Radio Free Asia: Falun Gong Hold Activities Around Europe to Protest Against Five Years of Persecution

On 20th July 2004, Germany’s leaders paid tribute to the plotters who were executed due to their abortive assassination attempt sixty years ago. Meanwhile, the ongoing persecution connected to the same day in 1999 also drew much attention in Germany. The following report came from Tianyi, reporter of Radio Free Asia.

On 20th July 1944, Claus Schenk Graf von Strauffenberg planted a bomb in a briefcase in a conference room where Hitler was meeting with top military aides. The bomb exploded but Hitler escaped with only minor injuries. Later on, about 180 to 200 plotters were rounded up, tortured and executed by the Gestapo. By coincidence, on 20th July 1999, millions of people’s lives were turned upside down due to the brutal persecution against Falun Gong, orchestrated by the Chinese Communist Party dictator Jiang Zemin. During the past five years, more than 1000 Falun Gong practitioners have lost their lives due to torture and abuse in custody or prison, according to a human rights organisation report. Thousands were thrown into labour camps and prisons, while millions were forced into brainwashing classes.

On 20th July 2004, Germany’s Chancellor Her Schroeder led the tributes to the conspirators at a ceremony for their bravery against dictatorship, in Berlin. Meanwhile, Ms Zheng Zhihong, a spokesperson of Falun Gong in Germany, gave details of their appeal activities around Europe against the five-year-long persecution.

Regarding Falun Gong’s situation in Germany, Ms Zheng said, "With the efforts of human rights organisations and Falun Gong practitioners, the Falun Gong issue has raised more concerns from the German government than before. Last year, Both President Horst Koehler and the German Foreign Minister Joschka Fisher received detailed information about the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners before their visit to China."

Ms Zheng also introduced a significant change during the past five years.

The anniversary was also a reminder to Germans to defend the values of freedom and tolerance, the Germany media said. Even though sixty years has passed, people should not turn a blind eye to any brutal persecution or people killing by dictatorships, the media also said.