(Clearwisdom.net) At 11am of January 20, representatives of the Canadian Falun Dafa Association and renowned international human rights lawyer David Matas jointly held a press conference at Parliament Hill. The press conference revealed the details of how to hold people who have persecuted Falun Gong accountable through Canada's Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Program.
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| Appeal at Parliament Hill | Practitioners demonstrating the Falun Gong exercises | Press conference |
For violators, the application of this program could lead to refusal of visas to Canada, cancellation of their Canadian citizenship and deportation, and charges and punishment based on Canada's laws about Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes.
Criminals who have violated human rights should be held accountable
In a statement, Xun Li, spokesperson of the Canadian Falun Dafa Association, pointed out that the persecution of Falun Gong launched by Jiang is a crime against humanity and morality. The persecution has lasted more than 4 years and has been escalating. It instigates hatred, financially bankrupts practitioners, and uses torture and murder to systematically persecute Falun Gong.
In the statement, Mr. Li said, "Jiang's regime has fabricated a lot lies to frame Falun Gong and cover up the truth. At the same time, the international community knows little about its crimes and the persecution's profound impact. The help offered by the international community has not been enough so far to stop the implementation of this form of genocide."
Last September, the Canadian Falun Dafa Association submitted a document to Canada's Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Program (CAHWCP). Including Jiang Zemin, this file documented the crimes committed by 15 high-level Chinese officials against Falun Gong and the related evidence. 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 would be conducted.
In the statement, Xun Li said that this is "encouraging", and he said, "Falun Gong practitioners will continue to actively cooperate with the implementation of related laws, and submit more names of criminals and evidence. The number of criminals of this kind could reach up to tens of thousands. Nevertheless, comparing with such a large scale persecution, this number is just the tip of the iceberg." On the same day of the press conference, the association provided another 30 criminals' names along with evidence. At the end, the statement said, "The implementation of CAHWCP deters those who are implementing the persecution, and it sends out a strong message to them: The international community will take legal action against them at any time. The criminals who have violated Falun Gong practitioners' human rights will pay for what they have done. Their crime will be stopped."
Renowned human rights lawyer: This is just the first step
Renowned human rights lawyer David Matas said that this is the beginning of "using Canada's legal system to bring these criminals that committed crimes against humanity and torture to justice. The first step is to prevent all persons who have persecuted Falun Gong from entering Canada. This includes Jiang Zemin.
"There is sufficient evidence to believe that these people have committed crimes against humanity and had severe human rights violations," Matas said, "Immigration law requires forbidding this kind of person to enter Canada." On the same day, Mr. Matas also sent letters to the heads of the Canadian Ministry of Justice and Public Security, as well as the Immigration Service. He also provided them with a list of those who have participated in the persecution of Falun Gong.
Voice of MP and Amnesty International
MP Rob Anders wrote a letter to support this action, stating that Canada can't become the haven of these criminals and torturers. Secretary of Amnesty International Canada Mr. Neve said that governments of all nations must bravely employ all necessary measures to make sure all Chinese officials who have participated human rights abuses are held accountable, no matter how high-ranking they are.
The implication of holding criminals of persecution accountable in Canada is significant
Xun Li talked about the implications of this action. He said, "Canada's Crimes against Humanity and War Crimes Program is designated for war criminals and those who commit crimes against humanity. This is a reflection of the seriousness of the persecution."
Mr. Li said, "This action is not only to condemn the persecution, but also to use the legal system to take concrete action. This action will be a big blow to some individuals and the Jiang regime, which is responsible for persecuting Falun Gong. This will not only warn those who are participating in the persecution, but also benefit the public security of Canada. Canadians don't want to have murderers or rapists as neighbors." Finally, Xun Li called on all kind-hearted people in China and overseas to report those who have participated in the persecution, so that they will be brought to justice as soon as possible.
About 70 Falun Gong practitioners gathered in front of Parliament Hill to support this press conference. Practitioners and members of Friends of Falun Gong in Toronto and Vancouver also held their local press conferences to support the Ottawa event.
Background information: Canadian Crimes against Humanity and War Crimes Program
Since World War II, many people have immigrated to Canada. Among them, there are some war criminals and people who have committed crimes against humanity. To deal with this situation, in 1985, the Canadian government started to deploy important measures inside Canada and overseas in order to make sure those criminals won't escape from punishment. These measures include: Modification and enforcement of related legislation, and creation of a special program which is based on three institutions (Ministry of Justice, Immigration and Public Security)-The Canada's Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Program. According to Canada's Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Program 2001-2002 annual report: in that fiscal year, 445 people were not granted visas to Canada, 46 were deported, 3983 cases (including cases took place outside Canada) are being investigated.
Category: Karma & Virtue
