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London Councillor Pledges "Full and Firm Support to the Falun Gong and its Followers" Statement from Brian Coleman, GLA, to the Falun Gong Press Conference,
Sunday, 14th October 2001
I sincerely regret that I am unable to attend this conference today. Perhaps
my absence is not altogether inappropriate, since I am currently in Cyprus
addressing the human rights issues associated with the many thousands of people
there who are unable to return to their homes.
At the forefront of defending human rights is a necessity to raise public
consciousness. The continuing persecution of members of the Falun Gong and in
particular, the well-documented deaths in custody, are utterly unacceptable and
entirely deserving of public awareness, action, and indignation. As such, I am
delighted that this high profile event is taking place today.
As I am sure you are aware, the Greater London Assembly passed a motion on 21st
December 2000, supporting the rights of the Falun Gong, to freedom of thought
and religion, and the manifestation of those rights in public or private
worship, practice or teaching.
Implicit in that resolution was recognition of Falun Gong as a peaceful,
spiritual movement, and in the same breath, as a movement with rights enshrined
in Article 18 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
My first interaction with the Chinese Government over this issue was back in
May 2000, when met the First Secretary of the Chinese Embassy. Following
extended correspondence with the Chinese Ambassador I most publicly criticised
his award of an honorary degree from Middlesex University. Throughout my
interactions with the Chinese authorities, there has been no tendency towards
reconciliation, and no lack of conviction on their part that they were ever in
the wrong.
I and my colleagues on the Assembly are proud to have played some small part
in publicising the unacceptable treatment of Falun Gong practitioners who
routinely suffer torture and intimidation in China, and democratic restrictions
in the UK.
I shall continue to highlight such incidents and I pledge my full and firm
support to the Falun Gong and its followers.
Cllr Brian Coleman,
Greater London Assembly Member for Barnet and Camden.
Reprinted from Clear Harmony Net
Source: http://www.clearharmony.net/articles/1414.html
Posting date: 10/24/2001
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