November 28, 2001

Dear Editor:

I thank the Mississauga News for covering my return to Canada. I also thank everyone who expressed happiness for my safe return.

Most of all, I thank Dorthea Sheasby for her letter to the editor. I feel her comments are important and need to be addressed.

Falun Gong and its principles of Truthfulness, Compassion and Tolerance is part of Chinese culture.

The Chinese government does not consider Falun Gong a [Jiang Zemin government's slanderous term omitted]. For years, in fact, the Chinese government respected and awarded Falun Gong for the benefits it brought to individuals and society.

In 1999 a survey showed that over 70 million people practiced Falun Gong in China.

The insecure president of China overruled the Premier and started a state campaign to defame and "eliminate" Falun Gong practitioners.

His "new laws" aid his crimes against humanity break China's own constitution and international human rights treaties it has signed.

Thirty-six people from around the world went to China to show support for Falun Gong practitioners.

This peaceful appeal respected international laws and China's own constitution.

During the past two years the peaceful actions of Falun Gong practitioners have won support and respect from millions of citizens and governments around the world.

China has a lot to offer. However, we must base our future relations with China on its treatment of human beings first and foremost.

The world chose not to boycott the 1936 Olympics in Nazi Germany; embarrassment doesn't come close to what the world feels about that today.

My heart applauds the courage and selflessness of my fellow practitioners who went to China.

As Canadians, we should be proud of all people everywhere who peacefully protect principles of goodness in our world.

Together we will make a difference for our future generations.

Joel Chipkar

Mississauga