Dear Embassy Officials,

It has recently come to my attention that Mr. Wing-yuen Chan is serving an unwarranted 7-year prison sentence in Myanmar. Mr. Chan is a permanent resident of Hong Kong who was illegally imprisoned during a visit to his homeland of Myanmar one year ago. He was abducted while holding a banner that read "Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance" on the side of the road prior to the passing of Jiang Zemin's motorcade. What was his crime?

How ludicrous and absolutely shameful that a 71-year-old man would be forced into jail, for 7 years no less, simply for holding up the words "Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance." He did it quietly at the side of the road and did not cause a public disturbance. So what was his crime? Please tell me, exactly which part of being peaceful, courageous, and believing in Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance is a crime that warrants persecution and imprisonment? Who would agree with Mr. Chan's imprisonment? Mr. Chan's imprisonment could not have been an act instigated by the Myanmar police alone.

I understand that the Myanmar government was pressured by the Chinese regime into jailing Mr. Chan and that Mr. Chan's wife in Hong Kong has been threatened by the Chinese regime not to leak news of her husband's imprisonment to the public. Why? Jiang is heading a personal smear campaign against anyone who practices or supports Falun Gong, which is a peaceful mind and body practice that guides a person to raise his morality in accordance with Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance. Jiang has used his power and all the tools at his disposal to turn his own country and government against Falun Gong. It is also public knowledge that Jiang has been extending his smear campaign overseas, attempting to implicate other countries' governments in his persecution against Falun Gong. As the facts of the worldwide persecution against Falun Gong are becoming clearer with each passing day, people are beginning to realize just who has acted morally and who has acted crookedly, and this is what Jiang fears the most.

So if Mr. Chan had instead held up a banner that read "Continue to Persecute Truthfulness, Compassion, & Forbearance", he would have been applauded by Jiang and would not have been jailed. Then tell me, what was his crime?

In fact, he committed no crime. The whole world knows this. If we as human beings, and even Embassy personnel, fail to take the necessary actions to safeguard justice out of fear, then whom are we protecting? Please think this over. Acting morally is never a compromise to your job, your life, or others. It is the only way your heart and mind can be at ease. Your actions directly affect other people's freedom and, ultimately, decide your own future and happiness. I sincerely want the best for you. Please have the courage to do what is right and restore justice for Mr. Chan.

Please immediately release this innocent, courageous man.