Australia: Rally at Capitol Hill of Canberra, Falun Gong Practitioners Support the Motion to Rescue Australian Citizens' Relatives

On December 1 2003, Australian Falun Gong practitioners rallied in front of Capitol Hill of Canberra, Australia to support the motion to "Rescue the Australian Citizen's Relatives." The motion was proposed by the spokesperson of the Australian Democrats Party, Senator Natasha Stott Despoja. The practitioners also commemorated Australian citizen Ouyang Yi's younger brother Ouyang Ming who died from the persecution in China in August of this year.

Rally at Capitol Hill	Senator Andrew Bartlett giving a speech
Ms. Li Ying who was rescued after being illegally detained in forced labour camp for two years, and her fiancé Li Qizhong

Sources said on June 23, 2003 Senator Andrew Bartlett started the proposal of rescuing the Australian's relatives being detained and tortured in Chinese labour camps because of their belief in "Truthfulness, Compassion and Tolerance." After months of active campaigns, so far three Australians' relatives have been released. Other Australian relative's situation in the prison were also improved. Ms. Li Ying was one of the Falun Gong practitioners being rescued.

Li Yang said, "I appreciated the help from the Australian government and all kind hearted people. I believe there are a lot more Australians' relatives who are suffering. I hope more people will join this effort to rescue them, including my younger brother Li Liang who is still detained in Tianjin Qinpowa Forced Labour Institute, and my elder sister Li Hong who is still detained in Tianjin Banqiao Women Forced Labour Institute and many other Falun Gong practitioners."

Senator Andrew Bartlett gave a speech at the rally. He said that the basic human right to life could not be ignored. Australian Democrats would continue to support Falun Gong practitioners in rescuing their relatives and request the Chinese government to stop the persecution immediately. He said that we had seen some satisfactory results. Some people who had been saved already arrived in Australia. Our appeal was not limited to Australian citizens' relatives. It also extended to all Falun Gong practitioners being persecuted in China. We will work with you together.

The rally of support completed at 3:30 in the afternoon. Around 4:00 p.m., the motion was passed with support from a majority of the senators.