August 13, 2002
Minister of Foreign Affairs,
(Address)
Subject: Falun Gong practitioners in Hong Kong
Mr. Minister:
As you can see from the attached documents, the concern is over 16 Falun Gong practitioners who have been undergoing trial for the past few months. According to the group, the verdict in this trial is expected tomorrow, Wednesday August 14 at 9:30pm Canada time, which would be Thursday, August 15 at 9:30am Hong Kong time.
The group requested that I bring this matter to your attention in the shortest possible delay to see if Canada could, in any way, positively influence the final decision. I trust that your department will best be able to deal with this important matter.
I thank you Mr. Minister for your kind attention, understanding and collaboration.
Yours Sincerely,
(Signature of Bernard Patry)
Dr. Bernard Patry, MP
Chair - Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade
Dear Sir;
I am writing to you regarding the trial of Falun Gong practitioners who peacefully protested in Hong Kong to ask for the end of the persecution of Falun Gong in mainland China.
This trial will be condemned by all the democratic countries and good people. Is this the reality of "One country, two systems?"
Anyone can see that under pressure from the Chinese Government, the Hong Kong government is giving up it own authority and following the evil. You cannot imagine how bad it is.
Due to its peaceful nature and great benefits, Falun Gong is receiving more and more support and recognition. How could the Hong Kong government do such an unreasonable thing as to support evil and persecute good people?
Here, from the bottom of my heart, I ask you to correct your action, take responsibility for the people of Hong Kong, and let them have a good future.
Sincerely,
To the People of Hong Kong,
I am writing to express my concern that you appear to be following China's lead in persecuting Falun Gong practitioners. I don't really know much at all about Hong Kong, but evidently there was a belief that you might maintain your independent and honourable traditions of openness and freedom to all within your borders.
If this is not the case, I am very sorry not only for those you persecute but for you, that you are forced to take this unholy path of persecution.
I do pray that you may manage to overcome these difficulties and extend your pardon and good wishes to all presently in Hong Kong, including the Falun Gong practitioners who will keep telling the world what is being done to practitioners in China, and now Hong Kong.
Sincerely yours,
To whom it may concern:
This is a letter from a post doctor of biochemistry, who is deeply concerned about the politically motivated trial of Falun Gong practitioners in Hong Kong. Falun Gong is an ancient Chinese practice for mind and body, based on the nature of the universe: Truth, Compassion, and Forbearance. It was introduced to the public in China in 1992, and right now more than 100 million people in more than 50 countries of the world are practicing Falun Gong. According to incomplete statistics, within the past three years beginning on July 20, 1999, more than 450 practitioners are verified to have been tortured to death in over 30 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities. However, according to the government's official internal statistics, the actual number of practitioners who have died after being arrested had reached 1,600 by the end of 2001.
If Jiang's regime did not persecute Falun Gong, there would be no peaceful appeals from the practitioners. Since July 20 of 1999, Falun Gong practitioners have been appealing non-violently and peacefully and calling for all the kind-hearted people of the world to help end the persecution together. The so-called charges of "obstructing traffic" and "assaulting the police" against Falun Gong practitioners by the Hong Kong authorities are totally unfounded. It can be clearly seen from on-site video footage of the appeal and just looking at the numbers that on the spacious sidewalk outside the Chinese Liaison Office, the protesting Falun Gong practitioners took up a very small amount of room and did not obstruct any officials or pedestrians from entering or exiting the building, or from just passing by.
It is even less feasible to call the banners that the practitioners held in their hands "obstructions." It is even less likely for the Falun Gong practitioners to assault the police when the hordes of policemen clearly arrested the practitioners with violence. The Hong Kong police authorities conducted the forceful arrest without a warrant, which was in itself an illegal activity.
Now more and more people around the world are watching this trial. We hope you can uphold justice, not just for the sake of Falun Gong practitioners, but for all of the Chinese people, including the people of Hong Kong.
Sincerely,
US Citizen's Letter to the Judiciary Branch of Hong Kong, "it may set a precedent that also affects the perceptions of the international community"
Respectful Sirs and Madams of the Judiciary Branch,
It is my understanding that the judicial system is one of the best ways to ensure that all people can feel free to prosper knowing that a higher independent authority protects their rights. This authority, then, must know the Law to the greatest extent in order to properly dispense justice. Of course, I don't know the specific laws of Hong Kong, but I do understand the intent of the "one country -- two systems" policy that guides Hong Kong governance.
It is disconcerting to see pictures and hear news of the arrest and trial of 16 Falun Gong practitioners there in Hong Kong. They were accused of obstructing a public walkway and some were accused of assaulting the arresting police officers. Surely you know, as many around the world do, of the practitioners' peacefulness and law-abiding nature. There is also photographic and video evidence available to anyone on the Internet that clearly shows the true state of affairs. How sad that these innocent practitioners are now pawns in what looks more like a political scheme for China proper to not only persecute Falun Gong but also to usurp the rights of Hong Kong citizens and international visitors that are guaranteed by law.
And this happened shortly after 130 Falun Gong practitioners were forcefully deported from Hong Kong. Those practitioners were trying to appeal in front of government offices for an end to the persecution of practitioners in Mainland China. They had done all the legal procedures, had proper documents, yet some were tied up in bags and carried to the airport. Certainly this was already an international incident.
Now I'm concerned that this trial has not been initiated or conducted in the best interests of the Hong Kong people and it may set a precedent that also affects the perceptions of the international community. I'm not so naive to think that every nation's judicial system is free of bias. However, I've experienced enough to know that there are still some people who maintain integrity, who challenge the status quo in order to meet the high ideals of the judicial system, who serve as reminders to us all that there is still true justice in this world. I sincerely hope that you are of those people and that you will continue to protect Hong Kong's lawful freedoms.
I've visited your lovely country before and was impressed by the hospitality and genuineness of the people I met. I don't believe it would be the same were I to return to meet a people who are no longer free to be who they choose within the true limits of the law. Such a great responsibility you have! To yourself, to the Hong Kong people, to the rest of the world - May your hearts be moved by kindness and your minds by righteousness. Let the rest of the world see that there is still great honour and morality in the Chinese people regardless of the political systems under which they live.
Sincerely,
Tanya Harrison
A concerned US citizen
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