On the 26th of June 2004, United Nations International Day in Support of Torture Victims, Falun Gong practitioners in the Czech Republic held a press conference at Krizovnicke Square in Prague, to call for an end to the brutal campaign of torture waged against Falun Gong practitioners in China. The following is a statement of support sent to the press conference by Czech Member of Parliament Mr Petr Pleva.

"The tragedy is that people don’t deal with their real enemies but are cruel to others who don’t harm them and are in fact just the opposite: those who believe in truthfulness, kindness and rational contemplation. Among such tragic manifestations is the persecution and torture of Falun Gong practitioners by the present Chinese Communist regime. I have come to understand the teachings of this movement, I think quite well, and I can hardly imagine what has caused the ruling regime’s hatred."

"On this occasion I want to express my support to persecuted Falun Gong practitioners in China, I want to praise their bravery and endurance. I also want to express my hope that the constant pressure by the world’s public opinion will finally force the representatives of the Chinese government to apply their Human Rights policy in accordance with the United Nations’ stipulations."

"I felt the need to give and show my support to those who were victims of the persecution and torture, especially those who have suffered such tragedy in China...There are hundred of thousands that suffer hardship because of this...I’m here today to show my support and solidarity with those who publicise worldwide the torture and persecution of the Falun Gong practitioners in China."

On March 31st 2004, French senator Bernard Joly wrote a letter to the newly-appointed Minister of Internal Affairs Mr Dominique De Villepin about the mistreatment of Falun Gong practitioners by French policemen during the period of the Chinese chairman Hu Jintao’s visit on January the 26th 2004. In his response, Mr De Villepin promises to carry out a special investigation into the case.

When the Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao visited Ireland in May, Falun Gong practitioners staged a peaceful appeal by practising exercises, and appealed for bringing Jiang Zemin, who is the driving force behind the persecution of Falun Gong, to justice. Meanwhile, practitioners called for the release of two practitioners from Liaoning province in China, Liu Feng and Yang Fang, and for their safe return to Ireland to continue their studies.

In January 2004, Jiang's regime, who are responsible for the brutal persecution of Falun Gong, lied to and exerted pressure on the French police who were blind to the truth. The police were instructed to harass Falun Gong practitioners. Thereafter, Falun Gong practitioners took the initiative to tell the truth to people at all levels of society, demanding those involved to admit administrative responsibility and apologise.

The seminar tour of Scandinavia regarding the current human rights situation in China was in Finland, on Thursday May the 13th 2004. Separate hearings organised by the Finnish Parliament's human rights group and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were held successfully in Helsinki, the capital of Finland. A news briefing for the media was also held. Speakers included Falun Gong practitioner Ms Jane Dai from Australia and the executive director of the Association for Asian Research, Mr. Erping Zhang,

The Norwegian Parliament was the venue for a seminar on the human rights situation in China. It was hosted by Parliament members and co-arranged by the Norwegian Falun Dafa Association. Many parliament members and representatives from human rights organisations and persecuted groups attended the seminar.

On May the 12th 2004, Swedish MPs from five parties jointly held a seminar in parliament on human rights in China. This seminar aroused great interest from MPs, the media and human rights organisations, as well as the persecuted groups in China. This is the first time that a seminar on Human Rights in China was jointly held by MPs from five parties in Sweden .

"The uniformed police took these people to the Paris fourth police station for an identity and security check when they were about to go into the metro station near the city government square. This lady pointed out that the search was carried out in a very rude manner and that they did not do anything to justify this action. She thinks that they were arrested simply because they were wearing yellow scarves with Falun Gong symbols."

"Is the [Prime Minister] aware of the various methods used to persecute the Falun Gong in China: rape, gang rape, throwing stripped female practitioners into male prison cells, using electric batons to shock practitioners' sensitive body parts, imprisonment in water cells where the practitioners are immersed in dirty water with no light, stretching and tying practitioners' limbs to the four corners of a metal bed?"

"The government takes seriously the concern about human rights in China, including those of Falun Dafa members...Through the dialogue, the EU shares with China its experience in the field of human rights protection and promotion, and urges China to improve the human rights situation generally, and more specifically with respect freedoms of expression, religion and belief, which have a particular impact on individual practitioners of Falun Dafa."

"The issue of the treatment in China of followers of Falun Dafa has been raised both bilaterally and through the formal framework of the EU-China Human Rights Dialogue, which was established in 1996. Through the Dialogue, the EU shares with China its experience in the field of human rights protection and promotion, and urges China to take clear steps to improve the human rights situation generally, and more specifically with respect to the freedoms of expression, religion and belief, which have a particular impact on individual practitioners of Falun Dafa."

The Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) said that he raised the Chinese occupation of Tibet and the suppression of the Falun Gong spiritual movement during a two-hour meeting with Mr Wen, who is on a two-day state visit to Ireland. "For decades China refused to engage at all with the various human rights bodies," he said. "They have now agreed to do so, which is a considerable achievement and they were responding to a request, not a request that I thought up, but a request that human rights bodies have asked us to do.

"The French police arrested about fifty Falun Gong supporters on January 24th-25th, 2004, in Paris. It appears as if the French authorities acted on the demands from communist China (PRC). What steps will the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers take to ensure the freedom of speech, freedom to wear yellow scarves, and freedom to express religious and political opinion publicly even for Falun Gong supporters in France?"

According to a European Report (EU/China) on May 15th, Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern said on May 12th, after meeting Chinese Premier Wen Jaibao, that he raised the issues of the suppression of the Falun Gong spiritual movement and other human rights violations during a two-hour meeting with Mr. Wen, who was on a two-day state visit to Ireland.

"It looks like as if the reason for those people being arrested is because they were wearing yellow, a colour that is associated with Falun Gong. Many instances of this kind of interrogation were filmed and it is possible that the filming will be shown in China so as to prove the legitimisation of the persecution against this group of people. He wished to know the cause of these incidents and to have a reasonable explanation regarding the qualifications for these measures."

In January of this year, a few people in the French government caved in to pressure and economic temptation from Jiang’s dictatorial regime and decided to exclude Falun Gong, a legally registered group in France that represents the best of Chinese traditional culture, from participating in the Chinese New Year parade on the Champs Elysees. Several Falun Gong practitioners were also illegally stopped, searched and detained by the police in Paris, by order of a few individuals in the French government under pressure from the Jiang regime.

A German MP, Mr. Hermann Groehe, who is also the president of the Christian Democratic Party’s branch of the Government’s Human Rights Association, wrote a letter in reply to German Falun Gong practitioners on the 6th of April, stating that he agreed with the EU’s decision of supporting the U.S resolution on condemning China for its human rights performance.

From the 24th to the 28th of January, 2004, during the time of the China-France cultural parade and Hu Jintao's visit to France, several Falun Gong practitioners were arbitrarily arrested and mistreated in Paris because of pressure from the Chinese regime. Falun Gong practitioners wrote to National Assembly Members, pointing out the unfair treatment Falun Gong practitioners received in Paris at the end of January.

French police, who were unaware of the truth about Falun Gong, arrested practitioners. After the incident, French practitioners let people in French political circles know more about Falun Gong and requested that the responsible persons bear legal responsibilities and apologise. The Falun Gong practitioners’ appeal is receiving more and more attention and support from people.

After Falun Gong practitioners were detained arbitrarily in Paris due to pressure from the Jiang regime’s lies, they decided to contact all MPs in France to tell them about this incident that violated human rights in France. A lot of members of Parliament were moved when they heard about it and positively expressed their support for us. A member of the Parliament in the 11th section, Mr. Patrick Bloche, is one of them.

"I cannot do anything but agree that the treatment meted out to those who belong to Falun Gong, and also to people who are in favour or belong to other persuasions and those with different views, is, from the viewpoint of human rights, unacceptable. That is why I join the voices of those who challenge the representatives of the Peoples Republic of China to re-evaluate their policy toward such groups of citizens and end their persecution."

Czech Falun Gong practitioners organised a Press Conference outside the seat of the President's Office. Several VIPs joined the appeal with a statement, “We join the appeal to stop the persecution of Falun Gong members and other prisoners of conscience in China and call on the President Mr Vaclav Klaus to unambiguously express support to these people.“

"Thank you very much for letting me know the situation of the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China. I felt distress and anger when I read about the few brief and particular cases you mentioned in your letter. At the same time, I sincerely wish that the Falun Gong practitioners’ difficult situation can be improved and solved as soon as possible."

The 60th Session of the U.N. Human Rights Commission is being held in Geneva from March the 15th to April the 23rd 2004. Member of the German Human Rights Committee, Mr. Haibach, who is also member of the German Parliament, arrived in Geneva on Monday. Here is a transcript of an interview held prior to his departure for Geneva.

In March 2004, French MPs Christina Jeanjean and Roger Karoutchi sent letters to Falun Gong practitioners expressing concern about the French police’s misconduct towards Falun Gong practitioners at the time of Hu Jintao’s visit during the Chinese New Year, and asking the French government for a strict investigation. Roger Karoutchi said in his letter, “The issue you stated is extremely serious, so I will definitely ask the French government to allow the facts to be openly discussed.”

'You mentioned in your letter that China (Jiang’s regime) persecuted the human rights of the Falun Gong group who persevere in practicing a traditional Chinese meditation practice. For this reason, I have passed all this information to the foreign department of my country. Regarding this issue, my country will carry on investigating and will reply and provide help accordingly.'

In the last two months, several Lords and MPs have raised questions in the UK parliament about China’s worsening human rights record. For example, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Mr. Bill Rammell, said, “…we urge that the rights of Falun Gong adherents be respected.”

The Celebration of the Chinese New Year in Paris this February was marked by the harassment of Falun Gong practitioners by the French police, who were under pressure from the Chinese government. A French Falun Gong practitioner wrote a letter to his MP. The MP Mr. Alain Marleix replied and suggested that the incident be investigated. Mr. Marleix immediately forwarded the practitioner’s letter to the president of UMP, his political party, and suggested an investigation of this incident. He also expressed his concern to the relevant departments.

On March the 15th, Mr. Ueli Leuenberger, member of the Swiss Federal Parliament, and Ms. Maria Roth-Bernasconi, councillor of Geneva State, sent speeches to the anti-persecution press conference held by Falun Gong practitioners at the Places Des Nations. In Mr. Leuenberger’s letter, he indicated his support for practitioners’ efforts to promote the value of human rights in China.

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!”

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.”

"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 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."

“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 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."

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.

"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."

"I very much share your concern at the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China and agree that more action should be taken by the UN and its leading members to highlight this and bring pressure on the Chinese authorities to cease their disgraceful activities."

"The Finnish government has continued to pay close attention to human rights situation in China. Just like I mentioned in the letter sent to you on the 25th of November 2002, Falun Gong issue is being looked at all the time in the relations between China and Finland as well as in the European Union."

"I was glad to hear from you and appreciate your very real and deep concerns about persecution of Falun Dafa practitioners in China. This is a concern which I and the Labour Party as a whole share, and we have raised it on numerous occasions in the Dail. I enclose some Parliamentary Questions which we have put to the Minister for Foreign Affairs on this topic in recent times, along with the Minister’s replies."

"On November 13 2003, UK Member of Parliament Marris wrote to Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, urging the Chinese government to release Falun Gong practitioners unconditionally. Marris said in his letter, they are incarcerated solely because of their expression of their peacefully held belief. "I strongly urge the Chinese government to ensure that independent investigation is carried out into the allegations and released them unconditionally if the allegations are upheld."

Prior to the Summit meeting between the EU and China, Italian MP Giannu Vernetti and Senator Alessandro Forlani jointly wrote to the President of the European Commission, Romano Prodi, and to the Italian Premier, Berlusconi, to urge them to put the issue of China’s human rights on top of their agenda during the bilateral dialogue with China.

One Scottish Member of Parliament wrote, “This sort of barbaric practice has to stop, you cannot attack and torture people for exercising their belief in freedom, democracy and justice to speak for those who cannot.”

Letters were sent from the Vice-President of the French Parliament to the Foreign Minister stating that France must react powerfully to the human rights violations against Falun Gong. The letters also said that the Chinese government must change its attitude towards Falun Gong.

Since 1999, the Chinese government has begun a systematic suppression of Falun Gong believers. Nearly 71 million people are under persecution (subject to arrest, detention, torture, re-education through labour, forced into psychiatric clinics and death). As a consequence of this, Eric Dlard demands to know from the Minister, what diplomatic policy our government will adopt to end this severe human rights abuse.

Facing this regrettable situation, we, in France, need to act vigorously to urge the Chinese government to change its attitude toward Falun Gong practitioners. I demand the Minister to inform the Chinese government of our position on this matter.