Letter from Canada's Global Mission to Rescue Persecuted Falun Gong Practitioners Requests Hong Kong SAR Government to Help Rescue Mr Chan Wing-Yuen

January 27 2003

Mr Tung Chee Hwa, The Chief Executive

Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

People's Republic of China

5/F, Central Government Offices, Main Wing, Lower Albert Road, Hong Kong

Dear The Honorable Chief Executive:

Re: Request Hong Kong SAR Government to Help Rescue Mr Chan Wing Yuen

We are writing to you most urgently to appeal Hong Kong SAR Government to help rescue the Hong Kong resident Mr. Chan Wing-yuen being jailed in Myanmar.

Mr Chan Wing-yuen, 71-years-old, made a peaceful appeal to Chinese's Chairman Jiang Zemin by unfurling a small banner that reads "Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance" on a street on December 12, 2001. He was arrested within seconds and secretly sentenced to 7 years in prison on January 31, 2002. We were shocked by the heavy jail term handed down by Myanmar authorities against a 71-year-old senior citizen for a peaceful action that did not cause any disruption to public order.

We believe that the unlawful trial, sentencing and imprisonment of Mr Chan represents a grave injustice to human rights and human dignity.

After he was arrested, at the behest and presence of officials from the Chinese Embassy, police officers attempted to coerce Mr. Chan into writing a statement to renounce his belief in Falun Gong, in exchange for his freedom. Mr. Chan refused.

As of today, 557 Falun Gong practitioners were persecuted to death under Chinese police custody. The Chinese regime has a history of extending its persecution of Falun Gong outside China's borders. Mr Chan's case was just another example.

We call upon Hong Kong SAR government to take full responsibility of her residents overseas and help rescue Mr Chan Wing-yuen immediately and ensure him safe return to Hong Kong.

Thank you for your immediate attention to this very important matter.

Sincerely

Global Mission to Rescue Persecuted Falun Gong Practitioners (Canada)

References:

1. Myanmar: Elder Slapped with 7 Years for "Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance" Banner

2. Support for Elderly Falun Gong Practitioner Imprisoned in Myanmar Grows (Photos)

3. AFP: Falun Gong petitions HK chief to release old practitioner in Myammar

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