On June 14, 2003,
Congressman Jim McGovern presents his opinion on politics to his voters in
Marlborough City Hall
(Clearwisdom.net) Report from the Epoch Times in Boston:
On June 14, 2003 US Representative Jim McGovern met with voters to hear and
learn about issues of local concern in the Marlborough City Hall, Marlborough,
Massachusetts. The meeting was open to the public, and any in attendance were
able to meet with Congressman McGovern.
On June 11, Congressman McGovern co-signed a brief with dozens of members of
the US Congress as a friend of the court, also known as amicus curiae. The
amicus brief was written by the senior Democratic member of the International
Relations Committee in the US Congress, California Congressman Tom Lantos,
requesting the court to proceed with the lawsuit against Jiang, and urging the
court to handle the litigation against former Chinese leader Jiang and others
with the charges of genocide, anti-humanity and other crimes. On June 12, the US
Federal District Court of the Northern District in Illinois accepted the brief
and the news shook both the Chinese community and International diplomatic
circles. Our reporter interviewed Congressman McGovern about the case in hopes
to thoroughly report how the US politicians view the lawsuit against Jiang.
Reporter: Mr. McGovern, I learned that you co-signed a brief as amicus curiae
to support Falun Gong practitioners to sue the former Chinese Communist Party
head Jiang for the crimes of genocide and anti-humanity. Would you please talk
about your opinion on the lawsuit?
McGovern: I think the Chinese government's persecution of Falun Gong
practitioners and other religious people is unscrupulous and of guilty
conscience. Frankly speaking, I have a high standard for human rights and
believe that no matter where, in the US or any other place in the world, the
standard for human rights is consistent. Everyone should enjoy freedom of
belief, express their beliefs in any means and have freedom of thinking. For
many years, many people and I have often criticized the behavior of Chinese
government. We have sent out numerous requests to the Chinese government in
hopes that they could improve their methods and attitudes in treating Falun Gong
practitioners, but the Chinese government has basically been aloof and continued
its suppression of Falun Gong. Recent litigation is a method to put pressure on
the Chinese government so that they can become tolerant.
Reporter: When I contacted the Federal State Council, an official told me that
they sympathized with our situation, but in order not to create an international
precedent, so that future US presidents would be likely to be sued, they handled
the lawsuit against Jiang in a reserved manner. What's your opinion on this
explanation?
McGovern: Actually, there has been precedent in the world that a country's
former leader was sued. Former Chilean president, and military strongman
Pinochet were sued at Spanish courts by human rights movement. I deeply believe
the International Law and think that any person must be held accountable for
violating human rights and committing genocide and the crime of war. I'm sorry
for the reply the State Council made to you, I feel that it is simply an excuse
for doing nothing. I think if the US truly represents something, the US should
stand up to uphold the human rights. That is to say, in face of brutal
suppression, not to be silent, not to be passive and do nothing about it. What
Falun Gong practitioners are facing is brutal suppression. This is an
inextinguishable fact. If the Bush government has other suggestions, I'm ready
to listen, but it should not be that when people are being persecuted, does not
do any practical things and only settles it perfunctorily. I cannot accept. I
think not only the US, the international community must also stand up and put
pressure on China.
Reporter: Recently, a former Massachusetts resident, American citizen Charles
Li was arrested on January 22 upon his arrival at an airport on his trip back to
China to visit his parents, and was detained and sentenced by the Chinese
authorities for "preparing to sabotage TV broadcasting system." In order to
protest inhumane treatment and the Chinese government's persecution of Falun
Gong, Charles Li began a hunger strike on May 27, and was force-fed. Would you
please tell how you view this thing?
McGovern: The only mistake Mr. Li made is that he took the airplane to China
and got off the plane. I again feel sorry, because we are talking about an
American citizen. The US government not only needs to show concern for the
American citizen, but also needs to try their best to protect American citizens.
For this instance, I think Bush president and State Secretary Powell should
immediately raise the case with the Chinese government. Charles Li is an
American citizen, and the US government must protect American citizens.
[...]
Chinese version available at
http://minghui.ca/mh/articles/2003/6/20/52610.html