Canadian Member of Parliament Benoit Serre Writes to the Minister of Foreign Affairs Concerning Falun Gong Practitioners Persecuted in China

The Honorable William Graham, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Lesler B. Pearson Building
Sussex Drive
Ottawa, ON
K1A 0G2

Dear Minister:

SUBJECT: FALUN GONG PRACTITIONERS

Three Falun Gong practitioners recently visited my Constituency Office to enlist my assistance as a Member of Parliament to ensure that the Government of Canada takes the initiative of a resolution and proactive actions at the upcoming Geneva meeting of the UN Commission on Human Rights. They feel, and I concur, that the People's Republic of China should face international scrutiny and condemnation for its extensive human rights violations, including the severe and inhumane persecution of Falun Gong.

It is reported that half of all the people in Chinese labour camps are Falun Gong practitioners -- people being held simply for their beliefs. Many International Organizations such as Amnesty International, Human Right Watch, Human Rights Internet, etc., have documented the mass arbitrary detentions, unfair trials and other human rights violations resulting from the crackdown on the Falun Gong.

Canadians have serious concerns regarding the treatment of Falun Gong practitioners. Addressing China's human rights abuses in your speech at the United Nations appears like the decent thing for our Government to do.

Thank you for allowing me to bring this appalling situation to your attention.

Sincerely,

Benett Serre, MP