His Excellency Mr. Zhou Wenzhong

Ambassador

Embassy of the People's Republic of China

15 Coronation Drive

Yarralumla ACT 2600

Fax (02) 6273 4878

Dear Mr. Ambassador,

The continuing repression, arrest, and detention of Falun Gong (Falun Dafa) members in China is of increasing concern for the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU). Practitioners of Falun Gong are members of unions in Australia and have provided us with evidence of the extent of the repression in China.

At the moment, nearly 150 members of Falun Gong have died in police custody, some 10,000 have been sent to labour camps without trial, more than 50,000 have been detained illegally, and tens of thousands have lost their jobs, pensions, welfare benefits and homes because of their beliefs.

As you will be aware, the principle of freedom of association is a fundamental value and commitment of the international labour movement. Bans, attacks, imprisonment, and torture by the Government of the Republic of China on People of the Falun Gong movements, is a breach of this principle of the freedom of belief, association and statement.

Would you please convey to your Government the very serious concerns of the Australian unions with the actions of the Government of the Republic of China.

The continuance of the policy whereby people are dismissed from their work, are prevented from engaging in the work of their choice, and are condemned to labour camps because of their beliefs, could well be the basis of a complaint to the International Labour Organisations (ILO).

We urge your Government to lift this ban on Falun Gong without delay and to immediately release all jailed and detained Falun Gong practitioners.

Yours Sincerely

Sharan Burrow

President, ACTU

ACTU

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