August 7, 2005
Torture. Maybe death. That's what awaits Xiaoping Hu if she's returned to China, say a group of local fellow Falun Gong supporters.
Also known as Falun Dafa, 10 supporters were outside Deputy Prime Minister Anne McLellan's Edmonton office yesterday afternoon.
"It's an urgent situation," said Shar Chen. "It seems like our voice is not being heard."
They want McLellan's help. Hu, 54, came to Montreal two years ago on a visitor's visa to care for her ailing sister and later claimed refugee status. The Falun Dafa Association of Canada says language barriers and legal challenges kept her from asylum.
The Federal Court of Canada can review a refugee hearing decision if the claimant did not understand the proceedings. But the Federal Court turned down Hu's application on Wednesday.
Chen said Hu's friends in Montreal told her Hu was sent to Vancouver Friday, where she'll await deportation. It's not known whether Hu has left the country.
Not only is Hu a member of the Falun Gong, but she renounced communism, Chen said.
She's sent a letter to McLellan and Canadian Foreign Minister Pierre Pettigrew on Friday.
"There's only so much the Canadian government can do because of trade relations," added supporter Patrick Turc. "They don't want to annoy China."
Source http://www.edmontonsun.com/News/World/2005/08/07/1162875-sun.html
Category: Falun Dafa in the Media
