UK: Statements from UK Falun Dafa Press Conference

Three years ago today, Chinese President Jiang Zemin began a brutal and unjustifiable campaign of persecution against 100 million innocent Chinese people. In three years, over 100,000 Falun Gong practitioners have been sent to jails, forced labour camps, detention centres and mental hospitals because they follow the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, Tolerance. Over 400 are known to have been tortured to death by Chinese police because they want to practise a simple set of peaceful, meditative exercises. Sources within the Chinese government put the fatality figures at thousands. Tens of millions of people have been harassed, lost their jobs, homes and families because they want to be honest, kind and patient.

Since July 20th 1999, Jiang Zemin?s regime has channelled the whole of the Chinese state?s might to crush the will of Falun Gong and those who practise it. A massive state propaganda machine has utilised lies and slander to turn China?s people against Falun Gong and conceal the horrific violations of human rights that are a permanent threat to 100 million innocent people. Every imaginable method of persecution has been employed: illegal arrests, beatings, torture, kidnapping, robbery, extortion, starvation, slave labour, forced abortions and rape. This has culminated in President Jiang?s recent order to ?kill Falun Gong practitioners without mercy?. Throughout these three years, practitioners have remained peaceful and there is not a single report of retaliation to the violent acts of the Chinese authorities.

Falun Gong is practised in about 60 countries and has received numerous recognitions for the benefits to body and mind that it brings to practitioners, including over 600 awards in North America alone. Falun Gong founder Li Hongzhi has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for two consecutive years. In spite of worldwide support, the Chinese regime continues to put pressure on international governments to accept and ignore its massive violations of human rights. The regime has exported its blacklist of Falun Gong practitioners to Hong Kong and Iceland, and pressured the governments there to use the blacklist to bar entry of practitioners during state visits by the Chinese dictator. The international extension of Jiang?s autocratic persecution has resulted in many Chinese UK residents facing a ban by the Chinese Embassy of their passport renewal. For example, two-year-old Minghui was refused a passport because her parents are Falun Gong practitioners. This has provoked wide condemnation from UK human rights organisations, politicians and individuals. The Chinese Embassy?s policy of propaganda and arrogance towards UK MPs has recently resulted in the tabling of an Early Day Motion (1320). This motion ?notes the discourtesy of the Chinese Embassy in failing to reply to letters from honourable Members in relation to human rights for Falun Gong practitioners in China? and has already received almost 50 signatures.

During the past three years, Falun Gong practitioners outside of China have been working hard to let the world?s people and governments know the truth about this persecution of those who merely want to be good. Since 5 June, at this spot opposite the Chinese Embassy, there has been a continuous round the clock vigil, which enters its 46th day today. Today we commemorate and pay tribute to the three years courageous and peaceful resistance by practitioners who have endured enormous suffering. We call for all kind-hearted people to join us to end this crime against all humanities. Jiang's tyrannical terror must end! Together with you, we can make that happen soon!

Statement from Brian Coleman Greater London Assembly Member for Barnet and Camden

Whilst I am sorry not to have been able to attend this conference today, I am grateful to have the opportunity to make a few remarks on an occasion of such gravity. I would like to begin by paying tribute to those other politicians and leaders who perhaps are present today, and have devoted so much more time to such a worthy cause. If we are one day to celebrate the anniversary of a final end to the ruthless persecution of Falun Gong practitioners, then it will only be through consistent pressure exerted by such statesmen and leaders.

Indeed, in my capacity as the Greater London Assembly Member for Barnet and Camden, I recently submitted a question to our own Mayor of London, Mr Ken Livingstone, asking him whether, when he met with the Chinese Ambassador in June, he raised the issue of the continued and escalating human rights abuses conducted against practitioners of Falun Gong. I have yet to receive an answer from Mr Livingstone on the matter and I do not know if he tackled that issue or not. But the principle behind this question must prevail for all politicians of all parties whenever the opportunity arises: no-one in authority should duck the issue of the systematic and coordinated abuse of human rights that is taking place in China today.

As ever, the preoccupation of our leaders will be with the state of this nation, but domestic concerns ought never to eclipse the opportunity to make the case for decent human rights for all. Despite this fact, a much-heralded 'ethical foreign policy' has never materialised under the current government, and it is once again down to individuals to take a stand. I for my part will continue to raise the torture, imprisonment and intimidation of Falun Gong practitioners, who stand simply for Truth, Compassion and Forbearance, with the Chinese government. I will do this at every opportunity I get and I would like to use this occasion to advise all my colleagues at every level of government to do the same. Thank you.

Best Wishes,

Brian Coleman

Statement from Glenda Jackson MP

I remain deeply concerned with the treatment of Falun Gong leaders and adherents in China. Such treatment is in direct contravention of provisions of the international Covenant on Civil and Political Rights signed by China in October 1999, but which it is yet to ratify.

It is to be hoped that the Chinese Authorities will take note of international concern in this area.