29 March 2005
Re: Falun Gong and the Right to Free Speech
I write
to you concerning some recent contributions I have made in the Parliament on Falun
Gong and the freedom of speech.
The freedoms of speech and religious expression
are ones I hold to be dear. They are a big part of the reason that so many generations
of migrants from south east Asia and the Middle East have chosen to call Australia
home. Therefore it is incumbent on us all to remain vigilant in this regard; to
ensure that everyone can enjoy the basic human rights that at times we take for
granted.
I have put a Questions on Notice to the Minister for Foreign Affairs,
asking him to explain the issuing of Diplomatic Privileges and Immunities Certificates
to prevent the display of Falun Gong banners outside the Chinese Embassy.
Yesterday
evening I made comment on Falun Gong during an adjournment debate, expressing
particular concern at the actions of the Minister for Foreign Affairs in denying
Falun Gong practitioners the right to protest in front of the Chinese Embassy.
I
include for your information, copies of the Question on Notice and the adjournment
debate speech.
If I can be of further assistance on any similar matters,
then please do not hesitate to contact me.
Yours sincerely
Chris
Bowen MP
————————————-
Adjournment:
Human Rights: Falun Gong
Mr Bowen (Prospect) (10:50 p.m.) – Tonight
I would like to address two related issues: human rights and freedom of speech
both in Australia and overseas. For the past two years, the Minister for Foreign
Affairs has banned the group Falun Gong from protesting outside the Chinese Embassy.
Falun Gong is a peaceful group which has non-violence at its core. I find it frankly
appalling that this government has such a low regard for freedom of speech that
it is willing to ban peaceful demonstrations. Last week I decided to raise this
matter in the debate tonight. I then read an excellent article by Mike Steketee
in the Weekend Australian last Saturday, I congratulate him on his article, which
is an excellent analysis of the issues concerned. We do not need to be adherents
of Falun Gong to be offended by this minister’s actions. I am not an adherent
and I am deeply offended. All people who value freedom of expression will be outraged
by this ban. I call on the Minister for Foreign Affairs to lift this ban and to
respect the right of these Australian citizens to protest peacefully.
On
a related matter, I would like to make some comments about the proposed Australia-China
free trade agreement. I spoke on the motion on this agreement last week in the
House, but my time expired before I was able to make a couple of points which
I think are important. An essential part of any trade agreement must be the free
flow of information and knowledge. We all remember the vigorous debate that surrounded
the Australia-US Free Trade Agreement in relation to Australian content on television.
If this agreement is to be real, there must be a similar discussion. China must
open its borders to Australian publications, even those critical of the Chinese
government.
I support the proposed agreement in principle as being good
for Australia and good for China. I do not refer simply to economics. An agreement
like this could help open up China and make it more outward looking, open-minded
society. That is something all fair-minded people would welcome – not only the
free flow of information into China but the free flow of information out of China
as well. It is of course often very difficult to get information on matters relating
to Tibet, Falun Gong and other human rights matters out of China. Perhaps a free
trade agreement might mean even a minor improvement in the flow of information
into and out of China. I hope so, but I will not be holding my breath.
Question
on Notice (10/3/05):
No. 790 MR BOWEN: To ask the Minister for Foreign
Affairs –
(1) Can he confirm that he has issued Diplomatic Privileges and
Immunity Certificates each month since 16 March 2002 preventing the display of
Falun Gong protest banners outside the Chinese embassy.
(2) Is it the case
that Australia has been the only country to issue these certificates under the
Vienna Convention preventing Falun Gong from protesting outside the Chinese Embassy.
(3)
What representations did he receive from the Chinese embassy leading him to issue
the certificates.
Posting date: 17/Apr/2005
Original article date:
16/Apr/2005
Category: Australian News
