Amnesty International had appealed for the Prime Minister of the Federation to express his stance during his visit to China from December 29 to 31: anti-terrorism cannot be used as an excuse to harm internationally recognised human rights. Mr. Pleiter warned, “Silence will be thought of as acceptance of the Chinese leaders behaviour.”

"Supporters of the Tibetan cause wholeheartedly join the demonstration against this “anti-subversion law” in Hong Kong. Since Hong Kong was returned to China in 1997, basic liberties have been constantly decreased; freedom of thought, freedom of association, freedom of belief...movements like Falun Gong are being repressed more and more...this is why we support all initiatives that defend people’s fundamental right of freedom."

Author Gavin Menzies has written a book claiming that an enormous Chinese fleet discovered America in 1421, 70 years before Columbus. He says that they mapped the world and created settlements in North and South America, Australia, New Zealand, across the Pacific and in the Indian Ocean. Here is a radio interview with the author.

Ex-Chancellor Mr Kenneth Clark expressed his doubts about the Hong Kong authority’s claims regarding the proposed proscription mechanism. He said, "The Hong Kong Secretary of State claims that the proposals are not aimed at particular groups, but we must all await the actual draft of the Bill's wording before we can rest assured on this immensely important part of it."

'My fiancée was arrested in Beijing on the 4 November and now I do not know where she is. Chinese security services went to see her parents, but would not say where she is... My dream is that she can come to the UK and we can marry, but that is a long way away. I am hoping that the British government will put pressure on the Chinese government to free her.'

'They urge MEPs to speak out against legislation in Hong Kong [called Article 23; an anti-subversion law which is being used by the Jiang regime against Falun Gong], which would jeopardize its freedom of speech.'

"We hear not only what Hong Kong’s religious groups, but also Hong Kong’s economists, press and journalists are telling us, and we must take these concerns very seriously. These concerns clearly tell us that the opposition will be silenced, that freedom of speech, freedom of the press, the right to publish and the right of assembly, as well as the right and the freedom to form labour unions are no longer guaranteed."

At the moment, 6.5 million people in Hong Kong are being threatened with the loss of their basic right of expression, belief and association by Article 23, a proposed law in Hong Kong. Swedish Falun Gong practitioners appealed to the public to support an international petition against this threat to the human rights of Hong Kong citizens.

"Last weekend, a large demonstration in Hong Kong illustrated the genuine concerns that Article 23 laws could undermine existing human rights and civil and religious liberties. I share these concerns and I urge the Hong Kong SAR Government to address them in the final proposals that they bring forward."

"In September the government of Hong Kong put forward a suggestion for a new law that threatens freedom of speech, freedom of the press and freedom of belief in the region. The Falun Gong movement, as well as Christian Churches that are not approved of by the Chinese government, would have the same legal status in Hong Kong as it has had in China since 1999."

“At this moment, civil rights is not just a concern in Hong Kong, it is a global concern...What we need to do is to express those concerns to the Hong Kong government to ensure that this unique law is not used to suppress people’s rights.

"The strength of Hong Kong lies in the fact that the ‘one country, two systems’ principle has been able to be maintained. I fear, and many with me, that this change will undermine that principle severely. This would, of course, be completely unacceptable. The fact that Mainland China is exerting pressure to make this change happen is not comforting...If a group such as Falun Gong, which is forbidden in China, were also to be forbidden in Hong Kong, it would be a serious violation of the principle: one country, two systems."

"Power, money and economy are treading on human rights. This vicious circle must be broken in as many regions as possible. A very good opportunity has been provided to Zürich – to highlight the issue of Falun Gong in China. Human rights have been squashed in China, especially issues of conscience and belief."

"Note, as an article that only gained its form after the Tiananmen massacre in Beijing, Article 23 therefore reflects the Chinese communist paranoia of then and now. The negative reaction of even the business class in Hong Kong speaks for itself. It reflects a broad civil discontent about a diffuse consultation process about the legal execution of article 23."

"We hope that Hong Kong will not follow the Chinese system of general regulations that allow completely random persecution of political dissidents. In particular we fear, just like Mrs. Malmström, for the adherents of Falun Gong whose peaceful protest cannot justify any persecution."

European Friends of Falun Gong wrote to Queen Elizabeth to inform her about the persecutory nature of Article 23. Friends of Falun Gong is a non-profit making organisation consisting of non-practitioners who support freedom of belief for Falun Gong practitioners. To find out more, please visit www.fofg-europe.org.

The Austrian Christian Solidarity International (CSI) is a Christian human rights organization. To arouse people’s concern over those being cruelly persecuted in China, and ensure people do not forget practitioners being incarcerated and physically abused, a Christmas card campaign was launched on December 24.

'One Hong Kong citizen told a reporter that she was brought up in Mainland China where she and her family were persecuted. She had been sentenced to eight months of labour “re-education” [Jiang regime's term for brainwashing] without trial. She said that she did not want to see Beijing’s terror tactics exported to Hong Kong.'

The European branch of the Global League Against Article 23 gathered in Frankfurt to protest against the establishment of Article 23 in Hong Kong. This protest activity received support from many non-governmental organizations, including student associations from across Germany and democratic rights associations.

"I appreciate you taking the time write to me and am very sympathetic with the points that you raise. I would like to assure you that my colleagues and I in the Liberal Democrats take your concerns very seriously..."

'Article 23 will endanger the integrity of Hong Kong’s [financial and judicial] systems and will block the free flow and exchange of information and ideas. By doing this, Article 23 will endanger economic vitality and stability in Hong Kong, things which have always been the mainstay and strength of the region.'

'This government, together with our EU partners, takes very seriously the human rights concerns of Falun Gong members. Both the Taoiseach [Irish equivalent to the Prime Minister] and Minister Cowen have raised the issue on a number of occasions with the Chinese authorities...The rights of Falun Gong members have also been raised through European Union channels..Ireland has also pursued this issue through the United Nations.'

'I am very concerned about the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners that is taking place in the PRC and obviously therefore I share the concern expressed in this demonstration today at the risk that the proposed article 23 legislation in Hong Kong may leads to repression in Hong Kong itself.'

Oona King MP wrote on 19 November: "I agree with the [UK] Government in opposing the Chinese suppression of religions and practices such as Falun Gong."

'The guise of secession and subversion, combined with increased police power, would turn Hong Kong into a police state. Not only this, but questions would arise over the safety of the media, business and other sectors of society.'

When talking about the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners, the president of the International Human Rights Association condemned the Chinese government as a “dictatorship without morals,” and the persecution as a “vicious circle of violence.”

MEPs expressed concern over the Article 23 legislation in Hong Kong by adopting a resolution emphasising that the future development of relations with China hinges on respect for the full autonomy of Hong Kong and the freedom of the Hong Kong citizens.

"This is a very important issue and one that I have been following closely...If this particular change [toward more draconian laws] does occur as a result of pressure from the Chinese Government, I will make representation to the British Government. Certain moves have already been made regarding this subject."

"I was interested to read your comments about Hong Kong and the introduction of Article 23 and sympathise with your concerns. I appreciate your letting me know and I will follow further developments carefully."

'Why does [jiang Zemin] want to persecute innocent people? Perhaps because he is jealous of Falun Gong which touched people’s hearts, as 100 million people began to practise Falun gong in only several years and started to follow the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance.'

"I have received a number of representations expressing concern about the proposed Article that would appear to take your government one step closer to proscribing Falun Gong as an illegal organisation. You will be well aware of the hostility to any such a move that is shared across the international community."

“My Lords, do we not have a continuing obligation under the Sino-British Joint Declaration to ensure that legislation passed in the Hong Kong SAR is compatible with the international covenants and thus with the Basic Law? Will the Government therefore suggest to the Hong Kong SAR that the draft legislation be submitted for an opinion to the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva before it is laid before the legislature?”

A senior Conservative Party MP was contacted by UK Falun Gong practitioners regarding their concerns about the Article 23 legislation. He replied that he and his colleagues and his colleagues "saw the problems at first hand during a recent visit to Hong Kong. They are pressing the Hong Kong authorities very strongly to take seriously all views expressed."

The Social Democrats does view the Chinese regime’s attempt to implement the controversial “article 23” into the Hong Kong legislation with great concern. We’ll raise the issue with our EU collaborators as soon as the occasion arises.

'Thanks you for your letter on the Hong Kong authority’s introduction of Article 23 legislation and the implications for the Falun Gong...I have raised this issue in a letter to Chris Pattern, now the EU’s Commissioner for External Relations, and whom I know takes these issues very seriously.'

If the Hong Kong government wishes to continue to be seen as a democratic, open and free society then it must abandon the implementation of this proposed law. Not to do so threatens all those who live and work in Hong Kong, including those of its citizens who wish to practice Falun Gong, and those who wish to defend the right of others to do so.

'My name is David Norris. I’m a member of the upper house of the Irish Parliament and I’m standing here today outside the Irish Parliament and protesting about the treatment of Falun Dafa practitioners within China and the infringement of their human rights.'

'A complaint has been lodged in France by Belgian and French nationals in the name of universal competence against Chinese Vice-Premier Li Lanqing during a visit [of Li Lanqing to France].'

'We appeal in the strongest terms to those in positions of power in Hong Kong not to allow China to exert its influence on the administration of affairs in Hong Kong. They must stand up to China and maintain the ‘One country – two systems’ principle in the spirit in which it was agreed in 1997.'

"As they stand, the proposals go far beyond what is needed to implement Article 23 of the Basic Law and may increase restrictions on fundamental human rights," the international human rights organisation said. "There is a danger that those exercising these rights could be imprisoned as prisoners of conscience."

Parliament HK Committee Chairman: HK government “must demonstrate” that “they would not be forced to ban organisations that were banned in the mainland.” Chairman of the Parliament all-party group on China “The House has continuing responsibilities in relation to Hong Kong under the terms of the joint declaration.”

"If the Government's aspiration to become Asia's World City is to be fulfilled then it must ensure that the rights and freedoms (as outlined in the Joint Declaration and the Basic Law) are protected, the rule of law remains intact, and the "one country two systems" principle is upheld."

'What approaches will be adopted by the European Commission to prevent the Hong Kong government from legislating on the Article 23 of the Basic Law?'

"As Foreign Office Minister Bill Rammell said yesterday, the UK has a responsibility to ensure that rights and freedoms enshrined in the Joint Declaration are maintained - and that any new legislation must be compatible with these rights and freedoms and with maintaining Hong Kong's autonomy."

"We are closely following the debate on the SAR Government’s proposals for legislation to fulfil their obligations under Article 23 of the Basic Law. As a co-signatory to the Sino-British Joint Declaration on Hong Kong we have a responsibility to ensure that the rights and freedoms enshrined in the Joint Declaration are maintained."

Mr. Alistair Carmichael, MP for Orkney and Shetland, stated, “If we allow ourselves to be seen as tolerating such abuses, the danger is that the view from inside China will be that we are more than tolerating them—that we accept and agree with them. That would be entirely regrettable.”

"But what the world today does not need less of is quietening down, meditation and knowing oneself. Only in this way shall we all be able to feel free and safe. Falun Gong connects both of these needs. That is the reason why I am personally sympathetic to the Falun Gong movement."

"The EU has repeatedly expressed to China’s authorities its concern of the actions against spiritual groups. The EU has also in the same way brought up with China’s authorities some single cases concerning members of Falun Gong. This will be done in the future too."