China, human rights topic of debate

China, human rights topic of debate

Oct 18 2006

Comox Valley Amnesty International and United Church Outreach present China and Human Rights this Friday at the Comox United Church at 7:30 p.m.

The Comox Valley chapter of Amnesty International presents a fascinating evening on human rights in China featuring two distinguished civil rights lawyers.

Guo Guoting is a former judge and maritime lawyer from Shanghai whose personal story exemplifies the idea of ordinary people doing extraordinary things. One of only a handful of human rights lawyers within China, he was under house arrest until last year when he was forced to flee or face persecution.

Clive Ansley has practised law in Shanghai, taught law at Chinese universities and testified in numerous international cases on Chinese law.

He is knowledgeable about such current issues as human organ harvesting and the Falun Gong movement which has been labelled an �evil cult� by the Chinese government.

A July report by David Kilgour, the former cabinet minister now Independent MP, concluded that the Chinese government has put to death a large, unknown number of prisoners of conscience and is selling their internal organs on the international market.

�I think we all want some good information about what�s happening in China since they are becoming such a big part our economy and lives,� said Comox Valley Amnesty Chair Scott Johnson.

A part of Amnesty�s �Just Desserts� campaign, the evening�s talk will feature a question period and refreshments, including desserts, provided by local businesses and individuals.

The local Amnesty Action Circle meets the second Monday of each month, 7 p.m. at the Community Action Centre, Fourth and England in Courtenay.