Letter from Canadian MP to Prime Minister of Canada Jean Chretien

October 21, 2002

Dear Prime Minister,

I write to you in anticipation of the upcoming APEC summit to express my concerns, and those of many of my constituents, about the on-going persecution, torture and imprisonment of Falun gong practitioners in China. I have, along with other MPs, raised this issue with your government on previous occasions, and urged you to express Canada's strong opposition to the denial of basic human rights in China.

Mr. Prime Minister, Trade is important, but surely the upholding of human rights must be our most important priority both as a government and as Canadians. Right now there are 12 practitioners imprisoned who have families in Canada, and thousands of others who are being persecuted on the basis of their beliefs.

I believe Canada has a duty and responsibility to speak out in the International Community and in forums such as APEC, and voice our condemnation of these Human Rights violations. Amnesty International, a well-respected and independent organization, has thoroughly documented these massive violations by China, and we need to back up this information and what it represents, by clearly speaking out.

I urge you to use the APEC summit as a venue to raise these serious issues, we can no longer afford the unilateral thinking that trade is separate from the quality of human life.

I thank you for considering my concerns and hope sincerely that you will display the leadership and compassion that Canadians are so desperate for.

Yours Sincerely,

Libby Davies
MP, Vancouver East