WHEREAS, in accordance with Berkeley Municipal Code section 3.68.070.A, It is the function of the Peace and Justice Commission to advise the Berkeley City Council and the Berkeley Unified School Board on all matters Relating to the City of Berkeley's role in issues of peace and social justice; and
WHEREAS, the Berkeley City Council has referred to the Peace and Justice Commission the issue of allegations of government oppression and violence against members of the Falun Gong in Berkeley's sister city, the Haidian District of Beijing, China; and
WHEREAS, Falun Gong is considered by its practitioners to be a form of exercise that draws energy into the body in order to maintain health and a peaceful approach to life; and
WHEREAS, a Falun Gong practitioner and resident of Berkeley has presented testimony to the Peace and Justice Commission regarding the alleged violations of human rights and persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in Berkeley's sister city, the Haidian District of Beijing, China; and
WHEREAS, "Amnesty International is calling on the Chinese government to stop the mass arbitrary detentions, unfair trials and other human rights violations resulting from the crackdown on the Falun Gong," (Amnesty International 23 March 2000, ASA 17/11/00).
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Peace and Justice Commission
recommends that the Council of the City of Berkeley send the attached letter (Attachment
B) to the mayor of our sister city, and to other
officials, to investigate and advise us on the situation; and appeal to the
Chinese government to resolve differences without resorting to violence.
á
ATTACHMENT B
Letter from Berkeley City Council to Head of Haidian District, Beijing, China
Mr. Li Jinshan
Head of Haidian District
Beijing Haidian Qu Ren Min Ban Gong Shi
Haidian Qu Xi San Huan Chang Wa 19
4th floor, Huangwan DaJiuDian
Beijing 100089
People's Republic of China
Dear Mr. Jinshan,
The City of Berkeley has established a sister city program for the purpose of promoting cultural and educational foreign exchange, to build international understanding and promote world peace. As part of this program we have established a sister city relationship with the Haidian District of Beijing.
We are concerned about reports by Falun Gong supporters that people being detained at the Haidian Detention Center are being subjected to beatings, the use of electrical shock batons, sexual molestation of female detainees, and other forms of torture, including an "icing" technique which involves being forced to stand outside in freezing temperatures while water is
Poured upon them.
The reports by Falun Gong supporters allege that at least two women who had been detained at the Haidian Detention Center have died as a result of mistreatment. It is alleged that one unidentified women in her sixties died as a result of frost bite after being subjected to the "icing" procedure, and that another women, named Zhao Xin, died on or about December 11, 2000, after months of suffering, as a result of injuries received from beatings that allegedly occurred at the Haidian Detention Center.
Falun Gong supporters have also alleged that on March 5, 2002 President Jiang Zemin ordered police to shoot Falun Gong practitioners who were caught distributing flyers, or putting up banners or posters. We ask that you investigate these allegations and advise us as to what has happened and why.
We further wish to appeal to you to resolve any differences that exist between the Chinese Government and the Falun Gong without resorting to violence.
CC:
Mr. Liu Qi, Mayor of Beijing
ZhengYi Lu,
Dongcheng Qu
Beijing 100744
People's Republic of China
Premier of the People's Republic of China
ZHU Rongji Zongli
Guowuyuan
9 Xihuangchengenbeijie
Beijing 100032
People's Republic of China
Director of the Jilin Provincial Department of Public Security
ZHAO YONGJI Tingzhang
Jilin Gong'anting
42 Xinfalun
Changchun 130051
Jilinsheng
People's Republic of China
Governor of the Jilin Provincial People's Government
HONG Hu Shengzhang
Jilingsheng Renmin Zhengfu
11 Xinfa Lu
Changechun 130051
Jilinsheng
People's Republic of China
Consulate of the People's Republic of China
1450 Laguna St.
San Francisco, CA 94115
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