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US Congressman Frank Wolf: Neutrality Helps the Oppressor and Silence Encourages the Tormentor
(Clearwisdom.net) On July 22, 2003, US Congressman and
Chairman of Congressional Human Rights Caucus Frank Wolf from Virginia wrote in
the statement of support to the Washington DC Rally that "As we speak out
for human rights and religious freedom, our words can be a light for the
persecuted who languish in the darkness. "
He said in his statement, "Over the last four years
China has detained hundreds of thousands Falun Gong practitioners. Detainees
endure severe abuse and torture, women are often raped. Hundreds have died in
forced labor camps. Falun Gong practitioners have suffered greatly at the hands
of Chinese officials. It is time for the state-sponsored, state-led persecution
in China to stop."
"Rule of law is nonexistent in China. Trials often take
place in secrecy and violate international judicial standards such as due
process and affording the accused a right to appeal. "
"Approximately 230,000 people are serving sentences in
"reeducation through labor camps" where people can be arbitrarily
detained for up to three years without a trial. Conditions in these gulags are
deplorable."
"America must be a country that stands up for basic
decency and human rights. America must speak out on behalf of those who cannot
speak for themselves --men and women who are being persecuted on account of
their religious or political beliefs. Our foreign policy must be a policy that
helps promote human rights and freedom. Not a policy that sides with dictators
who oppress their own citizens in order to increase our commercial
prosperity."
He said, "As we speak for human rights and religious
freedom, our words can be a light for the persecuted who languish in the
darkness. Those suffering persecution are encouraged when the United States
speaks out on their behalf."
He ended up his statement with a quote from Elie Weisel's
1986 acceptance speech when he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize:
"the world did know and remained silent... We must
always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence
encourages the tormentor, never the tormented... Wherever men or women are
persecuted because of their race, religion, or political views, that place must
--at that moment-become the center of the universe."
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