Published by World Tibet Network News - Thursday, November 23 , 1995

From: Michael Craig and Bensen Lin, China Human Rights Group, November 22, 1995

michaelc@gold.interlog.com

"We are appalled and angry that Wei Jingsheng has been charged with trying to overthrow the government of China", Michael Craig and Bensen LIn, Co-chairs of the China Human Rights Group, said today.

"The idea of charging a man who has peacefully advocated reform and respect for human rights in China, who was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize, and who has never called for the overthrow of the Chinese government, is simply grotesque," the Group said. "We have great sympathy for Wei and his family.They have suffered more than enough after fourteen and a half years of Wei's imprisonment and twenty months of his being "disappeared".

The China Human Rights Group said, "once again the Chinese regime shows its true colours: despotic, totalitarian and contemptuous of international legal standards."

One of the biggest losers from this newest human rights absurdity will be China's international reputation. "It is easy to respect the talented and energetic Chinese people, but unfortunately impossible to respect the ruthless Chinese dictatorship."

"From now on," said Craig, "when western corporate and government leaders troop into the Great Hall of the People to meet with Jiang Zemin and sign trade deals they will have to close their eyes to the pain of the Chinese people and hold their noses as they face Chinese leaders."

"Part of our anger is directed at the Canadian government", said Craig and Lin. "In meetings with Chinese leaders last year and last month, our Prime Minister showed blatant cynicism by talking up human rights in general but refusing to question specific human rights abuses in China. We asked him to inquire about the fate of Wei Jingsheng, which is something that the Presidents of Germany and the United States have done. But, as far as we know, he declined. Our Prime Minister has thus informed the Chinese government that human rights atrocities, such as this charge against Wei Jingsheng, will not affect the profitable trade relationship between Canada and China. He puts money before people's lives."

China Human Rights Group

34 Parkdale Road, Toronto, Ontario. M6R 1E2

Phone & Fax: (416) 588-4966