SENATOR URSULA STEPHENS
Senator for New South Wales
The Hon Alexander Downer,
MP Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade
I00 King William Street
Adelaide SA 5000
Tuesday, 29 October 2002
Dear Minister,
I am writing regarding a request I received from a constituent, and to express
my concern at the situation of Falun Gong practitioners in China.
I recently received a letter from Bill Wiegerinck and Esther Wang. Ms Wang
and her family are practitioners of Falun Gong. In July 2000, this letter states,
Esther’s mother was arrested outside of her home in Chongqing China and sentenced
to 3 years in prison for distributing Falun Gong fliers. Ms Wang’ sister and
brother-in-law were also apparently arrested in January 2002 for gathering in
a park outside of Chongqing with a group of Falun Gong practitioners. I am told
that her sister has been sentenced to 2 years in prison for exercising her right
of assembly and spiritual belief, and that she has not had the opportunity for
a court hearing or for legal representation.
Falun Gong practitioners in China are clearly subject to abuses of human rights
which should be of concern to us. As is apparent in the letter I received, this
is also touching Australian families who have lost contact with, and are anxious
about, family members in China.
I am writing to draw your attention to the situation of this family (I have
enclosed their letter), and to express my concern regarding the human rights
of Falun Gong practitioners in China.
Kind regards,
Senator Ursula Stephens
Posting date: 7/Nov/2002
Original article date: 29/Oct/2002
Category: Recognitions & Supports
