Canadian Officials Offer Support Over the Hong Kong Trial

"Today I join with concerned citizens across Canada and around the world in calling for an end to the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners. I urge the Liberal government to make known to the governments of Hong Kong and China that freedom of religious belief, freedom of speech, and freedom to assemble are fundamental human rights that must be upheld. Canada must vigorously protest the politically-motivated trial of the sixteen Falun Gong practitioners in Hong Kong, and demand that authorities there respect their promise to ensure the civil liberties of its citizens under the Basic Law."

Svend J Robinson, MP
Burnaby-Douglas

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Letter From Svend J Robinson MP to the Canadian Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Honourable Bill Graham, PC, MP
Minister of Foreign Affairs

Dear Bill,
I was recently contacted by a number of Falun Gong practitioners, and other concerned citizens of Canada, regarding the recent trial and possible imprisonment of sixteen peaceful protestors in Hong Kong.

On March 14, 2002, four Swiss and twelve Hong Kong citizens were forcefully arrested while staging a peaceful appeal outside the Chinese Liaison Office in Hong Kong to raise awareness of China's escalating persecution of Falun Gong. As the number of demonstrators was less than fifty, no permit was necessary for this gathering. As video evidence clearly attests, the demonstration was small, unobtrusive, and completely non-violent. And yet the police used violence in disrupting the event and taking the participants away.

The trial of these sixteen protestors was concluded last week, having been heard by a judge, reported to be biased against Falun Gong practitioners. The verdict, and possible sentences, remain to be decided.

I would urge you to investigate this matter immediately, and to communicate to the Government of Hong Kong the deep concerns of the Canadian people for the protection of the democratic freedoms of the defendants, and all people in Hong Kong.

I look forward to your earliest possible reply to this important matter.

Sincerely yours,
Svend J Robinson, MP

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Letter from Ottawa City Councilor to Canadian Foreign Minister Regarding Hong Kong Trial

Dear Mr. Graham,
I recently received the message below regarding the potential persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in Hong Kong. There is growing concern about the treatment of Falun Gong practitioners in China and it appears that they are now no longer safe in Hong Kong.

Traditionally Canadians have been able to take pride in their government's record in condemning abuses of human rights. I hope you will be continuing that tradition and looking into what has occurred and arranging for the appropriate action to be taken.