By Charles Tannock (PPE-DE)
To the Commission
(13.12.2002)
Subject: Article 23 legislation in Hong Kong and the rights of Falun Gong practitioners throughout China
What is the opinion of the Commission on the introduction of the controversial Article 23 legislation of anti-subversion law, and is the Commission concerned about the threat to the ability of those who wish to peacefully practise Falun Gong activites either in Hong Kong or in the rest of China to practise their beliefs unimpeded or without threat of arbitrary arrest? Has the Commission raised the issue of Falun Gong with the Chinese government, and does the Commission believe that the increase in the numbers of Falun Gong followers should be seen primarily as a desire on the part of many people to return to older, spiritual Chinese codes of behaviour rather than as a threat to the political dominance of the Communist Party itself?
Has the Commission also expressed concern over threats to religious freedom in China, and is the Commission hopeful that the new leadership under Hu Jintao will address this issue more readily in the future?
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