U.S. Congressman Thomas Tancredo Writes to Secretary of State Colin Powell to Express His Fear for the Safety of Practitioners of Changchun
April 10, 2002 The Honorable Colin Powell ?/P>
Dear Secretary Powell: I am again writing to express my concern over recent reports about the escalating persecution
campaign against Falun Gong in China, and more specifically, in Changchun City, where the Falun Gong
movement began. I am told that orders from the Chinese government leaders are to 'kill without
mercy" Falun Gong practitioners, and that police have been given permission to "shoot on
sight" anyone posting or handing out Falun Gong materials. On March 15, Amnesty International issued an Urgent Action request for Falun Gong practitioners
in Changchun City: "Amnesty International believes they are at serious risk of torture or
ill-treatment.....police 'stop and search' checkpoints have reportedly been established across the
city...." According to reports received by my office, over 5,000 Falun Gong practitioners in Changchun have
reportedly been arrested in recent weeks, several have "jumped" or "fallen" from
tall buildings when pursued by police, and many others have been secretly cremated after been
tortured to death. Indications are that dozens have been murdered. Mr. Secretary, I fear for the people of Changchun. ?/P>
Sincerely, ?/P>
Thomas G. Tancredo
Secretary, U. S. Department of State
Washington, D. C. 20520
Member of Congress
Posting date: 4/25/2002
Original article date: 4/24/2002
Category: Worldwide Support