Canadian MP Svend J Robinson Writes to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Calling for the Canadian Government to Oppose Article 23

December 12, 2002
Honourable Bill Graham, PC, MP
Minister of Foreign Affairs
418-N Centre Block
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6

Dear Bill,

I have recently been contacted by a number of Falun Gong practitioners and other concerned Canadians regarding the proposed enactment of "Article 23," also known as the "anti-subversion" law, in Hong Kong. As noted by Amnesty International and others, the proposed legislation, if passed into law, would seriously compromise the human rights and civil liberties enjoyed by the people of Hong Kong.

The Government of Hong Kong, in its proposals for legislation under Article 23, appears to be moving away from international human rights law, and threatening groups who would exercise their fundamental rights to freedom of thought, conscience, religion, and peaceful association with possible imprisonment.

As you are aware, when Hong Kong was returned to Chinese authority in 1997, it was with the assurance that it would retain considerable political autonomy under the "One Country, Two Systems" plan. Unfortunately, the proposed legislation under Article 23 would dramatically undermine this plan, by outlawing in Hong Kong groups that are outlawed under the People's Republic of China Central Government. This threat to civil liberties in Hong Kong is of legitimate concern to political and religious groups in that territory and around the world.

I would urge you to investigate this matter immediately, and to communicate to the Government of Hong Kong the deep concerns of the Canadian people for the protection of the democratic freedoms of all people in Hong Kong.

I look forward to your earliest possible reply to this important matter.

Sincerely yours,

Svend J Robinson, MP

Burnaby-Douglas

Volunteers Launch the "Blue Butterflies Signature-Collection Campaign" in Toronto Canada to Oppose Article 23.

December 13, 2002: The Preparatory Committee for the "Global Coalition Against Article 23 Legislation" was set up on December 4, 2002, in Washington, D.C. Volunteers in Toronto, which has the densest population of Chinese in Canada, launched the "Blue Butterflies Signature-Collection Campaign" to oppose Article 23.

They are going to many large malls to collect signatures while wearing blue butterfly armbands. The blue color symbolizes freedom, and the butterfly symbolizes peace. The purpose is to involve the public in opposing Article 23, in order to maintain a free and peaceful Hong Kong, in accordance with the agreement made on Hong Kong's return to Chinese authority. Any citizen from any nation around the world who cares about Hong Kong's future is welcome to sign.

The consultation period for Article 23 of the Hong Kong Basic Law will end on December 24, 2002. The Canadian representatives of the Coalition will hand in the signatures to the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Toronto, which will then transfer them to the Hong Kong Security Bureau. The signatures will also be sent to the Canadian Government.

The "Global Coalition Against Article 23 Legislation" will also hold a parade on Saturday, December 14, 2002, in the afternoon.

Opponents of Article 23 Hold Parades and Rallies Throughout Canada

On December 14, 2002, the "Global Coalition Against Article 23 Legislation" and people from all walks of life interested in maintaining Hong Kong's freedom held parades and rallies in Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal, to support the gathering in Washington, D.C. on that same day. These cities have a very large Chinese population. The non-governmental Human Rights Front will also have a large parade on Sunday in Hong Kong.

The "Against Article 23" parade was held in Toronto, at 2:00 pm on Saturday. There were about four hundred participants, including representatives from Canada-Hong Kong Link, the Toronto Association for Democracy in China, Dr. So Kengchit, and Falun Gong practitioners.

In Vancouver, the "Global Coalition Against Article 23 Legislation" held an "Against Article 23" rally in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery. In Montreal, at 1:00 pm on Sunday in Chinatown, the "Against Article 23" rally was at 2:00 pm. There was also a parade.

Taiwan Falun Dafa Association Calls on People from All Walks of Life to Oppose the Legislation of the Article 23 in Hong Kong.

The intention of the appeal is to point out that, although the Chinese government promised to keep the policy of "One Country, Two Systems" unchanged for fifty years, in only the fifth year, the proposed legislation of Article 23 subverts the initial agreement and will leave the citizens of Hong Kong living in fear. It crushes freedom and abolishes the rule of law that Hong Kong has enjoyed for a century. It also severely damages the international commercial interests of Hong Kong.

People from all walks of life in Hong Kong, from lawyers to taxi-drivers, from pastors to university professors, from the international banks to the medium and small size enterprises, are all involved in an intense publicity campaign to safeguard the "freedom without fear" that the city has long enjoyed. Taiwan has a very close relationship with Hong Kong, both in the daily life and in the commercial contacts between its citizens. We call upon all circles of society to firmly oppose the legislation of Article 23, which will undermine democracy and the economic health of Hong Kong. Hong Kong does not need Article 23, and Taiwan opposes it.

The Hong Kong government's proposed legislation of Article 23 might emanate from Beijing with Falun Gong as the intended target. However human rights knows no boundary. In the global village, many groups and many economic interests are so closely related. The tourist industry and the economies of Taiwan and Hong Kong are especially closely related.

We call upon all freedom loving people everywhere to immediately express your opposition to Article 23 to the Hong Kong Legislative Council, the Hong Kong Security Bureau, and the Hong Kong Justice Department

Today, if you safeguard the human rights and the freedom of others, then in the future, others will safeguard and protect your freedom and your human rights.

Sincerely,

The Taiwan Falun Dafa Association

December 12, 2002.

An Open Letter from the Australia Falun Dafa Association to the Hong Kong SAR Government about the Legislation of Article 23

Ever since the Hong Kong government introduced Article 23 for consultation on September 24, 2002, it has received an intense response. We also feel deep concern about this attempt to modify the law.

All of the concepts and terms used in the Article, such as "state secret," "subversion," "treason," and "sedition" are the same as the charges used presently in the People Republic of China (PRC). For example, such terms as to "destroy state safety and stability," "divulge state secrets," and "disturb the social order," are used to arrest people who hold different opinions, or to prohibit or ban organizations that the PRC opposes. In the PRC peaceful appeals to government leaders are seen as "counter-revolutionary crimes" that are anti-government. Anyone who appeals can be jailed at any time. Zhu Keming, who is a permanent resident in Hong Kong and also a Falun Gong practitioner, was arrested by the public security bureau and sentenced to five years' imprisonment for suing Jiang Zemin using procedures that are provided under the law. He was severely tortured in jail. The legislation of Article 23 will also enable the government of Hong Kong to use the law to punish any organization, media, or person who is not approved by the central authority in China.

Millions of Falun Gong practitioners in China, simply because they refuse to give up their belief in "Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance," are charged with the crimes of "damaging the State's safety and stability," "threatening society," and "disturbing the social order." They are brainwashed and tortured in psychiatric hospitals, illegally jailed, sentenced, sent to labor camps, and even tortured to death. Over three years of persecution has demonstrated the true nature of the "state safety and stability" of this regime of tyranny.

According to Article 23 of the Basic Law "to prohibit foreign political organizations or bodies from conducting political activities in the Region, and to prohibit political organizations or bodies of the Region from establishing ties with foreign political organizations or bodies," will result in an unlawful ban of Falun Gong in Hong Kong. In fact, the nature of Article 23 is all too clear now that the 16 Hong Kong Falun Gong practitioners have been found guilty of blocking the street., and the Falun Gong blacklist has came to light during Jiang's visit to Hong Kong in June. Jiang's dictatorship is impatient to spread the persecution of Falun Gong to Hong Kong and then export it from Hong Kong to western democratic countries. However, it is not only the peaceful Falun Gong practitioners who will be attacked, but also many other peaceful organizations. In fact any person who holds a different opinion may come under attack.. The human rights and freedom of any foreigner who lives in and does business in Hong Kong will also be threatened and attacked.

The legislation of Article 23 influences not only the interests of the seven million people in Hong Kong, but also the common interests of the world's people. The legislation of Article 23 means that the autocracy, totalitarianism, tyranny, and tragedy of all that is the PRC will be repeated in Hong Kong. It means the complete abandonment of the Chinese government's policy of "One Country, Two Systems without change for fifty years." The good reputation and image of Hong Kong as the "pearl of the orient", and its freedom, democracy and prosperity will no longer exist. Article 23 will be the final crushing blows to an economy that has already been in decline for the past five years and to the freedom, democracy and safety Hong Kong still enjoys today.

We sincerely hope that the Hong Kong SAR government will think about the fundamental interests of the seven million people of Hong Kong, and about the democracy, freedom and prosperity of the people of Hong Kong. We hope that the Hong Kong SAR government will rationally and firmly refuse to pass the legislation of Article 23 of the Basic Law.

Australia Falun Dafa Association

December 14, 2002

The Friends of Falun Gong in British Columbia Issue a Press release About the Legislation of Hong Kong Article 23

The Friends of Falun Gong in British Columbia issued a press release reporting on the much-debated legislation of Article 23. Article 23 has been written because of strong pressure from China. If it is enacted, Hong Kong will have to ban all organizations that the Chinese government decides are detrimental to the state's safety. This completely contradicts the principle of "One Country, Two Systems" and the autonomy guaranteed to Hong Kong when it was turned over to Chinese authority.

The press release also pointed out that under this law, Falun Gong practitioners would become the first victims of the legislation. Falun Gong is a peaceful cultivation for both mind and body, based on the principle of "Truthfulness, Compassion, Tolerance." This practice has been well received and is highly respected all over the world. Because of the severe persecution by Jiang's Regime, in all the places within its reach, Falun Gong has been slandered and persecuted. Falun Gong practitioners, and all those who respect freedom of belief worldwide, would not like to see an extension of the persecution and of attacks on people for exercising their basic human rights.

The press release calls upon the Canadian Chinese to sign their names on an appeal letter on the Internet organized by over 30 non-governmental organizations. The address for the Internet site is: http://www.article23.org.hk/english/main.htm

Let the whole world unite in opposition to this overt suppression of democracy and freedom.