United States: Congressman Frank Wolf Shows Support for Falun Gong at Washington DC Rally

On July 22, 2003, US Congressman and Chairman of Congressional Human Rights Caucus Frank Wolf from Virginia wrote in the statement of support to the Washington DC Falun Gong Rally that "As we speak out for human rights and religious freedom, our words can be a light for the persecuted who languish in the darkness."

He said in his statement, "Over the last four years China has detained hundreds of thousands Falun Gong practitioners. Detainees endure severe abuse and torture, women are often raped. Hundreds have died in forced labour camps. Falun Gong practitioners have suffered greatly at the hands of Chinese officials. It is time for the state-sponsored, state-led persecution in China to stop."

"Rule of law is nonexistent in China. Trials often take place in secrecy and violate international judicial standards such as due process and affording the accused a right to appeal. "

"Approximately 230,000 people are serving sentences in "reeducation through labour camps" where people can be arbitrarily detained for up to three years without a trial. Conditions in these gulags are deplorable."

"America must be a country that stands up for basic decency and human rights. America must speak out on behalf of those who cannot speak for themselves -- men and women who are being persecuted on account of their religious or political beliefs. Our foreign policy must be a policy that helps promote human rights and freedom. Not a policy that sides with dictators who oppress their own citizens in order to increase our commercial prosperity."

He said, "As we speak for human rights and religious freedom, our words can be a light for the persecuted who languish in the darkness. Those suffering persecution are encouraged when the United States speaks out on their behalf."

He ended up his statement with a quote from Elie Weisel's 1986 acceptance speech when he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize:

"the world did know and remained silent... We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented... Wherever men or women are persecuted because of their race, religion, or political views, that place must, at that moment, become the centre of the universe."