Hunger Strike outside the UK Chinese Embassy

UK Falun Dafa practitioners today gathered in front of the Chinese Embassy in London to begin a ‘relay’ hunger strike, that will last until the 25th of April. This involves practitioners abstaining from food (although they will still drink water) for four days. They will then be replaced by other practitioners who will continue the hunger strike for a further four days. This is not an isolated event, but is being mirrored throughout Europe and America. In Canada, hunger-striking practitioners are remaining at the Chinese Embassy in Toronto for 24 hours per day, every day until April 25th.

The purpose of this hunger strike is to highlight recent events in the North East of China. Since the March 5th television broadcast in Changchun city, over 5000 practitioners have been arrested and dozens killed in that city alone. UK practitioners peacefully appealing outside of the London Chinese Embassy, were informing the public of Jiang Zemin’s recent order to “kill them without mercy”, and of the brutal violence that is occurring in China at this moment. One practitioner in London today stated: “This is the most horrifying and inhumane persecution in the world today. People of all ages and from all walks of life are being tortured and murdered by their own government for believing in Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance. The Chinese authorities show no regard for human life as they kill them without mercy, and the official death toll, which at the moment is 390, is increasing at an extremely alarming rate. We appeal to all kind-hearted people to take immediate action and help to stop the brutal mass-murder of innocent Falun Gong practitioners.”

Below are some addresses to send appeals against the persecution in China. Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible in Chinese, English or your own language:

- urging the authorities to guarantee the safety of all those detained in connection with the take-over of the Changchun TV station and during the ensuing police operation, and to clarify their names and whereabouts;

- urging the authorities to ensure that all those detained have immediate access to lawyers, their families and medical attention;

- calling on the authorities to release immediately and unconditionally all Falun Gong members detained solely for the peaceful exercise of their fundamental human rights;

- expressing your concern at repeated reports that Falun Gong members have suffered torture and other serious human rights violations, and calling on the authorities to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.

APPEALS TO:

Premier of the People's Republic of China

ZHU Rongji Zongli

Guowuyuan

9 Xihuangchenggenbeijie

Beijingshi 100032

People's Republic of China

Faxes: +86 10 6 520 6722 (c/o Ministry of Justice)

+86 10 6 529 2345 (c/o Ministry of Justice)

Telex: 210070 FMPRC CN or 22478 MFERT CN

Telegram: Premier Zhu Rongji, Beijing, China

Salutation: Your Excellency

Director of the Jilin Provincial Department of Public Security

ZHAO YONGJI Tingzhang

Jilin Gong'anting

42 Xinfalu

Changchunshi 130051

Jilinsheng

People's Republic of China

Telegram: Director, Provincial Public Security Department, Changchun,

Jilin, China

Salutation: Dear Director

Governor of the Jilin Provincial People's Government

HONG Hu Shengzhang

Jilinsheng Renmin Zhengfu

11 Xinfa Lu

Changchunshi 130051

Jilinsheng

People's Republic of China

Telegram: Governor, Changchun, Jilin Province, China

Salutation: Dear Governor

COPIES TO:

Xinhua News Agency

E-mail: [email protected]