(Minghui.org) Following Canadian MP Pierre Paul-Hus’s reading of a petition in Parliament initiated by Falun Gong practitioners in Canada, calling on the Canadian government to rescue Falun Gong practitioner Ms. Cong Lanying, Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly recently issued a written response.

Ms. Cong Lanying, nearly 80, is the mother of Ms. Cong Xinmiao, who is a Canadian citizen. Ms. Cong Lanying was arrested by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in 2022 for practicing Falun Gong and sentenced to four years in prison.

The Foreign Minister stated, “Thank you for your concern regarding the case of Cong Lanying. Canada has publicly expressed its concerns over the intimidation and suppression of ethnic minorities and religious groups, including Falun Gong practitioners. Canada will continue to do so at every appropriate opportunity.”

The letter emphasized that human rights issues are a priority in Canada’s interactions with China. The Canadian government consistently urges China to respect, protect, and promote the freedoms of speech, assembly, association, and religious belief.

The letter mentioned that on January 23rd this year, during the United Nations Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review of China’s human rights record, Canada called on China to cease all forms of enforced disappearances, specifically highlighting Falun Gong practitioners.

On December 14, 2022, the Canadian Parliament unanimously passed Bill S-223, which addresses combating organ harvesting and trafficking. This bill is considered relevant to the Uyghurs and Falun Gong practitioners in China.

The Foreign Minister’s letter also stated that the Canadian government regularly communicates with civil society organizations, diaspora communities, and faith groups to inform them of its actions in defending human rights, including freedom of religion or belief.

The following is the full text of the letter:

“Promoting and protecting human rights is an integral part of Canada’s foreign policy and a priority in Canada’s relations with China. The Canadian government has consistently urged China to respect, protect, and promote freedoms of speech, assembly, association, and religious belief.

“Thank you for your attention to the case of Ms. Cong Lanying. Canada has publicly expressed concerns about the intimidation and repression faced by ethnic and religious groups, including Falun Gong practitioners. Canada will continue to do so at every appropriate opportunity. On January 23, 2024, during the Universal Periodic Review of China at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Canada specifically called on China to cease all forms of enforced disappearances, with particular mention of Falun Gong practitioners.

“On December 14, 2022, the S-223 Bill concerning combatting forced organ harvesting and trafficking related to Uyghurs and Falun Gong practitioners in China, was unanimously passed in the House of Commons (324 in favor, 0 against). It received Royal Assent the following day. The S-223 Bill stipulates that it is a criminal offense for Canadian citizens or permanent residents to travel abroad to receive organs taken without consent. Canada joins countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Italy, Israel, Belgium, Norway, Spain, South Korea, and Taiwan in enacting laws to combat organ trafficking, organ transplant tourism, and organ trade.

“The Canadian government is committed to combating all forms of human trafficking, including for the purpose of organ harvesting. We actively collaborate with countries, including China, to advocate and advance the implementation of United Nations resolutions on the prevention, prohibition, and punishment of trafficking in persons, especially women and children, to combat transnational organized crime. Combatting illegal organ trafficking is complex and requires international cooperation. Canada actively participated in the revision of the World Health Organization’s guiding principles on human organ and tissue transplantation, adopted by member states including China in 2010.

“Furthermore, Canada continues to work closely with international partners to promote the freedom of persecuted religious groups worldwide. In 2015, Canada established the International Contact Group on Freedom of Religion or Belief, co-chaired by Canada and the United States. This is an important platform that brings together more than thirty countries committed to protecting and promoting freedom of religion or belief, helping to coordinate actions on religious minority issues worldwide.

“Canada’s engagement on human rights issues includes high-level visits, public statements, statements on specific issues and cases of concern in bilateral and multilateral forums, diplomatic interventions and advocacy, as well as awareness-raising activities in civil society. The Canadian government also holds regular meetings with various civil society organizations, diaspora and faith groups, and the international community to report on its actions to defend human rights, including freedom of religion or belief. This includes regular meetings with Canadian civil society organizations concerned with human rights conditions in China.

“The government’s Indo-Pacific strategy also directly outlines Canada’s policy towards China. China’s rise as a global player is changing the strategic outlook for every country in the Indo-Pacific region, including Canada. The third pillar of the Indo-Pacific strategy specifically addresses commitments to human resources, development, and the defense of human rights invested in the Indo-Pacific region. Canada will never shirk its responsibilities on matters of national interest, including respecting international human rights governance rules.”

Note: The letter is signed by Rob Oliphant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mélanie Joly.