Statement from the Waterloo Public Interest Research Group (WPIRG) in Canada

Hello, my name is Narina Nagra and I am the Coordinator of Programming and Volunteer Support for the Waterloo Public Interest Research Group (WPIRG). I am pleased to be here and speak on behalf of WPIRG.

WPIRG is a not-for-profit, student funded organization based on the University of Waterloo campus. Our mission is to provide a framework and support for students to research, educate, and take action on environmental and human rights issues. Groups of volunteers form "Action Groups" that focus on a particular issue in which participants share an interest. One of our committed and ongoing action groups is the UW Amnesty International group. They are a group of dedicated volunteers who are campaigning and raising awareness on campus about human rights abuses around the world. One of their ongoing campaigns is the human rights abuses faced by Falun Gong practitioners in China.

Falun Gong, an ancient spiritual practice, has been banned in China since June 1999. Since that time, Falun Gong practitioners have faced abhorrent persecution: -- At least 200 are dead due to torture in police custody -- 10,000 have been sent to labour camps without trial -- and over 50,000 have been arrested

Just a few weeks ago, 15 female followers were beaten and tortured to death around June 20 at the Wanjia labour camp near the northeastern city of Harbin.

And for what? China claims Falun Gong is an [slanderous term omitted]. Even aside from the issue if that is true or not, do they have the right to ban it and treat the followers in such ways? Human rights groups claim no, that it is against the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. But what about the governments? Jean Chretien and the Canadian government have not taken a firm stance on this issue. And why is that? So as not to jeopardize the trading relations between the countries? What if it were a Christian group being persecuted in the same manner? Would the response be the same?

I am once again disgraced at the reaction of the Canadian government and call on them to take a firm position of intolerance in regards to the torture, persecution and killings of thousands of innocent people by the Chinese government.

But followers and supporters around the world are not keeping silent. Thousands of courageous and determined people are demonstrating, protesting and putting pressure on governments. Such is the case with the women, men and children who will be taking part in the 150 km march from Waterloo to Toronto. I wish them all the best of luck in their weeklong walk. With continued pressure, dedication and determination with such actions as these, we must see the release of Falun Gong practitioners jailed and the end of the ban in China. WPIRG will continue to support this campaign until it has become a reality.

Thank you.