New Zealand Practitioners Send Open Letter to Prime Minister of Cambodia

Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia Samdech Hun Sen and Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Phnom Penh
Kingdom of Cambodia

Monday, 26 August 2002

As a member of the U.N, it is the obligation of the Cambodian government to honour and protect the rights of U.N. refugees. The deportation of Mr. Li Guojun and his wife, Zhang Xinyi, back to China is one of grave concern since the Chinese government under President Jiang Zemin is currently persecuting Falun Gong practitioners. Numerous reports of violations of human rights by the Chinese authorities have been cited. The brutality and methods of torture used by the Chinese authorities is inhumane. Any country that respects U.N. conventions on the rights of U.N. refugees will not condone such abuses, nor should these abuses exist. The oppression imposed upon Falun Gong practitioners is beyond any human notion and it is wrong. The international community is working together to end this persecution. Falun Gong only practices 'Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance', but the Chinese authorities commit unthinkable crimes against it.

Once this persecution ends the whole world will know the truth of what is happening in China and the extent of the persecution. History has shown us that every step and action a country takes is imprinted in the memory of individuals and society will make judgment. Countries that have stood up for the same principles as Falun Gong will be remembered in the history books as being countries with great virtue.

The path that Cambodia takes now will also be remembered. How Cambodia will be remembered is up to you, Your Excellency, and other respected government officials of the Kingdom of Cambodia. Your Excellency, we urge you to please follow the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance and we urge the government of Cambodia, as a member of the U.N., to fulfil its duty and protect the rights of U.N. Refugees.