"In September of 2003 and January of 2004, WOIPFG and the Canadian Falun Dafa Association submitted to the Canadian Royal Mounted Police a list of names of 45 people who have initiated and actively participated in the persecution of Falun Gong, as well as evidence of the crimes that they have committed. The 45 people include Jiang Zemin, Li Lanqing, Luo Gan, Liu Jing, Zhou Yongkang, among others."

"The allegations in question are that the Parisian authorities arrested, and not simply stopped for identity checks, handcuffed and detained several UK Falun Gong practitioners for up to five hours until after the afternoon’s parade had finished...As I stressed in my earlier letter, these allegations, if true, amount to a serious violation of basic human rights."

From the 26th to the 28th of January 2004, as part of a worldwide tribute to the global recognition of human rights, Friends of Falun Gong Europe and the International Advocates for Justice were joined by seventeen NGOs to sponsor “Genocide in the New Era”, an international conference attended by human rights attorneys and people from NGOs in Sweden, Belgium, Spain, Canada, Finland, Denmark, Taiwan, Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States and other nations. One of the results of this conference was the following official resolution.

"Thank you for your recent letter regarding the arrest of the Falun Gong practitioners during the Chinese New Year celebrations in Paris. I too am horrified by the actions of the French authorities and have written to the French Ambassador to the EU to highlight my concerns. I have asked him to raise the matter with the French government and requested an apology from the French authorities for this episode."

"I wrote to the French Ambassador, Gerard Errera, on January 30th raising my concerns over the appalling treatment of the practitioners. Furthermore, I have asked that these allegations be investigated as soon as possible, and that the Parisian authorities clarify the grounds on which the arrests were made."

"I received your letter, from which I was informed that there are hundreds of thousands of Falun Gong practitioners being seriously persecuted in China, and their basic human rights are being violated. The Alcudia City Government, which is led by me, would like to make the following statement: we are completely against this serious violation of human rights and we condemn it."

On the 3rd of March 2004, in Stockholm, Falun Gong practitioners raised the issue of the recent escalation of the persecution of Falun Gong in China and with the Swedish Central Party. Speaking decisively, Lena Ek, the delegate of the Swedish Central Party was resolute as she expressed her support: “the leaders of the Swedish Government will always use every opportunity to raise the issue of Falun Gong to the Chinese government at all levels. We will continue to call for an end to the persecution of Falun Gong whether we are in political, business or enterprise meetings. Good luck to Falun Gong!”

"Falun Gong adheres to the three principles of “Truthfulness, Compassion and Tolerance” and denying them the right to express these peaceful ideals is an obvious encroachment on their freedom of speech. Since Communist leader Jiang Zemin outlawed Falun Gong in 1999, 870 deaths have resulted as well as many more tortures and imprisonments. France’s contribution to this maltreatment of members of Falun Gong is disheartening and sets an extremely dangerous precedent."

"The crimes of the Chinese Government against the practitioners of Falun Gong are not in dispute. There is no doubt that the vicious and gratuitous violence perpetrated on those who simply speak in favour of the movement or hold up Falun Gong banners, the incarceration, torture and mass murder of Falun Gong adherents, together with the government and media campaign of hatred and vitriol against them, combine to meet the legal definition of “Genocide”. What is difficult for many international observers to reconcile is how this can occur in a country which is described by many influential opinion makers as having made huge and rapid strides in implementing the rule of law."

"The blatant denial of the participation of Falun Gong groups in the New Years Parade and the repression of their right to expression and peaceful protest by the French authorities is shocking and wrong. That the French government might have conceded to the request of Jiang Zemin to suppress and silence Falun Gong is extremely worrying indeed."

"I am aware that Falun Gong practitioners have long endured brutal persecution by the Chinese authorities and I applaud your continuing peaceful efforts to protest and reform the regime’s actions. It is regrettable that members of your group must also endure maltreatment in France, a country that professes tolerance and human rights."

"The government should however also be voicing strong condemnation of the on-going persecution of Falun Gong in China. According to NGO reports the verified number of deaths of Falun Gong practitioners in China has now reached more than 880 people. New reports of brutal tortures continue to be received everyday from China. The Irish government should use their Presidency of the EU to take a stand and make a strong request urging China to desist in its persistent abuse of Falun Gong practitioners' rights immediately."

"As you certainly know, the EU meets with China biannually to hold a joint dialogue on human rights. Violations of the individual rights of members of Falun Gong in China are among the issues regularly raised, under the banner of freedom of assembly, freedom of expression and freedom of belief. We will again raise these concerns at the next session of the EU-China Human Rights Dialogue to be held in Dublin on 26 and 27 February."

The conference delegates expressed concerns on the issue of human rights in China, particularly in relation to Falun Gong. Many of them knew what happened during the Chinese New Year in Paris after hearing about it on the TV or radio. Due to lies and pressure created by Jiang’s regime, French policemen had treated Falun Gong practitioners in a manner which violated human rights and opposed the founding principles of the French nation.

"I carefully read your letter introducing the information about the Spanish Falun Dafa Association and the terrible situation that Falun Gong practitioners face under persecution in China...I will take every possible opportunity to raise your issue to the relevant people in Spain and abroad, and to appeal for the end of this persecution against Falun Gong practitioners in China."

Recently, a French practitioner wrote to Franck Marlin, Member of Parliament for Essonne and Mayor of Etampes, complaining about the unfair treatment Falun Gong practitioners received in Paris at the end of January. The MP replied saying that he completely agreed with the practitioner and thinks “we should give human rights higher priority than economic benefits.”

The International Conference on “Genocide in the New Era”, organised by “Friends of Falun Gong Europe” and “International Advocates for Justice”, took place in Sweden’s capital, Stockholm from January 26th to January 28th 2004. This is one of the conference speeches by Wolfgang Kaleck, a German lawyer who has worked on legal actions against the chief persecutors of Falun Gong practitioners.

The International Conference on “Genocide in the New Era”, organised by “Friends of Falun Gong Europe” and “International Advocates for Justice”, took place in Sweden’s capital, Stockholm from January 26th to January 28th 2004. This is one of the conference speeches by Chinese dissident Harry W who is the author of two best-selling books and is one of the world’s foremost Chinese dissidents. His experience is grounded in 19 years as a political prisoner in China. In the 1990’s, Harry returned to China several times to document human rights abuses and in 1995 he was detained, causing international outcry.

"I am writing as a European Parliamentary Friend of the Falun Gong to protest the arrest and handcuffing of practitioners who were peacefully demonstrating in the Champs Elysees on Saturday 24th January. There are serious allegations that this was done at the request of the Chinese Embassy. France as a member of the EU and Council of Europe is committed to the fundamental right of peaceful political protest. I find the allegations of giving in to pressure from the Chinese authorities anxious to deny any platform to protesters during the parade deeply regrettable. I do hope that the request by Falun Gong for an apology from the French authorities will be shortly forthcoming."

"There is evidence that the French police used brutal and excessive methods to handle Falun Gong practitioners. They came to Paris to attend the Chinese New Year Celebrations staged by the Chinese and French Governments. The arrested people did not protest. They only wore yellow. Two women were arrested while they walked on the Champs Eylsees. When they asked the reason for their arrest the police said: “You are wearing yellow - today yellow is illegal.”"

“The EU, in all political dialogue meetings with China, underlines the importance it attaches to respect for human rights, including the freedom of religion and belief and that it will continue to do so on every possible occasion. At every session of the human rights dialogue with China, the EU urges the Chinese authorities to respect the human rights of the followers of Falun Gong."

"Thanks for your letter. In your letter you mentioned the persecution of Falun Gong. Our Centre party and I totally agree with your standpoint that this persecution is not acceptable. We are happy to help you and pass this information to other people as you requested."

"I am very happy that this morning the European Parliament passed a resolution regarding the preparation for the UN Human Rights Conference in Geneva. The resolution urged the European Union to initiate a motion at this year’s Human Rights Conference to condemn the human rights abuses in China and a series of other countries. In the resolution, the persecution of Falun Gong was mentioned in the text about China. Let’s see if the EU member states would make some active responses to European Parliament's initiatives."

"I have been in close contact with my colleague Michael Cashman who has written to Ambassador Sellal, head of the Permanent Representation of France to the European Union, not only to express our concerns that this may be a continuation of the campaign by the Chinese authorities against Falun Gong, but also to raise our concerns about the behaviour of the French Police during the New Year parade. This is an issue we have been monitoring for some time and we will continue to do so."

"I am aware of the Chinese government’s policy on persecuting the practitioners of Falun Gong. My colleagues and I have made representations to the Chinese authorities regarding this issue on a number of occasions and I also raised it myself when I visited Beijing on a British Council sponsored visit eighteen months ago. I am therefore particularly disappointed to see that the French government appear to be seeking to curry favour with the Chinese authorities by the actions to which you have referred concerning the Chinese New Year parade."

"From this story, I can tell that some French Government officials' orders to "ban yellow scarves" and arrest Falun Dafa practitioners during Hu Jintao's visit does not represent the attitude of all French Government officials or the French people. As a French citizen, I feel ashamed. Why have the policemen from the free land of France arrested their own citizens and followed the Chinese regime’s threats and pressure to arrest Falun Gong practitioners without any justification?"

On the 9th of February, Fingal County Council passed a resolution condemning China’s persecution of Falun Gong and strongly arguing that the Chinese Government release the two Chinese students Liu Feng and Yang Fang and help them return to Ireland to continue their studies. At the same time, two other councils passed similar resolutions.

'On the 9th of February 2004, Fingal County Council passed a resolution condemning China’s persecution of Falun Gong and strongly arguing that the Chinese Government release the two Chinese students Liu Feng and Yang Fang and help them return Ireland to continue their studies. At the same time, two other councils, the South Dublin Council and the Dun Laoghaire Council, have also passed similar resolutions.'

Outside the parliament building, the practitioners’ appeal and exercise demonstration was peaceful and serene. Local media reporters were present and MEPs from different countries stopped to get more information from the practitioners. Lots of practitioners met MEPs from their own countries who said they would pay close attention to the recent incidents in France.

"I would like to express that on different occasions the Swedish government had censured the Chinese government on its torture of Falun Gong practitioners. Of course, we will continue to do so. We are absolutely against the violent treatment of peaceful citizens making appeals and oppose the arrest and torture of Falun Gong practitioners who are thrown into prisons or labour camps."

"We agreed that the continuing persecution of some hundred million Chinese citizens by the government of the People's Republic of China for their moral beliefs is a most serious manifestation of genocide as defined in Article 2 of the 1948 Genocide Convention and is unacceptable in the world today, prejudices the development of cooperation and trust between nations and warrants further efforts by governments with a view to its termination."

“This County Council calls on the Government to use its position as Chair of the EU - China Human Rights Dialogue taking place in Dublin this month, to demand that the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China is ended and all prisoners immediately released. In particular that pressure would be put on to secure the return of Dun Laoghaire students, Liu Feng and Yang Fang, to complete their studies in Ireland and that this motion would be brought to the attention of the Minister.”

The First Attaché expressed deep regret and said, “I cannot say why the French Government did this. Here, I express my deep regret to you. I will send your letter to the French President immediately, and I think all Falun Gong practitioners who were arrested in Paris should go to France and ask the French Government for a reason.”

'On Monday February the 9th, councillors representing Fingal County Council and Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council will vote whether to accept a motion to condemn the persecution of Falun Dafa Practitioners in China. The motion urges the Minister for Foreign Affairs Brian Cowen to demand that Dun Laoghaire students Liu Feng and Yang Fang are permitted to return to Ireland to continue their studies during the Human-Rights Dialogue with China held in Dublin on the 26th and 27th of February.'

"Could the Presidency call on the French authorities to clarify the arrest policy used during this official visit. Could the Presidency also urge the French authorities to respect the fundamental rights of all European citizens to the right to freedom of expression and the right to freedom of assembly and freedom from arbitrary arrest."

“The human rights violations in China are very serious. For instance, brutal torture, bad treatment in the prisons, coercing a suspect into admitting guilt, and arbitrary arrest. In addition, the Chinese government strictly restricted freedom of speech and assembly, and the rights of labourers. Meanwhile, in their handling of the dissenters, minority nationalities, religious beliefs, spiritual groups (such as Falun Gong), and criminals who commit general crimes, the Chinese government indicted them with extreme penalties. The Dutch government will pay close attention to the situation."

After reading an article about "the lavish reception and maximum security afforded to the President of China during his visit to Paris", Lord Hylton wrote to the Editor of The Times (London) on February 2nd 2004. In his letter, Lord Hylton suggested that the persecution "of Falun Gong practitioners and the continued existence of labour camps all might have recommended a more modest welcome" to the Chinese President. He went on to say that he trusts the President of France "will place a higher value on upholding freedom of belief and worship, together with other human rights, wherever these are threatened."

"We as European Friends of Falun Gong would like to express our deep concern at the treatment of certain Falun Gong practitioners by the French police during the recent Chinese New Year celebrations in Paris...It is deeply disturbing that a group of peaceful, law-abiding citizens should be treated in this way in a country which claims to be one of the largest democracies in the western world."

At 4pm local time in Paris yesterday, Minister Delegate for Local Freedoms Mr. Patrick Devedjian met with French Falun Dafa Association President Mr. Tang Hanlong at the French Ministry of the Interior. Mr. Devedjian expressed that the unreasonable acts conducted by the police against Falun Gong practitioners will not happen again.

"We believe therefore that the French authorities should make a public apology to the Falun Gong practitioners for an episode which contravenes the basic democratic right of all citizens to demonstrate peacefully. It is totally unacceptable that the French authorities should allow the same sort of human rights abuse currently taking place in China to be transferred to the streets of one of the largest democracies in the western world."

Member of the European Parliament Roger Helmer wrote a letter on January 23rd to the Ambassador of the French Embassy in England regarding the incident in which Falun Gong practitioners were stopped from joining the Chinese New Year celebration parade in Paris. He pointed out that the attempt to extend such a persecution to member countries of the European Union is completely unacceptable. “Although most of us will never practise Falun Gong ourselves, the very democratic principles of the French Republic are there to protect peaceful minority lifestyle choices."

"...we would like to call on the government of France to immediately initiate an investigation of this incident, and to ensure that essential human rights to freedom of association and freedom of belief are fully respected. France has been known as a democratic country with a long-standing history of liberty and freedom. What occurred yesterday brings doubt to the free world that France intends to respect that history."

"I was saddened to learn that you yielded to pressure for the dictators of China and stopped the French Falun Gong practitioners from participating in the Chinese New Year parade in Paris. France should have stayed true to European democratic and egalitarian principles by standing up to the pressure from China. China suppresses its own people and now France is allowing China to suppress the citizens of France from expressing their beliefs!"

'Amnesty International says in a report published today (Wed 28 January 2004) that since November 2002 there has been a dramatic rise in the number of people arrested and imprisoned for expressing their opinions online or for downloading information from the internet in China...Those detained in China include students, political dissidents, Falun Gong practitioners, workers, writers, lawyers, teachers, civil servants, former police officers, engineers, and businessmen.'

Some advocates stated in their letters that they were surprised to hear that the Chinese Embassy in Paris attempted to put pressure on France, the first country to advocate human rights, in order to stop Falun Gong practitioners taking part in the Chinese New Year celebration activities. The Falun Gong Association in France is a legally registered group and it has won the recognition of the French government for peacefully observing and obeying the law in the past four years.

The International Human Rights Organisation is a worldwide organisation for human rights, with twenty-five branches worldwide. It enjoys the attention of the European Parliament as well as having an Observer's Seat in the United Nations. As the President of the Austrian branch of the International Human Rights Association, Mrs. Glibb wrote a letter to the Mayor of Paris to express her concern about the Chinese Embassy blocking Falun Gong's application to participate in the Chinese New Year's parade.

Recently, Israeli practitioners have started to send letters to those in the legal profession in Israel. Some lawyers have already signed the petition, and one of them was so moved by the letter that he requested to meet practitioners immediately. When practitioners met him, he was eager to help in any way he could and even asked to read “Zhuan Falun”. At the end of the meeting, there were tears in his eyes, and he hugged practitioners warmly.

One German practitioner described the responses he received after he telling people that Xiong Wei had been released. “After hearing the news of Xiong Wei’s release, I went to several stores where I put the “Free Xiong Wei” postcards and told them the good news. I express my appreciation to them by giving the workers Dafa postcards with pictures of Lilies on them.

In October of 2003, German Dafa practitioners wrote letters to 3,246 German judges, 2,400 criminal lawyers, 192 professors of criminal law, and some members of Parliament in order to tell them about Jiang Zemin and the government officials who, together with policemen, have persecuted Falun Gong in China and are to be charged with crimes of Genocide and Torture.

"For the human rights status in China, we in the Swedish Diplomacy Committee have constantly paid attention to and raised the issue that concerns you. Our international representative has stated our point of view on this. When we meet with Chinese government representatives, we will speak to them about their actions against human rights, among which the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners is included."