Canada: Hu Arrives without Bo Xilai; Practitioners Call for Persecutors to be Brought to Justice

On the morning of September 8th, Chinese leader Hu Jintao and his delegation arrived in Ottawa in a thunderstorm. Practitioners from all over Canada and several U.S. cities held public appeals at Ottawa Airport, the hotel where Hu is to stay and the Governor General's office (Rideau Hall). Taking this opportunity, practitioners urged Hu to end the persecution. To let their voices be heard and raise awareness of the persecution, they displayed banners such as "Bring Jiang Zemin, Luo Gan, Liu Jing and Zhou Yongkang to Justice," "Bring Policemen and Thugs Responsible for the Persecution of Falun Gong to Justice," "Chinese Communist Party: Stop the Persecution of Falun Gong," "Hu Jintao: The Time Given to You by Heaven's and the People's Mandate is Limited." Bo Xilai, one of the chief culprits responsible for the persecution and thus monitored by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), was not seen in Hu's delegation.

Hu's car passing by practitioners' banners

Bo Xilai, who is on the List of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, was not found in Hu's Delegation

The morning of September 8th in Ottawa was exceptionally gloomy and cold. When Hu and his delegation landed at Ottawa Airport in heavy rain, people didn't see the face of Bo Xilai, the Minister of Commerce. Bo is on the list of 45 perpetrators of torture and other crimes against humanity against Falun Gong practitioners in China, submitted to the Canadian War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity Programme in September 2003 and January, 2004. Reportedly, Bo's name was included in the list of Hu's delegation. However, his name disappeared from that list on September 8th and he was not seen during Hu's activities on the same day.

Bo Xilai was former Vice Secretary of the Liaoning Party Committee, Governor of Liaoning Province, Secretary of the Dalian City Party Committee and Mayor of Dalian City. Since the initiation of the persecution of Falun Gong, Bo has managed and directed the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in Liaoning Province and made Liaoning one of the provinces that persecute Falun Gong the most rampantly. Considering the severity of Bo's crimes, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) added his name to a watch list of 45 Chinese officials guilty of persecuting Falun Gong.

Human rights lawyer David Matas wrote to the relevant Canadian officials on August 25th to ask the Canadian Government to deny Bo Xilai and another Chinese official Xia Deren visas. Mr. Matas pointed out that based on Canada's Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Program, one would be denied entry to Canada if he were found guilty of crimes against humanity. He said that if such officials were allowed to enter Canada, it sends a message that Canada condones genocide and persecution of human rights. He said that Canada must act according to the international human rights agreement and Canada's "Crimes Against Humanity" and "War Crimes Programme". Victims of such crimes should not be left to fend for themselves.

Practitioner Xueye Zhu said, Bo's absence tells the world that he can't defend himself against the mounting evidence of his crimes.

Hu Jintao Has to Make a Choice

Practitioners' appeal in front of the Governor General's office (Rideau Hall)

No matter where Hu's motorcade went, it faced practitioners who were holding banners in the rain.

It was reported that Jiang Zemin, Luo Gan, Liu Jing and Zhou Yongkang are also on the RCMP's list, which includes Chinese officials from each level of Party Committees, "610 Offices," local governments and forced labour camps that are responsible for the persecution of Falun Gong. According to Canada's Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Program - CAHWCP, if anyone on the list attempts to enter Canada, a prompt investigation could take place, potentially resulting in refusal of visas to Canada, deportation, charges and punishment based on Canada's laws governing crimes against humanity and war crimes.

Practitioner Shigong Wang said: "Hu Jintao, who is now the top leader of the Chinese Communist party, is facing a choice. If he chooses to violate people's wishes and the will of heaven to continue the persecution, he will not only face disgrace but also grave punishment and a tragic future. If he can grasp the opportunity to end the persecution and completely break from the evil party, he may become a positive historic figure. However, his time is running out."