Paris, Wednesday, December 12^th 2001

Philippe CHAULET
Mayor of BOUILLANTE City
Consul-General of BOUILLANTE
Deputy of GUADELOUPE

RE: Human Rights in China

Dear Mr. President,

I had the honour to receive your letter dated November 18, 2001 wherein you drew my attention to the repression organized by the Chinese authorities against Falun Gong practitioners, who are arbitrarily detained, forced into mental hospitals, even tortured and killed.

I cannot remain silent when faced with the repression campaign led against those people - for the mere reason that they belong to a spiritual movement - and I was sincerely angered by the testimonies which you recounted to me.

As you know, France and the European Union have already taken a stand against those actions that violate our fundamental principles.

I will pass your mail to the France-China Friendship Group in French Parliament, in order to allow for a massive mobilization within our Parliament on this delicate issue.

In any case, these serious human rights violations require us to remain vigilant at every moment.

Please receive, Dear Mr. President, my kindest regards.