Press Statement by Irish Falun Dafa Association: On the Fourth Anniversary of April 25

On April 25th 1999, 10,000 Falun Dafa practitioners peacefully appealled at Zhongnanhai, the central compound of Chinese government in Beijing, to request a free environment to practise Falun Dafa. Today it is the 4th anniversary of this historical event. Looking back at China’s history, this appeal is truly remarkable. Since the 1989 Tiananmen massacre, no citizen in China has dared to raise questions about the government’s policy. However, these 10,000 Falun Gong practitioners presented themselves rationally, peacefully and bravely outside the central government to appeal for their freedom of belief.

Three months after this appeal in 1999, the Jiang regime started its persecution against the Falun Dafa practice. During the past four years, while facing inhumane persecution, Falun Gong practitioners have maintained the spirit of tolerance, rationality and non-violence at all times. We are here today to commemorate this historical event that occurred four years ago and to call for people to pay attention to this groundless and brutal persecution that has also lasted for nearly four years.

Recently SARS has been spreading throughout China and some places of the world. Through this, we can see the true nature of the Chinese regime. Rather than making genuine improvement, they are only trying to improve their superficial image through propaganda. Covering up the truth has a habit for them throughout the past decade. They have already covered up the persecution of Falun Gong. This time they are not able to hide the facts. Attempting to hide the SARS virus at the risk people’s lives truly reveals their inhumane nature.

Through a series of legal actions, initiated by Falun Gong practitioners against Chinese officials who are responsible for the persecution, a new stage of resisting this persecution has begun. With the help of human rights lawyers throughout the world and in accordance with the international covenant against torture and the laws against genocide etc, practitioners have submitted several legal cases to tribunals in various countries including the United States, France and Switzerland. These lawsuits charge former Chinese president Jiang Zemin and the heads of the “610 office” [a Chinese Gestapo-like organisation set up by Jiang to implement the persecution of Falun Gong] with genocide and crimes against humanity.

In addition, human rights lawyers all over the world have formed an alliance to charge Jiang with these crimes if he steps foot into any of these countries. Because of his personal experiences in China’s Tuanhe labour camp, Trinity College student Zhao Ming is also a plaintiff in several of these lawsuits.

The spirit of Tolerance, Rationality and Non-violence of the April 25 Appeal will shine forever and guide us in resisting the persecution until it comes to an end.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT THE IRISH FALUN GONG INFORMATION CENTRE
Gerald O’Connor- 0863848719 or Zhao Ming- 0877842819
Email: [email protected]