Print
this articleZhang Hongbao in Blast Furnace
---- A documentary on how the outstanding spiritual leader transformed to a political leader
US Senate Foreign Relations Write to Attorney General
From New York Times Message Board
http://messages.yahoo.com/?action=q&board=NYT
US Senate Foreign Relations Write to Attorney General
John Ashcroft of Department of Justice of USA
United States Senate
COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS
Washington, DC
March 23, 2001
The Honorable John Ashoroft
U.S. Attorney General
Department of Justice
Washington, D.C.
Dear Mr. Attorney General:
We are deeply concerned about the personal safety and liberty of Zhang Hongbao, a Chinese national, who has been in our Federal detention system in Guam since January 29, 2000.
Zhang Hongbao is a prominent dissident leader of a non-government organization, Zhong Gong, a spiritual movement, which according to the Department of State involves tens of millions of Chinese citizens. He was granted asylum by the U.S. immigration court in Hawaii on June 13, 2000.
That decision was somehow later converted to "withholding of deportation" on September 20, 2000, under the UN Anti-Torture Convention (incorporated into our Federal law). The case was cross-appealed and is pending in the BIA.
Mr. Zhang's protective status, granted by Judge Dayns Dias, will allow him to reside and work in the U.S. for an indefinite period. Jailing Mr. Zhang or releasing him is a purely discretionary matter within your authority as the Attorney General of the United States.
As the leader of largest civic organization in communist China, Zhang's personal safety, indeed his liberty are a risk which he remains either incarcerated or released on Guam. We recommend that your office take appropriate action to ensure this man's life, safety and freedom by-
(1) Releasing him from incarceration in Guam and upholding the immigration court's original June 2000 decision; or
(2) Transferring him to much safe facilities in Washington, D.C.
Sincerely,
Jesse Helms
Bob Smith
Note:
Mr. Jesse Helms is Chairperson of the Committee of Foreign Relations of Senate of United States Congress.
Mr. Bob Smith is senior senator of U.S. Congress Senate.