LONDON, December 16, 2002 (European Falun Gong Information Centre) – As part of an international effort, on 13 December the Global Mission to Rescue Persecuted Falun Gong Practitioners (GMRPFGP) released the names of over 100 Falun Gong practitioners who have family in one of 16 countries around the world and are currently being incarcerated in China (see: www.rescueourfamilies.org)
The family members named are being held for practising the peaceful exercise and meditation practise, Falun Gong, and, in many cases, for making peaceful appeals to the Chinese leadership to end the persecution of Falun Gong in China and restore freedom of assembly, speech and belief to those who practise. These rights are enshrined in the Chinese Constitution.
Since the GMRPFGP committee was first mobilised in September 2002, the international committee has compiled information about loved ones of overseas Chinese that are in detention centres and forced labour camps in China. The overseas Chinese reside in 16 countries, including the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and several countries in Europe and Asia.
Seven family members of overseas Chinese have already died from torture and abuse while in police custody.
Interview Families in Rescue Effort Europe: Peter Jauhal +44 7739 172 452 |
Dr. Haiying He, a medical doctor from Harvard University and spokesman for the Global Rescue, explained the need for the committee, "This persecution is a systematic attack by Chinese Communist leader, Jiang Zemin, upon the basic freedom of belief that is protected in the Chinese Constitution, and upon Falun Gong practitioners in particular."
Dr. He continued, “The persecution of Falun Gong has had a far-reaching impact around the world ever since the persecution began in 1999. The Global Rescue estimates that in addition to the family and friends in China, over 150 overseas practitioners have been arrested and incarcerated for appealing for Falun Gong in China. At least one third are non-Chinese citizens of various countries.”
Dr. He’s mother, brother and sister have all been arrested and imprisoned in China for their belief in Falun Gong.
“Our mission,” Dr. He concluded, “is to save our families from abuse, torture and even death, and in that process, bring international pressure down upon Jiang’s regime to end the persecution of Falun Gong so all those detained for peacefully exercising their right to freedom of belief may be released.”
Dr. He says the cases identified by the Global Rescue further validate media reports estimating that more than 100,000 Falun Gong practitioners have been imprisoned in detention centres and forced-labour camps.
Governments Take Action, Some Lives Rescued
Irish student and Falun Gong practitioner Mr Zhao Ming was arrested while on holiday in China and spent two years in a labour camp where he was tortured. With the help of the Irish government, he was successfully rescued back to Ireland.
In late October, Canadian Members of Parliament unanimously passed the first Private Motion on Falun Gong to rescue 12 imprisoned practitioners who have close family ties to Canada.
Pressure from the United States, Canadian and other nations has also resulted in practitioners of Falun Gong being freed from detention centres and forced labour camps.
According to reports from China, pressure from the international community has also had a significant impact upon the lives of detained Falun Gong practitioners. Some have experienced improved living conditions and improved treatment.
Five have gained early release from forced-labour camps.
“We have seen just how effective international pressure can be in these family rescue cases,” says Peter Jauhal, European Falun Gong spokesperson, “and so we call upon the European Union to urge China to immediately release our families in the upcoming human rights dialogue.”
The European Falun Gong Information Centre has verified details of 528 deaths since the persecution of Falun Gong in China began in 1999. Government officials inside China, however, report that the actual death toll is 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.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT THE EUROPEAN FALUN GONG INFORMATION CENTRE –
Contact: Peter Jauhal 44 (0) 7719 172 452.
More contacts. http://www.falungonginfo.net/europe.htm
Email: [email protected]
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