(Clearwisdom.net) In March 2007, The Supreme Court in New South Whales, Australia started to process the legal case against Jiang Zemin, who was sued by Ms. Zhang Cuiying, a Falun Gong practitioner. Many government and party leaders wrote to Ms. Zhang to support her.
So far, Ms. Zhang has received 47 letters from the leaders, who are concerned about the process of the case and the organ harvesting in China.
A letter from the Australian Government - Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet on March 27, 2007 said: "The Australian Government is deeply concerned about China's persecution of Falun Gong practitioners and considers the Chinese Government's ban on the group breaches fundamental international human rights standards. Australia regularly raises this issue with the Chinese Government, including through our annual Human Rights Dialogue. The Australian Government has also impressed on China the need to address allegations of organ harvesting from Falun Gong practitioners and suggested China allow an independent, credible investigation of these allegations. We will continue to raise these concerns with the Chinese Government."
A letter on May 2, 2007, from the Australian Opposition Leader, Kevin Rudd said: "Labor has noted with concern reports, including those of the US State Department and Amnesty International, about the Chinese Government's treatment of Falun Gong supporters. We are also aware of the Matas-Kilgour investigation and are deeply disturbed by its contents."
"We believe in rigorously raising issues such as the organ harvesting allegations with China, both through the Australia-China Human Rights Dialogue and directly for particular human rights cases."
"Labor will continue to raise human rights concerns with the Chinese Government and urge China to ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights as soon as possible. We believe in rigorously raising issues such as the organ harvesting allegations with China, both through the Australia-China Human Rights Dialogue and directly for particular human rights cases."
In a letter dated March 8, Ms. Lyn Allison, the leader of the Australian Democrats and Parliament Member said: "The Democrats are horrified by the stories of murder, torture and imprisonment of Falun Gong practitioners in China. Many Australian citizens have relatives in China who are being subjected to such persecution and we believe that the Australian Government must speak out on their behalf."
In a letter dated May 4, MP Allison said: "I encourage you to continue your work. The news of a possible international legal approach to this situation is very welcome. Countries must be held to account when they fail to uphold international law and to abide by international conventions; particularly when they deal with human rights and are, in many cases a matter of life or death.
I assure you that the Australian Democrats remain committed to your cause and I thank you for bringing the matter to our attention."
In a letter dated May 2, Christine Milne, the federal senator and leader of the Greens said: "Thank you for your letters dated the 26 January and the 19 February 2007 regarding the legal case lodged in the Supreme Court of NSW against Jiang Zemin, the former head of the Chinese Communist regime. I commend your courage in taking such action.
The Greens are deeply concerned about the Chinese Government's continued treatment of Falun Gong practitioners. Members of the Australian Government, including the Foreign Minister and the Prime Minister, are very willing to talk with their Chinese counterparts about trade and investment, but not about the basic human rights we espouse as a free and democratic country.
Australian Greens Senator Bob Brown and his Greens colleagues have made a number of comments in Parliament during their terms as Senators. The Australian Greens have been active in campaigns aimed at addressing a range of human rights abuses in China, Tibet and Taiwan.
During July 2006 Bob Brown asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs several questions regarding organ harvesting from Falun Gong Practitioners:
(1) What is the Government's response to compelling reports that prisoners in China are having their organs removed for commercial transplant purposes?
(2) (a) How many Australians have travelled to China to receive transplants in the past 10 years; and (b) in each case, what government checks were made to ensure that the organs used were not from prisoners; and
(3) Is any human tissue, -cells or -liquid imported to Australia, either directly or indirectly, from China; if so, can details be provided.
The Greens will continue to campaign against these human rights abuses both in Parliament and in the broader community."
State Environment Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr, expressed: "The Queensland Government supports the right of all people to live free from violence and human rights violations. The Queensland Government's Multicultural Policy reaffirms the Government's commitment to multiculturalism and the value placed on the rich diversity of Queensland society. Multiculturalism enables individuals and communities, including Falun Gong practitioners, to express and share their belief peacefully and harmoniously."
In the letter on March 27, Mr. Alexander Downer, the Minister of Foreign Affair Department, expressed: "The Australian Government takes the issue of Chinese persecution of Falun Gong very seriously. ... Australian government considers that China's ban on the group breaches fundamental international human rights standards, including the rights of free assembly and expression. The Australian Government regularly raises Chinese observance of fundamental human rights at senior levels, not only through our Embassy in Beijing and during high-level visits, but also annually at the Australia-China Human Rights dialogue, last held in Canberra on 25 July 2006.
The Government has impressed on China the need to address the organ harvesting allegations and suggested that one way to do this would be to allow an independent, credible investigator unfettered access to facilities of their choosing."
Michael Atkinson MP, Government of South Australia (Attorney-general, Minister for Justice, Minister for Multicultural Affairs), wrote to Ms. Zhang on April 4. In the letter, he said, "Freedom of religion is fundamental to a democratic, inclusive and open society, and the ban on Falun Gong and the treatment of its supporters in China in breach of international human rights standards.
I am saddened to hear that you have been detained and tortured because of your beliefs, and commend you on your courage and resilience in seeking justice, not only for yourself but also for other Falun Gong practitioners.
I wish you all the success in your efforts to bring those who have persecuted practitioners of Falun Gong to justice."
Many other government and party leaders also wrote to Ms. Zhang, expressing their concern and support.
Ms. Zhang had been jailed by the CCP for eight months because of her belief in Falun Gong. On September 15, 2004, Ms. Zhang Cuiying sued Jiang Zemin, the former leader of the CCP.
