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Jiang Zemin and Cohorts on Canada’s RCMP Watchlist For Persecuting Falun Gong
(1/20/2004 23:15)[ CORRECTED Jan. 21, 2004 12:20p ]
OTTAWA (FDI) –The names of former Chinese leader Jiang Zemin and other high officials have been placed on a watchlist with Canada’s Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Program (CAHWCP), a news conference revealed today.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) confirmed that a file has been opened with the War Crimes Unit. In the event that a perpetrator of atrocities against Falun Gong practitioners lands in Canada, prompt investigation will be conducted.
Canada is not, and will not become, a safe haven for persons who have committed war crimes, crimes against humanity, or other reprehensible acts regardless of when or where they were committed. - CAHWCP’s 5th annual report
Chinese officials who are responsible for the genocide against Falun Gong—if they attempt to go to Canada—would be subject to the CAHWCP process that may lead to barring from entry, denial of visas, deportation, and prosecution for crime against humanity.
Mr. David Matas, renowned international human rights lawyer, and the Falun Dafa Association of Canada conducted the briefing at a news conference at the Canadian Parliament.
“The Immigration and Refugee Protection Act renders inadmissible to Canada any person who there is reasonable grounds to believe has committed a crime against humanity outside Canada,” said Mr. Matas in a letter to three high Ministers. “Indeed, the evidence indicates that Jiang Zemin and the others listed were instigators of the offences.”
The initial list of 15 names, together with evidence of their crimes, was submitted to Canadian officials in the CAHWCP last September, with an additional 30 names submitted today.
“Canadian officials will continue to receive more names and evidence—the number of Chinese officials, police, and guards who participate in the systematic elimination of Falun Gong practitioners is in the tens of thousands,“ said Xun Li, President of the Falun Dafa Association of Canada.
Alex Neve, Secretary General of Amnesty International Canada, and Rob Anders, Member of Parliament, expressed their support in their written statements.
“…it is a global responsibility. All nations have a responsibility to stand up for and deliver justice, no matter where human rights violations have taken place,” said Mr. Neve.
Background on Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Program (CAHWCP)
According to CAHWCP’s fifth annual report (http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/pub/war2002), the policy of the Canadian Government is unequivocal that Canada is not, and will not become, a safe haven for persons who have committed war crimes, crimes against humanity, or other reprehensible acts regardless of when or where they were committed.
During the fiscal year 2001-2002 alone, 445 individuals were denied entry into Canada, 46 persons were removed from Canada, and 3,983 cases were under investigation.
Falun Gong and The Persecution in China
Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a practice of meditation and exercises with teachings based on the universal principle of “Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance.” Practiced in over 50 countries worldwide, Falun Gong has roots in traditional Chinese culture.
Since July 1999, Amnesty International, other human rights groups, and various world media have widely reported the inhumane persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China. The former leader of China, Jiang Zemin, has implemented a policy against Falun Gong practitioners of “Destroy their reputation, bankrupt them financially, and annihilate them physically” in Mainland China—a campaign of genocide.
The lives of millions of Falun Gong families have been destroyed. To date hundreds of thousands have been detained and more than 100,000 have been sentenced to forced labor camps without trial. According to government sources, the death toll of Falun Gong practitioners is over 1,600.
(1/20/2004 23:15)
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Contacts: Gail Rachlin (+1 917-757-9780), Levi Browde (+1 646-415-0998), Erping Zhang (+1 646-533-6147), or Christina Chai (+1 917-386-5068).
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