to Representatives Maurice Hinchey and Sue Kelly regarding the strong feelings of the citizens of the Hudson Valley regarding this matter. Human rights are a bi-partisan issue that should receive attention across all platforms. The persecution that citizens of China are receiving is a form of "internal terrorism".

Just as our allies have joined America in supporting our fight against terrorism after September 11, we need to join the citizens of China in gaining freedom and protecting their rights against an oppressive government. Stopping the persecution of Falun Gong is a clear and identifiable step in helping the overall situation. The atrocities related to Falun Gong are egregious. Since the chairman of China's Communist Party, Jiang Zemin, began the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in July 1999:

100 million people who practiced Falun Gong as of 1998 have lost their freedom of belief.

Over 100,000 Falun Gong practitioners have been illegally arrested and detained.

More than 500 have been sentenced to prison terms of up to 18 years.

More than 1,000 have been forced into mental hospitals, an act condemned by the World Psychiatric Association.

Over 20,000 have been illegally sent to labor camps without trials.

At least 466 deaths through police torture have been confirmed with government sources inside China disclosing that the actual number exceeds 1,600.

You have set the precedent with your advocacy and I recommend that your colleagues follow your example. On Wednesday, October 9, 2002, there will be a public rally west of the Capitol Hill Reflecting Pool between 12:00 and 2:00 PM calling for President Bush in his meeting with Chinese President Jiang Zemin to recommend an active commitment to change. I hope the citizens of the Hudson Valley will have adequate representation at this rally. I will join you in your active role in the campaign for the protection of human rights by being present at the rally and continuing our community's voice in both Congress and moreover, the world.

Furthermore, I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to meet in person to discuss my concerns as a constituent. I can be contacted by phone at (phone # omitted) or by e-mail at (email address omitted). Thank you again for your continued support and representation.

Sincerely yours,

J. B.

Registered Voter, Goshen, NY

Cc: The Times Herald Record, Citizens for Gilman, Rep. Maurice Hinchey and Rep. Susan Kelly