December 12, 2006
For Immediate Release
Wallace addresses human rights abuses in China
Applauds efforts to free Huseyin Celil

OTTAWA-Mike Wallace, Member of Parliament for Burlington, this morning joined a special meeting of the Subcommittee on International Human Rights of the Standing Committee of Foreign Affairs and International Development. The principal witness testifying before the committee was Mrs. Rebiya Kadeer, President of the International Uyghur Human Rights and Democracy foundation and nominee for the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize.

Mr. Wallace addressed the House of Commons and guests including Mrs. Celil and Mrs. Kadeer this afternoon and delivered the following remarks, inspiring a standing ovation:

“Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to welcome Ms. Rabiya Kadeer to Ottawa Canada. Ms. Kadeer is President of the World Uyghur Congress and Nominee for the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize.

Ms. Kadeer, one of the most successful businesspeople in China, eventually fell out of favour with Chinese authorities and was tried and wrongfully imprisoned for six long years.

Since her release, Ms. Kadeer has championed the Uyghur cause from her home base in America. She has travelled all over the world raising human-rights issues with groups both governmental and non-governmental. In 2004, her work earned her the Rafto Prize for human rights.

I would like to congratulate her on her philanthropic efforts and her tireless advocacy. She offers encouragement to all oppressed people around the world and is a role model that we in this house and Canadians from across this country can applaud.

On behalf of my constituents, Huseyin Celil and his family, we thank you and commend the work that you are doing to address the travesty of human rights abuses in China. You are a hero to many and we are honoured by your presence on the hill today.”

Additional details are available on the Standing Committee’s web site: http://cmte.parl.gc.ca/cmte/CommitteeHome.aspx?Lang=1&PARLSES=391&JNT=0&SELID=e17_&COM=10945

For further information please contact: Jon. W. Watson or Mike Wallace, MP

Jon. W. Watson
Executive & Legislative Assistant
Mike Wallace, MP Burlington
www.mikewallace.ca
T: (613) 995 0881
F: (613) 995 1091
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