Letter from Yvon Godin, MP to the Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs

August 20, 2001

The Honourable John Manley, PC, MP
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Room 418-N, Centre Block
House of Commons

Ottawa ONá K1A 0A6

Dear Minister,

I am writing to draw your attention to the case of Shenli Lin, who has been held in a labour camp near Shanghai for more than 18 months. Mr. Lin is the husband of Mrs. Jinyu Li from Montréal.

Mr. Lin was detained without trial for supporting Falun Gong, a popular meditative exercise that was outlawed by China in 1999. Mrs. Li, a Canadian citizen, hasn't seen her husband since the couple was detained while trying to defend Falun Gong at a public appeals office in Beijing in December 1999. She was ordered out of the country, but he was arrested.

Mr. Lin was to be released July 23 but his term was extended another six months without explanation. I appeal to you to approach the Chinese authorities about Mr. Lin's release, so that he can be free and be with his wife and family.

Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. I hope to hear from you very shortly.

Yours sincerely,

Yvon Godin, MP

Acadie--Bathurst

CEP/cc

cc: Jinyu Li