Dr Stephen Ladyman MP said “this is an issue about which I am deeply concerned”. Dr Ladyman has raised the issue with both the HK authorities and the UK Foreign Ministry.

"You may be pleased to learn that the human rights situation in Hong Kong has received serious attention within the European Parliament on many occasions. The persecution of the Falun Gong practitioners and general respect for human rights has been debated and MEPs have used their position to highlight the situation and apply pressure on the Commission and Council for action."

"Amnesty International is disappointed that the need to implement Article 23 of the Basic Law has not led to the removal of archaic laws and the development of legislation in line with human rights and international laws and standards. Instead the authorities have included more offences, many of which have the potential to conflict with human rights standards."

"As many as one in 10 websites may be deliberately blocked to users in China, a US study suggests."

The Foreign Minister pointed out: “the Sino-British joint declaration on Hong Kong…provides that Hong Kong should have a high degree of autonomy from mainland China,” In addition, “we have noted strong concerns among many sectors of Hong Kong society about the SAR Government's proposals”

Mr Helmer MEP asked: “How will the Commission oppose China's introduction of Article 23 which will tend to limit the right to free speech and freedom of the press in Hong Kong?”

The latest issue of the Austrian magazine Best of Vienna, which is published twice a year, contained a report on Falun Gong and some of the benfits of practising.

We have been informed about ongoing repressions and violence against Falun Gong supporters...Arbitrary detentions, imprisonment without fair trial, abuse, torture and death in police custody should come to an end. We urge China to respect freedom of worship, freedom of opinion and the individual rights of Chinese citizens.

Whatever the line taken by the new leadership of the Party, the desire to eradicate Falun Gong is totally absurd and doomed to failure. Inner freedom cannot be destroyed, even by the most powerful tools of suppression.

On November 7, 2002, a representative of the Ukraine government issued a certificate of merit to Falun Dafa practitioners who participated in the community expo. He said he understood Falun Dafa and that Dafa deserves the attention of the world's people.

[Finland's Minister for Foreign Affairs Erkki] Tuomioja also brought up the violations of the human rights of members of the Falun Gong [..] movement, which he said was a cause for concern in Finland and the rest of Europe.

Amnesty International is seriously concerned for the safety of sisters Luo Rong (also known as Yoko Kaneko), and Luo Zhen, who are at serious risk of torture or ill treatment...

“When the Minister is next able to raise the question of Falun Gong with the Chinese authorities, will he make particular mention of their refusal to renew the passports of Chinese citizens temporarily resident in this country?"

"..Religious beliefs, freedom of association and of expression and the media are routinely restricted. The crackdown on activists in the China Democracy party and the Falun Gong continues, and Falun Gong [practitioners] have been handed harsh sentences..."

"Britain has also expressed its concerns regarding the law, saying in a statement on Monday that any laws which undermined basic freedoms would be "seriously damaging" to the territory. And the Paris-based World Association of Newspapers warned on Wednesday that the legislation would "give excessive weight to national security at the expense of civil liberties, especially press freedom and freedom of speech"."

"In reply to your letter I have sponsored a motion in the European Parliament condemning the Hong Kong government’s proposals. I wish you all the best in your campaign against the introduction of Article 23."

It was said in the letters that France and the European Union have made efforts to improve human rights in China. Every six months they bring up with the Chinese Government issues such as violations of human rights, the freedom of speech for individuals and for groups, and the freedom to express ones’ opinion.

The widely opposed Article-23 legislation has caused deep concerns within the UK. Several MPs and Lords have raised the issue with UK and HK authorities and the UK government has urged the HK authority at various occasions to protect human rights and freedoms which must not be jeopardised by any legislation.

France is paying attention to the human rights violations in which Falun Gong [practitioners] are victims...[and] has anxiously taken note of the numerous allegations of torture surrounding this 3-year campaign.

She was detained while handing out Falun Gong leaflets to passers-by in Beijing...Amnesty International considers her to be a prisoner of conscience and is calling for her immediate and unconditional release.

Ms Zeng fled China after being incarcerated in a labour camp for twelve months because she is an adherent of Falun Gong. She is currently in Australia seeking asylum. Her attempts to ascertain why her husband was arrested and his present whereabouts have been unsuccessful. As she notes, her husband is not a follower of Falun Gong, he is non-political and is a businessman by profession.

"I have raised the issue of persecution of the Falun Gong in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing when a European Parliament delegation met Chinese ministers and I objected to the serious oppression they endure. Recently I have had a meeting with members of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong and raised my deep concerns about the increasing pressure being exerted by Beijing on Hong Kong’s liberal legislative traditions."

Two members of the UK House of Lords, Lord Hylton and Lord Avebury, have tabled written questions to question the UK government regarding Article 23 in Hong Kong, which poses an enormous threat to the fundamental freedoms as well as the autonomy of the territory.

"As the chinese regime changes, censorship of the internet is intensifying."

"..Trials are rare. Torture occurs in accounts of interrogation and police detention, including accounts of the treatment of foreign nationals. There are numerous reports of deaths in custody of Falun Gong adherents."

Speaking on behalf of the European Union at the 58th session of the Commission on Human Rights in Geneva, the Ambassador stated; "The persecution of...Falun Gong practitioners is particularly harsh and has led to a great number of cases of torture and deaths in custody."

UK Foreign Ministry: “These important principles [rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms] must not be compromised.”

"The High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms. Mary Robinson, made her concern regarding this issue known to the Cambodian authorities during her visit to that country at the end of August."

"I indeed support your cause on behalf of the Falun Gong and do not believe any regime should be allowed to get away with using bullying tactics, particularly to the extent that the Chinese regime has done in this case."

"I very much hope that you will use your powers to ensure that there is no repeat of the most regrettable incidents in the spring of this year when Falun Gong practitioners were treated very badly by police who seem to have been out of control. If Hong Kong wants to be a part of the modern world, it needs to leave behind the kind of mindset that has produced the proposal for its 'subversion' law."

The Office of Chris Patten, the EU Commissioner for External Affairs, wrote to a Falun Gong practitioner in September. The letter stated: "Concerning the development in Hong Kong, our delegation is monitoring them closely".

France and her European partners have been attentively following [details of the persecution of Falun Gong] since 1999..France seizes each high-level bilateral meeting to address the issue of human rights, as during the recent visit to France by the Chinese Prime Minister, Mr. Zhu Rongji

It is of particular concern to me when states respond to threats, whether perceived or real, without due process. When states use their power to oppress and persecute in this way, it becomes almost impossible for individuals to protect themselves and for independent observers to get to the truth of the matter.

"But the Falun Gong delegation had its 50-room hotel booking mysteriously cancelled a few days ago and were offered rooms elsewhere, far away from where Jiang is staying. The hotel insists it was suddenly overbooked. Perhaps the US has taken some tips from the UK which, three years ago, shamefully quashed all peaceful protest against Jiang while he was on a state visit to London."

Mr. Ian Luke MP and Mr. John Letford, Lord Provost of Dundee, with Baby Minghui and her parents. They are holding Baby Minghui’s new Chinese passport and her mother’s passport, on which her registration was stamped but later cancelled by the Chinese Embassy.

If Hong Kong wants to be a part of the modern world, it needs to leave behind the kind of mindset that has produced the proposal for its ‘subversion’ law...I urge the Hong Kong SAR government to investigate the human rights abuses that have been alleged and to drop the charges against Falun Gong practitioners.

This is the text of a letter from United Auto Workers President Ron Gettelfinger to President Bush urging him to advocate for the freedom of imprisoned trade unionists in China.

"..What Zhao Ming has gone through is quite different to what any other students of his age have gone through. Solely for his faith [in Falun Dafa], he was tormented by cruel torture in a labor camp in China."

On September 24 2002, one of Denmark's major newspapers, Jyllands-Posten, published photos of practitioners peacefully appealing at the Asia-Eruope Summit Meeting.

Left: One of the pictures to appear in Jyllands-Posten.

"Falun Gong encompasses five easy to learn movements and the teachings of Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance, the principles taught and thoroughly explained in the book Zhuan Falun. These all help people to lead a life of inner peace and harmony, free from excess stress."

On Monday 23rd September, International Human Rights Organisations urged the European Union to take an uncompromising stand and oppose the Chinese government’s suppression of Falun Gong and other minority groups.

"We have during the recent period experienced how the Danish authorities, in what can hardly be seen as anything other than obliging the Chinese authorities, have limited peaceful demonstrators protesting the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners...We strongly protest this. If we start to lose our democratic rights then the terrorists -- whether they are individuals or states -- have won."

"If Article 23 becomes law, it would mean the complete end of the Hong Kong people’s freedoms of speech, belief and expression. The adoption of an anti-subversion law based on Article 23 will do nothing more than extend the ability of Jiang Zemin’s regime to violate human rights as well as persecute Falun Gong and other peaceful democratic groups in Hong Kong."

"UNHCR remains deeply concerned for the well being of these individuals, and continues to seek assurances from the Government of the Kingdom of Cambodia that they, as well as other refugees and asylum seekers in the country are accorded and can meaningfully enjoy protection in conformity with the State’s international obligations."

"In Ireland there was a growing attention on his case, and Zhao Ming was released in March this year after international pressure from, among others, the Irish Prime Minister. Shortly after he was back in Ireland, even though he is physically free, he is still mentally captured."

'Given the continued human rights abuses in China and, as you note, the EU’s democratic tradition and way of life, it is of prime importance that Falun Gong practitioners be given every opportunity to perform and to be allowed to demonstrate their grievances.'

"“It is reprehensible and very non-Danish, if the Chinese authorities have taken part in the censorship of a Danish cultural festival”, says Peter Skaarup, The legal spokesman of The Danish Peoples Party, who has asked the Foreign Minister for a statement of the Chinese authorities’ role in the case."

“We are not on a confrontation course, but we will use our democratic rights to demonstrate. The Danish authorities have been pressed by the Chinese embassy, and for that reason we will not move,”

"With great dignity and complete peacefulness, the Falun Gong [practitioners] from Denmark, as well as from others countries including China, Poland, Germany, Holland and France, turned the attention to the suppression the movement is exposed to in China."

Mr. Lang met Falun Gong practitioners who were promoting Dafa in front of the Bastille Opera House and made the statement. They expressed sincere appreciation for Mr. Lang’s righteous actions. He said humbly that it was the least he could do. He felt very relieved that Zhao Ming eventually regained his freedom.