Canadian MP: It's a Shame That Hu Will Be Kept Away From the Series of Demonstrations

In response to Hu's state visit to Canada on Thursday, independent member of Canadian Parliament, Mr. Kilgour accepted that trade was important, but insisted it could not be divorced from human rights issues. Kilgour believes that human rights are more important than trade. Kilgour stated that it was a shame that Hu will be kept well away from the series of demonstrations planned in Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver.

Kilgour said that it was a shame that Hu will be kept away from the series of demonstrations

According to reports from Cybercast News Service on September 7th, 2005, judging from past visits by Chinese leaders to Canada, Hu will be kept well away from the series of demonstrations planned in Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver.

A lawmaker who formerly served as Canada's point-man for China, former secretary of state for Asia and the Pacific, David Kilgour, said that was a shame.

According to the report, Falun Gong and Tibetan campaigners, Chinese evangelists and Taiwanese representatives said they were still working out plans for demonstrations during Hu's visit.

Kilgour told Cybercast News Service that human rights issues would be swept under the carpet during the state visit, so Hu and his hosts could concentrate on drumming up more trade and investment.

In an interview Tuesday, Kilgour said it was "...distressing to see how many human rights issues there are ... Tibet, Falun Gong, the treatment of Muslims and Christians. I think we should be giving them a lot more attention than trade."

Kilgour, now an independent member of parliament, accepted that trade was important but insisted it could not be divorced from human rights issues.

Kilgour, who visited China when he was minister responsible for relations with that region, said he was hopeful that when Hu took over as president, there would be advances on human rights issues.

Instead, "Since March 2003, he has been moving more into authoritarian directions, despite our early hopes."

Kilgour noted that both Martin and Governor-General Adrienne Clarkson (who represents Queen Elizabeth II as head of state in Canada and is of Chinese origin) will be hosting lavish dinners for the visiting Chinese leader.

"But he won't meet with Falun Gong, Amnesty International, and the Tibetan people."