United Kingdom: MP for Cambridge and Leader of Cambridge Liberal Democrats Both Express Their Support during Cambridge Falun Dafa Week

During Falun Dafa Week in October 2004 in Cambridge, England, Falun Dafa practitioners held a weeklong Anti-Torture Exhibition. Member of Parliament Ms. Anne Campbell and Councillor Mr. David Howarth, Leader of the Cambridge Liberal Democrats, wrote to Falun Gong practitioners in support of Falun Gong.

MP Campbell said in her letter, "Those of us who believe in the freedom of speech and expression must sympathize with the Falun Gong practitioners, who are persecuted throughout China. The UN report which draws attention to the torture of Falun Gong practitioners is deeply shocking and I would urge everyone to write a letter of protest to the Chinese authorities about their treatment of Falun Gong."

On October the 21st 2004, Chairman David Howarth and the Cambridge Liberal Democrats expressed their support for the rights of the Falun Gong practitioners to hold their beliefs without fear, through a letter written by Campaign Director Kevin Wilkins.

The letter said: "David Howarth and the Cambridge Liberal Democrats

• Believe the right to freedom of thought is a fundamental human right which should be respected by governments throughout the world;


• Condemn any persecution, including torture, imprisonment and forced family separation, carried out by the Chinese Government on followers of Falun Gong;


• Calls on the Chinese Government to stop its policy of persecution immediately, and to allow all people to hold their beliefs without fear;


• Calls on the British government to take all possible diplomatic measures to persuade the Chinese Government to change its policy."

The letter also said: "In 2000, David Howarth, then Liberal Democrat leader of the Cambridge City Council, met with the First Secretary of the Chinese Embassy to discuss the situation. Mr. Howarth made clear his support for the right of people in China to hold their beliefs without fear, persecution or discrimination."