Reid Calls on Paul Martin to Stand Up for Human Rights in China

Ottawa – Today, Scott Reid, MP, called on Prime Minister Paul Martin to demand the immediate release of eighteen Falun Gong practitioners with family ties to Canada who are prisoners of conscience in China. Chinese President Hu Jintao will meet with Prime Minister Martin next week during a visit to Canada.

“Paul Martin must not lose this unique opportunity to push for the release of eighteen peaceful citizens, who are guilty only of expressing the universal values of truth, compassion, and tolerance,” Reid stated.

In 2002, Parliament voted unanimously in favour of a motion, put forward by Reid, that called on Prime Minister Chretien (who was scheduled to meet with then-President Jiang Zemin) to request that China release thirteen Falun Gong practitioners with family ties to Canada, and to allow them to be reunited in Canada with their families. Thanks to this pressure, and to the hard work of our embassy officials, eight were set free within a year, and many of the thirteen now reside peacefully in Canada.

“Canadians know that this kind of pressure produces results,” Reid stated. “This is Paul Martin’s chance to show that Human Rights in China are a top priority for his government, just as they are for so many Canadians who have family links to China.”

Of the eighteen individuals with close Canadian family ties, as listed by the Falun Dafa Association of Canada, three were on Parliament’s 2002 list. A fourth, Mingli Lin, was released from prison, but the Canadian consulate in Shanghai has refused to grant him a visa to enter Canada and re-unite with family. Reid has repeatedly urged the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration to expedite the visa, given the danger posed to Mr. Lin, and has repeatedly drawn attention to the fact that refusing to grant him an entry visa amounts to Contempt of Parliament, for violating a unanimous resolution of the House of Commons.

“It’s shameful for the Canadian government to continue to refuse Mingli Lin a visa for immediate entry into Canada, despite the fact that Parliament voted to allow Mr. Lin to re-unite with his family,” Reid concluded. “Our government’s inaction is endangering the life of Mr. Lin, and those of countless other Falun Gong practitioners in China.”

To Download the Fact Sheet on
Chinese Falun Gong practitioners
Click Here

For more information or to speak with Mr. Reid
Please call (613) 257-8130 or (613) 947-2277.

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