Join supporters of democracy and freedom of speech in a "Great Wall of
Dignity" in Sydney’s CBD this Thursday.
The action is to draw attention
to the erosion of our democratic foundation by the issuing of certificates by
our foreign minister to curtail peaceful protests in Canberra’s Embassy district
on the basis that exposing gross human rights abuses happening on foreign soil
‘impairs the dignity of the Embassy’.
In the specific case of the appeal
by Australian supporters of the Falun Gong spiritual movement in front of the
Chinese Embassy, banners, audio, even signage on cars are restricted in favour
of China’s communist regime.
China, "a major human rights scoundrel",
as described by the United Nations Commission for Human Rights is under the rule
of one of the most oppressive regimes, despite its economic advances for a favoured
few.
Falun Gong, one of the most severely persecuted groups in China, has
been victim to a systematic policy of genocide under the orders of China’s communist
leaders since 1999. During the restrictions by Foreign Minister Alexander Downer
beginning in March 2002, at least 1927 Falun Gong practitioners have been tortured
to death.
The peaceful appeal is a window for the hundreds of daily visitors
at the Embassy from the Chinese Mainland, who would never have such a chance in
their own country due to the one-party state-run propaganda, to know the truth
about Falun Gong and the torture and killing happening to Falun Gong practitioners
every day in China.
As the ‘Lucky Country’ there is a distance between
us and the hardship and violence experienced under totalitarian regimes. However,
when our country’s democratic foundation built upon freedom and a fair go for
all is harmed by a foreign dictatorship we should stand up for the dignity of
the Australian people.
Time: 11:30 am to 3:00 pm, Thursday 13th October
2005
Location: Macquarie street, through Hunter street, and to George street,
(between Hunter street to King street)
