(Clearwisdom.net)
19th November 2002
Dear Bill and Esther
Thank you for sending us your letter about the members of your family who
have been persecuted because they are practitioners of Falun Gong.
The Greens share your concerns about the Chinese Government's treatment of
Falun Gong practitioners.
Members of the Australian Government, including the Foreign Minister and the
Prime Minister, are very willing to talk with their Chinese counterparts about
trade, investment and making money, but not about the basic human rights we
espouse as a free and democratic country.
It is important for people to realise that the Chinese Government continues
to support a crackdown on a range of [groups], particularly Falun Gong.
You may be aware that Bob Brown and I raised this issue when Bob moved a
matter of urgency motion in relation to human rights violations in China and Li
Peng's recent visit to Australia. I have attached a copy of my speech for your
information.
Last week we also posed two questions to the Minister for Foreign Affairs
regarding the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners. I have enclosed the
questions for your information.
Unfortunately I am not in a position to take on individual cases. However the
Greens will continue to campaign against these human rights abuses both in
Parliament and in the broader community.
Thank you again for sharing your story with me and I wish you the best of
luck in your search for Justice.
Kerry Nettle
Australian Greens Senator for NSW
