NEWS RELEASESApril 19, 1998 No. 94 AXWORTHY WELCOMES RELEASE OF CHINESE DISSIDENT WANG DAN Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy today welcomed news that Chinese political dissident Wang Dan has been released by China. Mr. Wang has arrived in the United States from China, following his release on medical parole. "I am encouraged by news that Mr. Wang has been released by the Chinese government," said Mr. Axworthy. "This welcome development follows the successful multilateral symposium on human rights jointly hosted by Canada and China last month in British Columbia, and the announcement later that month that China intends to sign the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights." Wang Dan was a student leader during the 1989 demonstrations in Tiananmen Square, and had been serving a lengthy sentence. "Canada, along with several other countries, has long been urging the Chinese to release Wang Dan from prison. I am hopeful that this release might be followed by the freeing of other dissidents," added Minister Axworthy. - 30 - For further information, media representatives may contact: Debora Brown Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs (613) 995-1851 Media Relations Office Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (613) 995-1874 This document is also available on the Department's Internet site: http://www.dfait-maeci.gc.ca |