Letter from U. S. Senator Barbara Boxer to a Falun Gong Practitioner

September 12, 2001

Dear Mr. XXX:

Thank you for your thoughtful letter regarding China's mistreatment of Falun Gong practitioners. I appreciate the opportunity to address your concerns.

As you may know, I was one of seven United States senators who wrote to Chinese President Jiang Zemin to express dismay over the arrests of Falun Gong adherents and demand their immediate release. I also supported a resolution in the 106th Congress calling for an end to the harassment, detention, and abuse of Chinese prisoners of conscience. As a leading advocate of international human rights, I will continue to fight for legislation protecting freedom of thought, conscience, and religion.

Please be assured that I will closely monitor the situation in China. Thank you for writing, and I hope you will continue to be in touch with me about matters of importance to you.

Sincerely,

Barbara Boxer
United States Senator (California)