Letter to Members of U.S. Congress Regarding Charles Li from "World
Organization to Investigate the Persecution of Falun Gong"
February
6, 2003
We are writing
to you regarding the imprisonment of a U.S. citizen, Mr. Charles Li, in China.
Mr. Li was arrested right after his arrival at China's Guangzhou Airport on
January 22, 2003, on charges of "sabotaging television and radio broadcast
systems", accusations which he vehemently denies. Mr. Li maintains that he
has been arrested solely because he is a Falun Gong practitioner.
Our
organization, World Organization to Investigate the Persecution of Falun Gong
("WOIPFLG"), is dedicated to protecting the human rights of Falun
Gong practitioners around the world and to investigate and expose violations of
those rights. We find the Chinese authority's claims unacceptable at best and
have reason to fear for Mr. Li's well-being and safety.
On February 4,
WOIPFLG launched a special investigation into the crimes of killing
practitioners of Falun Gong. From August 16, 1999 to February 4, 2003, the
verified death toll of practitioners (with names) is 526. However, according to
internal government statistics, the actual death toll had reached 1,600 by the
end of 2001.
The existing
public security and judicial departments in China have failed to demonstrate
the ability and the moral courage to impartially and professionally investigate
any of these death cases or other forms of illegal persecution of Falun Gong
practitioners. It is well known that China routinely denies Falun Gong
practitioners due process, and when they are tried the verdict is
predetermined. Clearly, we cannot stand by to watch Mr. Li being trapped in
this flawed Chinese legal system and allow the People's Republic of China to
mistreat a citizen of our nation. For this reason, we urge you to do everything
possible within your power to ensure that Mr. Li is released immediately and
returned to the United States safely and promptly. Your voice will make a
difference. We have a recent successful case to attest to this.
Nancy Chen, an
Australian Falun Gong practitioner, was kidnapped by the Chinese National
Security Department in Chengdu, China on the same day of Mr. Li's arrest. She
was released eight days later on January 30 as a result of the tremendous
rescue effort put forth by her family and friends, the local and international
communities, and the media. Most notably, the elected government officials and
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Australia played a key role in securing Mrs.
Chen's release.
Our
organization is following Mr. Li's case closely. It is absolutely essential
that we send a clear message to the Chinese authorities that the United States
will not accept their blatant violation of the rights of Falun Gong
practitioners, and that Mr. Li must be released immediately and
unconditionally.
Thank you for
your attention to this most urgent matter.
Very truly
yours,
John Jaw
President