Victories in the United States

In the United States, four similar lawsuits have been filed. Three of these lawsuits have already seen judgments in favour of Falun Gong.

In June 2003, a U.S. Magistrate Judge denied foreign sovereign immunity to Beijing Party Secretary and former Beijing Mayor Liu Qi, and Vice Governor of Liaoning Province, Xia Deren. In a report submitted to the Court, the Magistrate Judge recommended a guilty finding for both Defendants. (news)

In December 2001 the U.S. District Court of the Southern District of New York ruled against Zhao Zhifei, chief of police and second-in command of the “6-10 Office” in Hubei Province. In this case, the judge ordered a default judgment against Zhao Zhifei and awarded nominal damages to the plaintiffs, which could include the punitive and declaratory damages sought by the plaintiffs. (news)

Waves of International Lawsuits Target the Persecution of Falun Gong in China

Finland – Sept. 11, 2003: A criminal lawsuit was filed in Finland charging Standing Committee member of the Chinese Communist Party’s Politburo, Luo Gan, with crimes of genocide and torture. (news)

Iceland – Sept. 8, 2003: A criminal lawsuit was filed in Iceland charging Standing Committee member of the Chinese Communist Party’s Politburo, Luo Gan, with crimes of genocide, torture and crimes against humanity. (news)

Australia – Aug. 26, 2003: Australian citizen, Ms, Zhang Cuiying, who was subjected to torture and persecution in China, is to have her case championed in the United Nations and the International Court of Justice by an eminent human rights lawyer, Mr. Geoffrey Robertson. Mr. Robertson is the Chief Justice of the UN War Crimes Court. (news)

Belgium – Aug. 21, 2003: One of the lawyers who prosecuted Chilean dictator, Augusto Pinochet, filed a criminal lawsuit in Belgium against Jiang Zemin, and two of his senior aides: Luo Gan and Li Lanqing. The lawsuit charges the three men with genocide, torture and crimes against humanity. (news)

France – December 2002: A criminal lawsuit was filed in France charging the former Vice-Premier of China, Mr. Lanqing Li – who was the acting administrative head for the “6-10 Office” – with crimes of torture. In July 2003, the French criminal court began legal proceedings on the case. (news)

Switzerland – March 18, 2002: During the United Nations 59th Human Rights meeting, Mr. Philip Grant, President of TRIAL (Track Impunity Always), announced plans to launch a lawsuit against Jiang Zemin for torture, crimes against humanity and genocide if the former Chinese leader ever visits Switzerland. (news)

Background

Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa (about), is a practice of meditation and exercises with teachings based on the universal principle of “Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance.” It is a practice that was taught in private for thousands of years before being made public in 1992 by Mr. Li Hongzhi. Falun Gong has roots in traditional Chinese culture, but it is distinct and separate from other practices such as the religions of Buddhism and Taoism. Since its introduction in 1992, it quickly spread by word of mouth throughout China, and is now practiced in over 50 countries.

With government estimates of as many as 100 million practising Falun Gong, China’s President Jiang Zemin outlawed the peaceful practice in July 1999 (report), fearful of anything touching the hearts and minds of more citizens than the Communist Party. Unable to crush the spirit of millions who had experienced improved health and positive life changes from Falun Gong, Jiang’s regime has intensified its propaganda campaign to turn public opinion against the practice while quietly imprisoning, torturing and even murdering those who practice it.

The European Falun Dafa Information Centre has verified details of 783 deaths (reports / sources) since the persecution of Falun Gong in China began in 1999. In October 2000, however, Government officials inside China reported that the actual death toll was well over 1,600, while expert sources estimate that figure to be much higher. Hundreds of thousands have been detained, with more than 100,000 being sentenced to forced labour camps, typically without trial.