(Clearwisdom.net) At 11am of January 20, representatives of the Canadian
Falun Dafa Association and renowned international human rights lawyer David
Matas jointly held a press conference at Parliament Hill. The press conference
revealed the details of how to hold people who have persecuted Falun Gong
accountable through Canada's Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Program. For violators, the application of this program could lead to refusal of visas
to Canada, cancellation of their Canadian citizenship and deportation, and
charges and punishment based on Canada's laws about Crimes Against Humanity and
War Crimes.
Criminals who have violated human rights should be held accountable
In a statement, Xun Li, spokesperson of the Canadian Falun Dafa Association,
pointed out that the persecution of Falun Gong launched by Jiang is a crime
against humanity and morality. The persecution has lasted more than 4 years and
has been escalating. It instigates hatred, financially bankrupts practitioners,
and uses torture and murder to systematically persecute Falun Gong. In the statement, Mr. Li said, "Jiang's regime has fabricated a lot lies
to frame Falun Gong and cover up the truth. At the same time, the international
community knows little about its crimes and the persecution's profound impact.
The help offered by the international community has not been enough so far to
stop the implementation of this form of genocide." Last September, the Canadian Falun Dafa Association submitted a document to
Canada's Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Program (CAHWCP). Including
Jiang Zemin, this file documented the crimes committed by 15 high-level Chinese
officials against Falun Gong and the related evidence. The Royal Canadian
Mounted Police (RCMP) confirmed that a file has been opened with the War Crimes
Unit. In the event that a perpetrator of atrocities against Falun Gong
practitioners lands in Canada, prompt investigation would be conducted. In the statement, Xun Li said that this is "encouraging", and he
said, "Falun Gong practitioners will continue to actively cooperate with
the implementation of related laws, and submit more names of criminals and
evidence. The number of criminals of this kind could reach up to tens of
thousands. Nevertheless, comparing with such a large scale persecution, this
number is just the tip of the iceberg." On the same day of the press
conference, the association provided another 30 criminals' names along with
evidence. At the end, the statement said, "The implementation of CAHWCP
deters those who are implementing the persecution, and it sends out a strong
message to them: The international community will take legal action against them
at any time. The criminals who have violated Falun Gong practitioners' human
rights will pay for what they have done. Their crime will be stopped."
Renowned human rights lawyer: This is just the first step
Renowned human rights lawyer David Matas said that this is the beginning of
"using Canada's legal system to bring these criminals that committed crimes
against humanity and torture to justice. The first step is to prevent all
persons who have persecuted Falun Gong from entering Canada. This includes Jiang
Zemin. "There is sufficient evidence to believe that these people have
committed crimes against humanity and had severe human rights violations,"
Matas said, "Immigration law requires forbidding this kind of person to
enter Canada." On the same day, Mr. Matas also sent letters to the heads of
the Canadian Ministry of Justice and Public Security, as well as the Immigration
Service. He also provided them with a list of those who have participated in the
persecution of Falun Gong.
Voice of MP and Amnesty International MP Rob Anders wrote a letter to support this action, stating that Canada
can't become the haven of these criminals and torturers. Secretary of Amnesty
International Canada Mr. Neve said that governments of all nations must bravely
employ all necessary measures to make sure all Chinese officials who have
participated human rights abuses are held accountable, no matter how
high-ranking they are.
The implication of holding criminals of persecution accountable in Canada
is significant
Xun Li talked about the implications of this action. He said, "Canada's
Crimes against Humanity and War Crimes Program is designated for war criminals
and those who commit crimes against humanity. This is a reflection of the
seriousness of the persecution." Mr. Li said, "This action is not only to condemn the persecution, but
also to use the legal system to take concrete action. This action will be a big
blow to some individuals and the Jiang regime, which is responsible for
persecuting Falun Gong. This will not only warn those who are participating in
the persecution, but also benefit the public security of Canada. Canadians don't
want to have murderers or rapists as neighbors." Finally, Xun Li called on
all kind-hearted people in China and overseas to report those who have
participated in the persecution, so that they will be brought to justice as soon
as possible. About 70 Falun Gong practitioners gathered in front of Parliament Hill to
support this press conference. Practitioners and members of Friends of Falun
Gong in Toronto and Vancouver also held their local press conferences to support
the Ottawa event.
Background information: Canadian Crimes against Humanity and War Crimes
Program
Since World War II, many people have immigrated to Canada. Among them, there
are some war criminals and people who have committed crimes against humanity. To
deal with this situation, in 1985, the Canadian government started to deploy
important measures inside Canada and overseas in order to make sure those
criminals won't escape from punishment. These measures include: Modification and
enforcement of related legislation, and creation of a special program which is
based on three institutions (Ministry of Justice, Immigration and Public
Security)-The Canada's Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Program. According
to Canada's Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes
Program 2001-2002 annual report: in that fiscal year, 445 people were not
granted visas to Canada, 46 were deported, 3983 cases (including cases took
place outside Canada) are being investigated.
Appeal
at Parliament Hill
Practitioners
demonstrating the Falun Gong exercises
Press
conference
Posting date: 1/24/2004
Original article date: 1/23/2004
Category: News & Media Reports
Chinese version available at http://minghui.ca/mh/articles/2004/1/22/65442.html