Dear Friend:

Thank you for contacting me concerning the detention of Dr. Charles Li in China. I appreciate hearing your views on this matter.

Dr. Charles Li, who is a U.S. citizen and Falun Gong practitioner, was arrested by Chinese authorities in January following his arrival in Guangdong Province on a trip to visit his family. He was arrested on suspicion of sabotage, a charge that may have stemmed from the hijacking of Chinese cable and satellite television broadcasts by Falun Gong followers to show videos protesting the Chinese government ban on their group. Falun Gong was banned in China in 1999 because of its perceived threat to Communist rule. On March 21, 2003, Dr. Li was sentenced to three years in prison and deportation. It is unclear whether Dr. Li will have to serve his prison term before being deported.

In spite of Falun Gong's pacific, apolitical and non-sectarian nature, the Chinese government instituted crackdowns on those who practice these exercises. Since the crackdown began, thousands of people have been detained.

These actions violate the United Nation's Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, of which China is a signatory. I co-authored a letter with several Senate colleagues to express our "concern and dismay over the repression of practitioners of Falun Gong."

The persecution of people because of their religion has been a shameful recurring chapter throughout the history of the world. Promoting religious freedom and tolerance is a critical component of United States human rights policy. I believe China should release Dr. Li and send him home rather than hold him in prison on unjustified charges.

Sincerely,

Carl Levin