Prime Minister Paul Martin Writes to Canada Falun Dafa Association: Human Rights Was One of the Dominant Issues During Visit to China

On February 9, 2005, Prime Minister Paul Martin wrote a letter to the Canada Falun Dafa Association after his visit to China. Prime Minister Martin said in the letter that human rights was one of the dominant issues during the meetings with Chinese leaders. He referred specifically to rights-related obligations China must face. He also spoke of the need to work together to develop a transparent legal system, as well as reform China's judiciary, develop its justice system, and protect women's rights. Below is the text of the letter.

February 9, 2005

Dear Li Xun:

Thank you for your letter of January 5, 2005, asking me to express Canadians' concern over the treatment of Falun Gong adherents.

Your concerns about defending the right of religious freedom are shared by the Government of Canada, and officials at Foreign Affairs Canada are engaged with their Chinese counterparts in a human rights dialogue which includes frank discussion of many of the issues you raised in your letter.

I have just returned from my official visit to China, and am pleased to report that my meetings with Leaders in Beijing included a full and frank discussion of human rights issues, including specific Canadian concerns.

During my bilateral meeting with Premier Wen Jiabao, we discussed at length a wide variety of human rights concerns. In fact, it is fair to say that human rights was one of the dominant issues during our meeting. During this meeting, I referred to a list of human rights cases that was handed over to the Chinese by our Ambassador to China. This list includes specific cases of concern to Canadians and the Canadian government.

I also raised human rights during my other meetings, with President Hu Jintao and National People's Congress Chairman Wu Bangguo.

I also spoke about human rights initiatives during my speech to the Canada-China Business Council in Beijing. I referred specifically to rights-related obligations China must face as its economy continues to grow. My view is that we should seek to enhance our engagement with China - to foster a real partnership that comprises not just economic pursuits, but also the global political agenda: public health, environmental issues, human rights, and culture. I also spoke of the need to work together to develop a transparent legal system, as well as reform China's judiciary, develop its justice system, and protect women's rights.

Canada will continue to work with China towards these goals, both in the context of the existing dialogue and through other initiatives aimed at increasing respect for human rights.

Thank you for taking the time to share you concerns with me.

Yours sincerely,

Paul Martin (signature)