Radio Free Asia (RFA): Canadian Prime Minister Promises to Discuss China's Human Rights Issues with Hu Jintao

(Clearwisdom.net) The Canadian Prime Minister promised to discuss China's human rights issues with the head of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Hu Jintao, during his state visit to Canada. Falun Gong practitioners requested the Canadian government to deny entry to Minister of Commerce Bo Xilai. Chairman of Canadian Falun Dafa Association Li Xun expressed that Bo Xilai has been found guilty of persecuting Falun Gong practitioners by a court of law, and it would be a disgrace if Canada received a criminal.

According to RFA's report on September 2, 2005, Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin publicly promised that when the head of the CCP, Hu Jintao, comes to visit Canada, he would discuss China's human rights issues with him. Prime Minister Martin said that he believed the CCP understood that without progress in the field of human rights, simply pursuing reform in other areas would be not enough.

According to an itinerary officially released by the Canadian authorities, Hu Jintao will conduct a state visit to Canada on September 8-11, and 16-17, 2005. Hu Jintao will arrive in Ottawa, the capital of Canada on September 8 to attend a welcome ceremony and state banquet hosted by the Governor General of Canada, Adrienne Clarkson. On September 9, Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin and related cabinet members will have an official talk with Hu Jintao. Topics for discussion will include bilateral relationships and important international issues. Martin expressed that the human rights issue has been officially listed as one of topics for discussion.

Prime Minister Martin stated that they will definitely discuss issues important to both countries, and they also hoped to see that China makes important progress in the field of human rights.

Canadian Falun Gong practitioners held a press conference in front of Parliament Hill, requesting the government to deny entry to Minister of Commerce Bo Xilai who is to accompany Hu Jintao. Bo Xilai has been sued in several countries by Falun Gong practitioners for his role in the brutal persecution of Falun Gong. During his term as Dalian City Mayor, City Party Committee Secretary and Governor of Liaoning Province, Bo Xilai participated in the persecution of Falun Gong, which made Liaoning Province one of the provinces where the persecution of Falun Gong has been the most severe.

On July 28, 2004, the U.S. District of Columbia Court convicted Bo Xilai for crimes of torture and murder. In March 2004, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police included Bo Xilai on a list of 45 CCP officials who persecute Falun Gong.

Chairman of the Canadian Falun Dafa Association Li Xun expressed that Bo Xilai has been found guilty by the court. If Canada officially receives a criminal, it would be a disgrace.

Canadian MP and former Secretary of State, David Kilgour, expressed at the press conference that Falun Gong is legal in any other country around the world, but it has been subjected to brutal persecution in China. He called upon the CCP authorities to respect people's basic human rights and stop the persecution.

(Compiled according to RFA correspondent Xi Hong's report)

Chinese version available at http://minghui.ca/mh/articles/2005/9/3/109689.html

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