EFGIC: U.S. Congress Condemns China's Oppression of Falun Gong on U.S. Soil and in China

House Concurrent Resolution 304 calls on China’s agents in the United States to halt all operations being carried out against practitioners of Falun Gong on United States soil, as well as the brutal persecution of millions inside China.

LONDON (EFGIC) – Last week, the US Congress introduced a concurrent resolution calling on the Chinese government to end its brutal persecution of Falun Gong in China and stop all activities against Falun Gong practitioners inside the United States.

House Concurrent Resolution 304 (full text), introduced by Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen of Florida, references China’s own constitution and international human rights accords in calling for China to uphold freedom of belief, assembly, and speech for the millions of Falun Gong practitioners in Mainland China.

Resolution 304 also specifically mentioned section 401(a)(1)(B) of the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (22 U.S.C. 6401(a)(1)(B)): “Whereas the Constitution of the United States guarantees freedom of religion, the right to assemble, and the right to speak freely, and the people of the United States strongly value protecting the ability of all people to live without fear and in accordance with their personal beliefs...”

Harassment, libel, and imprisonment have been widespread in Jiang Zemin’s four-year campaign to eradicate Falun Gong. Torture and abuse in custody have led to thousands of wrongful deaths.

Agents of China’s Communist Party Operating in the US

Unknown men secretly videotaping Falun Gong practitioners in a Washington DC Park; members of a Pro-Communist Chinese Association assaulted Falun Gong practitioners outside a New York City restaurant. (more details)

In addition, Resolution 304 calls on China’s agents in the United States to halt all operations being carried out against practitioners of Falun Gong on United States soil.

The resolution makes reference to China’s agents carrying out acts of violence and assault, property theft and destruction, illegal wire-tapping, harassment, intimidation, and persecution against practitioners of Falun Gong in the United States.

Chinese Consular officials have attempted to pressure government officials across the U.S. to recant support for Falun Gong’s rights and Falun Gong activities in the United States. In fact, earlier this year, 38 members of Congress filed an Amended Brief of Amicus Curiae in support of the Falun Gong lawsuit against former head of state Jiang Zemin for his lead role in instigating the persecution (news).

The resolution also cites the case of Dr. Charles Lee, an American citizen illegally detained in China since the beginning of 2003 for his association with Falun Gong (in-depth). Dr. Lee had traveled to China to broadcast T.V. programs over the state-run television networks exposing the human rights violations against Falun Gong. While in custody, Dr. Lee has been subjected to mental and physical torture by Chinese authorities.

Resolution 304 requests four main courses of action:

1. That the Government of the People’s Republic of China cease all persecutory activities of Falun Gong practitioner on US soil, as well as in China, including releasing prisoners of conscience.
2. That the President of the United States issue a statement condemning these illegal acts, and work to bring the perpetrators to justice.
3. That the Attorney General of the US investigate the incidents of harassment and violence against Falun Gong practitioners in the US by agents of the Chinese consulate and follow up with legal action.
4. That local government bodies in the US report further illegal acts and continue to recognize and support the rights of Falun Gong practitioners.

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Background

Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a practice of meditation and exercises with teachings based on the universal principle of Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance. It is a practice that was taught in private for thousands of years before being made public in 1992 by Mr. Li Hongzhi. Falun Gong has roots in traditional Chinese culture, but it is distinct and separate from other practices such as the religions of Buddhism and Taoism. Since its introduction in 1992, it quickly spread by word of mouth throughout China, and is now practiced in over 50 countries.

With government estimates of as many as 100 million practicing Falun Gong, Chinas then-Communist leader, Jiang Zemin, outlawed the peaceful practice in July 1999, fearful of anything touching the hearts and minds of more citizens than the Communist Party. Unable to crush the spirit of millions who had experienced improved health and positive life changes from Falun Gong, Jiangs regime has intensified its propaganda campaign to turn public opinion against the practice while quietly imprisoning, torturing and even murdering those who practice it. To that end, Jiang established the 6-10 Office, a Gestapo-like agency spanning from the Central Government to the local governments. The United States Congress has described the 6-10 Office as an agency charged with overseeing the persecution of Falun Gong members through organized brainwashing, torture, and murder.

The European Falun Gong Information Centre has verified details of 807 deaths since the persecution of Falun Gong in China began in 1999. In October 2001, however, Government officials inside China reported that the actual death toll was well over 1,600. Expert sources now estimate that figure to be much higher. Hundreds of thousands have been detained, with more than 100,000 being sentenced to forced labour camps, typically without trial.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT THE EUROPEAN FALUN GONG INFORMATION CENTRE
Peter Jauhal 44 (0) 7717 508 268 Nicolas Schols 32 (0) 479875734
More contacts: http://www.falungonginfo.net/europe.htm
Email: [email protected]