(Minghui.org) “I dream of a day when all Chinese citizens will enjoy the freedom of speech and assembly – all of the democratic rights that we in Canada too often take for granted. I dream of a day when human rights advocates are no longer considered enemies of the Chinese state, a day when Chinese television no longer broadcasts confessions obtained through blackmail and torture, a day when political prisoners are no longer subject to organ harvesting, a day when the tenants of Falun Dafa – or Falun Gong – can be speaking aloud at Tiananmen Square of Zhen Shan Ren – Truthfulness, Compassion, Tolerance.”
Video message of Peter Kent MP
These remarks were made by Peter Kent, member of Parliament (MP) and former Minister of Environment in Canada. Twenty-two years ago after the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) arrested several Falun Gong practitioners in Tianjin, about 10,000 practitioners peacefully gathered in Beijing on April 25, 1999, to peacefully appeal for their freedom of belief. Three months later the CCP launched a nationwide persecution that is still going on today.
MP Kent addressed an event held by Falun Gong practitioners in April 2019.
Every year since then practitioners around the world have held activities to commemorate the April 25th Appeal, calling to end the brutal persecution in China. Judy Sgro MP also praised practitioners’ efforts to safeguard the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.
Extrajudicial Arrest, Torture, Organ Harvesting and Death
When he became chair of the Parliamentary Friends of Falun Gong in 2011, Kent said there were signs that China might end the suppression of Falun Gong. “There were also indications that the CCP seemed to take legal actions against the human rights perpetrators,” said Kent.
“Unfortunately, the extrajudicial arrest, torture, organ harvesting, and death in custody, have re-surged in recent years. Victims and victims’ families have been denied legal rights,” he said.
“We remember the events of April 25, 1999, when Falun Gong practitioners peacefully appealed at Tiananmen Square for the freedom of practicing their philosophy in China. We will remember April 25, the persecution, torture, terror, murder of practitioners since then,” he said.
Universal Principles
Judy Sgro MP is the chair of the Standing Committee on International Trade and Chair on the Canadian House of Commons Liaison Committee.
Judy Sgro MP recently wrote to Falun Gong to commemorate the April 25 Appeal.
“As one of the Co-Chairs of the Falun Gong Parliamentary Friendship Group I stand in solidarity with the Canadian Falun Gong practitioners on the occasion of 4.25,” she wrote, “This day recognizes the peaceful appeal aimed at exercising the basic human rights enshrined by the UN International Covenant for Civil and Political Rights.”
“I am disheartened that, during such a difficult time, that persecution continues to occur when the COVID-19 pandemic is sweeping across the world,” she wrote. In Canada, Falun Gong practitioners have the right and ability to practice their faith and rituals in peace and security.
“Unfortunately, this is not the case everywhere and sadly too many non-violent and devout practitioners live in darkness and under the constant threat of persecution and even death,” she added.
Letter from Judy Sgro MP
She called on Canadians to help bring about the changes needed to right these terrible wrongs. “I commend the Falun Gong practitioners for their unwavering commitment to safeguard the universal principles of ‘Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance’,” wrote Sgro.
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Category: April 25 Events
