Dear Ms Cuiying Zhang:

I thank you for your letter of 9 September 2001 concerning the persecution of the Falun Gong practitioners in China and for the enclosed booklet. I appreciate having copies of your paintings and of the accompanying documents.

The account of your experiences in China is very moving and confirms what we already know of this subject. The European Parliament has denounced the actions of the Chinese government on many occasions and, in its Resolution of 5 July 2001 on Human Rights in the World in 2000 and EU Human Rights Policy, lays down in paragraph 113 that it

"Reiterates its call upon all States to end repression and discrimination against peaceful religious and philosophical minorities; urges, in particular. China to end the repression of the Falun Gong as well as its Islamic, Christian and Buddhist population."

I can assure you that we will continue to speak out on this matter until the situation is satisfactorily resolved.

NICOLE FONTAINE