• Considering that setting up organisations and especially trade unions independent of those in power is an inalienable right and a necessary condition for democracy, that:
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The causes which led the Chinese people to rise up against the corrupt regime in a great popular movement in 1989 have not disappeared, far from it;
- Many elements point to the fact that independent organisations still exist and new ones are being formed. Recent arrests to stop strike actions confirm this.
- The fight for independent trade unions is a universal mark of the present period. In all countries - through their defense against integration to government plans or their creation the demand for free independent trade unions is at the center of the struggle for democracy.
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• Considering that it is up to the Chinese people with its free organisations to find their own solutions for the difficult questions raised in their country;
• Considering that Chinese workers and students cannot be left isolated by the dictatorship in power;
• The proposal has been made for an International meeting in Hong Kong for the release of all political prisoners and the right to independent organisation. This proposal made in January 1991 by activists of the Chinese democratic movement in exile has been widely received in 34 countries. It was favorably greeted by democratic organisations and trade unions in Hong Kong.
The location chosen is a meeting point and place of exchange for millions of Chinese peoples on the very doorstep of the Peoples Republic of China. If such a meeting could take place in Hong Kong, the Chinese government could not stop information from being circulated and there would be a ripple effect of reactions throughout China. The Chinese government always denounces foreign government interventions in its domestic affairs. But if workers from all over the world send their representatives to defend their Chinese brothers and sisters, how could Li Peng denounce the workers of the world?
WE PROPOSE TO GO TO CHINA AT THE END OF APRIL 1992 TO MEET THE PRISONERS AND THEIR FAMILIES.
THE INTERNATIONAL DELEGATION WILL GIVE AN ACCOUNT OF ITS TRIP TO CHINA AT A MEETING IN HONG KONG ON MAY 1, WHICH IS A SYMBOLIC DAY; THERE THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLES WILL BE HEARD. WE ARE CERTAIN IT WILL BE HEARD THROUGHOUT CHINA.
We call upon all those who intend to participate in this delegation and ask them to contact us.
We call upon all of you, upon all organisations claiming to defend democracy and ask them to organise a large scale campaign of support by sending statements and messages.
We call upon all of you to help us finance this campaign.
MAY THIS NEW YEAR BE A NEW STEP FORWARD TOWARDS FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY!
Paris, January 18, 1992.
China (in exile): Yue WU, leader of the Paking Autonomous Federation of Workers - Cai CHONGGO, leader of the Wuhan Autonomous Union of Students.
Belgium: Jef ULBURGHS, Senator
Germany: Cornelia MATZKE, Michael ARNOLD, Carla BOULBOULLE, Members of the Parliament Great Britain : Robert PARRY, Member of Parliament
France: Alain DENIZO, trade-unionist - Raymond PONTVIANNE, Trade-unionist - Olivier DORIANE, editorialist .
United States: Ralph SCHOENMANN, former Secretary of the Russell Court
Venezuela: Moises MOLEIRO, Vice-President of the National Congress of the Republic
THIS APPEAL HAS BEEN PUBLISHED IN CHINESE, FRENCH, ENGLISH, GERMAN, SPANISH
I PUBLICLY SUPPORT THIS APPEAL
Name-Surname
Address
Profession:
Trade union position
TO FINANCE THE INTERNATIONAL DELEATION TRIP AND THE HONG KONG RALLY
..TO THE “COMMISSION ENQUETE CHINE”
I SEND ..........