OTTAWA, MONTREAL -- Today, August 1, 2001, under the 33 degree burning sun, Professor, MP, and human rights lawyer Irwin Cotler and MP Scott Reid and their assistants joined Ms. Jinyu Li and her vigil outside the Chinese Embassy from 12:30pm to 1:30pm to demand the unconditional release of Jingyu's husband Shenli Lin, a prisoner of conscience. Sixty people from Montreal and Ottawa joined the vigil as well.
For 18 months Jinyu Li, a Canadian citizen from Montreal, has petitioned for her husband's release. Her husband Mr. Shenli Lin has been suffering in a Chinese labor camp for the past 18 months for being a Falun Gong practitioner. He was due to be released on July 23rd. However, his sentence was arbitrarily extended on that day with no reason given. Jinyu's dream to reunite with her husband in Canada was shattered. Since July 25, Jingyu has been holding a round-the-clock vigil in front of the Chinese Embassy in Ottawa to appeal for her husband's release.
Four others in her family have also been arrested a total of 14 times in the past year in China for being Falun Gong practitioners. Shenli's brother was recently sent to the same labor camp, with a two year term.
"There are three reasons we are here today," said Mr. Cotler. "First, to express our solidarity with Jinyu Li and support for Shenli Lin's case and cause. Second, to appeal to Chinese authorities to release Shenli Lin and permit him to be reunited with his wife here in Canada; and third, to call upon the Chinese government to honour their international undertakings, and to cease and desist from the prosecution and persecution of those Falun Gong practitioners like Shenli Lin who seek to do nothing else but give expression to the ancient Chinese values of Truth, Compassion, and Tolerance."
"I am proud and honoured to be able to support Jinyu Li in her brave struggle for her husband's freedom," said Reid, "It is through such personal sacrifices that awareness is raised, and public pressure is built to call upon Chinese authorities to stop their persecution of Falun Gong practitioners."
"I demand that the Chinese government immediately release my husband and his brother, and stop the mass killing of Falun Gong practitioners. I call on all Canadians to help me end the atrocity that is taking place in China", said Jinyu.
Amnesty International of Canada has re-launched a letter-writing campaign to appeal for Shenli and protest his extended term in labor camp. http://www.amnesty.ca/stoptorture/China_shenli.htm
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Category: Voices of Support Worldwide
