(Clearwisdom.net) Dr. Jing Zhi, a Falun Gong practitioner in Ottawa living in the same district as Minister John Baird of Foreign Affairs, called on the minister to address the persecution of Falun Gong openly during his visit to China this month. She also asked him to request the release of all Falun Gong practitioners who are imprisoned, including twelve practitioners who have relatives in Canada.

Dr. Zhi’s cousin, Han Yu, is a Falun Gong practitioner in Huajia, Liujianfang Township, Liaozhong County, Liaoning Province. He was arrested by police for practicing Falun Gong one month ago, and is still detained.

Falun Gong practitioners call on the Minister of Foreign Affairs to address the persecution of Falun Gong openly during his visit to China this month, and request the release of all imprisoned Falun Gong practitioners

Dr. Zhi said that on the night of June 13, 2011, the police took her cousin away and detained him. His family is not allowed to visit him. His family requested that the police and were told that he could not be released as he refused to renounce his belief.

Dr. Zhi said, “My cousin became healthy after practicing Falun Gong, and more open-minded. He lost freedom for his belief. This is just one example of the tens of thousands of Falun Gong practitioners who are persecuted for their belief. During the past 12-year-long persecution, several thousand practitioners in this county have been detained, imprisoned, sent to forced labor camps, and tortured. A handicapped practitioner was sentenced to five-year imprisonment. Some were tortured to death during imprisonment.

“At least twelve practitioners who have relatives in Canada are imprisoned in China. Mr. Lizhi He’s brother He Lizhong was sentenced to a three-year term in Jiuquan Prison, Gansu Province. I request Minister Baird to address the persecution of these Falun Gong practitioners.”

Xun Li, chairman of the Canadian Falun Dafa Association, said in the press conference on July 13, “The time that Minister Baird is visiting China (July 16-20) is the twelfth anniversary of the CCP’s persecution of Falun Gong.”

He continued, "We strongly feel that this is the optimal time for our minister to speak out for safeguarding Falun Gong practitioners’ human rights directly. It will also enhance Canada’s position on human rights."

“The genocide of Falun Gong practitioners is a crime against humanity. At the twelfth anniversary of the CCP’s persecution of Falun Gong, Canada should speak out for the Chinese people suffering to safeguard human dignity.”

A United Nations report stated that 66% of those who were tortured in imprisonment are Falun Gong practitioners.

Mr. Li pointed out, “This persecution doesn't occur only in China. During the past twelve years, the Chinese Embassy and consulates have conducted monitoring of Falun Gong practitioners in Canada, spread hatred, exerted pressure to Canada to remain silent on the CCP’s crimes against humanity, using diplomatic pressure and economic interests.”

He requested that Minister Baird be clear about the CCP’s means. He said, “We hope that the Canadian Government knows the nature of the CCP and is not misled by the CCP’s lies and economic interests.