UK MPs Request British Government Make a Public Statement on Falun Gong

UK MPs Request British Government Make a Public Statement on Falun Gong

The following letter was sent by UK MPs, Dr S.J. Ladyman and Mr Iain Luke, to the British Foreign Secretary:

House of Commons
London SW1A 0AA

The Rt Honourable Jack Straw MP
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
WhitehallLondon SW1A 2AH

6th March 2002

Dear Jack,

We would like to inform you of the outcome of a seminar that was held on 27th February 2002 in the Commons. At this seminar, supporters of Falun Gong were given an opportunity to tell parliamentarians first hand about their experiences of persecution in the People’s Republic and refute the Chinese Government’s assertion that Falun Gong is an [slanderous term used by Chinese government] that encourages its followers to commit suicide. The meeting was attended by members of both Houses.

We are deeply alarmed about reports regarding the arbitrary arrest, sentencing without trial, and torture and death whilst in police custody of suspected Falun Gong adherents in China. As you are no doubt aware, many of these reports are echoed by independent human rights organisations. In addition, it is of particular concern to us to learn that British citizens have been subjected to this kind of abuse in China.

On behalf of all those parliamentarians and citizens in attendance at the meeting, we would ask Her Majesty’s Government to draw the attention of the Government of China to the conduct of police officers who recently detained and mistreated five British citizens for demonstrating peacefully in support of their beliefs violating the provisions in the Chinese constitution guaranteeing freedom of belief and prohibiting physically mistreatment , and ask the Government of China that the officer responsible be disciplined.

In addition we request that Her Majesty’s Government make a public statement on its attitude to the treatment of Falun Gong adherents by the People’s Republic of China.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely

Signed

Dr S.J. Ladyman MP and Mr I. Luke MP