A Letter to Hong Kong's CEO from the International Association for Human Rights in Austria


To: The Governor of Hong Kong, Tung Chee Hwa

Your Excellency!

The Austrian branch of the Internationale Gesellschaft fuer Menschenrechte (International Association for Human Rights) notices with consternation and concern certain developments regarding the questionable lawsuit against 16 Falun Gong practitioners in Hong Kong, a lawsuit that has been tried in the courts of your much esteemed country since June 17, 2002.

We are puzzled by the seemingly sudden developments in your part of the world. Up until now, why has your country, which previously has heroically and quite successfully and in impressive ways withstood the hair-raising influence of the human rights situation in Mainland China, suddenly shown laxity in observing human rights, particularly regarding Articles 7 and 8 that deal with Articles 18-20 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Resolution 217 A (II) Human Rights and Basic Laws? We are asking you: Why is this happening?

All signs point a to a politically motivated trial, staged along Communist-Chinese blueprints, particularly when one considers the court's chastising of the defense attorney, the absurd-sounding accusations, and the un-called for and unjustified actions by the police against the peaceably demonstrating practitioners.

We hope that Hong Kong will not continue with the long list of human rights transgressions, not only against Falun Gong. We consider also the larger picture of human rights transgressions, such as against members of ethnic minorities and other religious minorities who only wish to practice their faiths unimpeded and in freedom. We hope that Hong Kong does not unquestionably continue its suppression, albeit under duress from the People's Republic of China, but instead sends a hopeful sign that lets the rest of the world know which road Hong Kong will choose.

We therefore urge you to arrive at a decision in concert with human rights principles, and not base your decision on considerations derived from political pressures.

Katharina Grieb, President, IgfM/Austria

IV (by) Erich Leopold, Leader of the China Section

(Original Text in German)

 Yearly Archive   Printer Version


We welcome your comments and suggestions, please email:
feedback@clearwisdom.net

Related Articles

Article Review
• Democrat and Chronicle: China leader's persecution campaign should make him unwelcome here [in U.S.] [8/13/2002]
• Commentary on the statement of the spokesperson for China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs that "Extremely Small Numbers Voted to Support US Concurrent House Resolution 188" [8/8/2002]
• Verdict Nears in Test Case for Hong Kong's "One Country, Two Systems" [8/6/2002]
• Where Righteous Thoughts Arise Is Where the Evil Is Eliminated; Let us Eliminate the Real Cause Behind the Persecution [8/5/2002]
• The Whole World Should Focus Its Attention on the Politically Motivated Trial of Falun Gong Practitioners Based On False Accusations by the Hong Kong Police [8/5/2002]
• Let's Work Together to End the Show Trial of Innocent Falun Gong Practitioners [8/5/2002]
• Oppose the False Accusations in Hong Kong, Break Through This Wave of Persecution by the Old Forces Against the Whole Body of Dafa Disciples [8/4/2002]
• Revelations from the Bible's Book of Revelation [8/4/2002]
• The Jiang Regime is a Danger to the Civilization of the International Community [8/3/2002]
• FDI: Why All Should Beware of Jiang Zemin's Shrinking of Justice and Freedom in Hong Kong [8/2/2002]
• Speech from Association for Threatened Peoples (Austria): This Persecution Is Completely Irrational and Illogical [8/1/2002]
• Congressman Dana Rohrabacher of California: "never ever doubt that the heart and soul of the American people are with you" [7/31/2002]
• Thoroughly Expose Jiang's Evil Nature; Create an Environment for People to Learn About the Truth [7/31/2002]
• Rabbi David Saperstein, Director, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism, Speaks at the Falun Gong Rally in Washington DC (excerpt) [7/30/2002]
• Statement by Physicians for Human Rights on the Persecution of Falun Gong [7/29/2002]
• My Opinions on the Issue of Coordination Among Falun Dafa Practitioners [7/29/2002]
• Statement from the Vice President of Taiwan on July 20, 2002 in Support of Falun Gong [7/28/2002]
• Third Party Commentary: Breaking through the Jiang Regime's Information Blockade and Propaganda Against Falun Gong [7/27/2002]
• AP: United Kingdom Voices Concerns about Hong Kong Government's Stance On Protests [7/26/2002]
• U.S. House of Representatives Unanimously Passes Resolution Urging Chinese Government to Cease Its Persecution of Falun Gong Practitioners [7/25/2002]
• More Articles...