An Interview with a Representative of the European Branch of WOIPFG

Since July 1999, Jiang Zemin and his accomplices have persecuted Falun Gong. Last March, the World Organisation to Investigate the Persecution of Falun Gong (WOIPFG) established a European branch in Ulm, Germany. The following is an interview with a representative of this organisation, Martin Klitzler.

Reporter: Mr. Klitzler, Could you talk about the European branch of WOIPFG?

Martin Klitzler: Yes, I would like to explain why the European branch of WOIPEG was set up in Germany. This issue may help people to have a better understanding of the nature of this organisation.

We all know that Germany committed unthinkable crimes of genocide more than a half century ago. German people, even those of my generation who have not personally experienced the genocide, have not forgotten these incidents. The well-known trials for war crimes in the wake of World War II took place in Nuremberg, Germany. Today, the City Government of Nuremberg has the only human rights office established by the state. One of its main purposes is to remind people of the tragedy that took place in Germany and that the pursuit of war criminals from World War II still is going on. I think that the German people have a special obligation to oppose and remind people of any crimes incorporating genocide. The reason for this is that no matter where it takes place, it is antagonistic to universal human values and peace that all human beings should abide by, as well as being harmful to the entire human race.

Right now, genocide is taking place in China - Jiang Zemin’s persecution of Falun Gong. One of the purposes of establishing the European branch of the WOIPFG in Germany is to let people know that history will not be forgotten and to urge people to stop history repeating itself.

Reporter: Someone once said that the Jewish people, who were murdered by the Nazis, far outnumber Falun Gong practitioners who have been murdered and therefore the persecution of Falun Gong does not count as genocide. What is your view on this?

Martin Klitzler: A person who says this does not understand the nature of the persecution against Falun Gong. In terms of the figures posted on Falun Gong websites, nearly 800 Falun Gong practitioners have died as a result of the persecution, at least 6000 people have been sentenced [to jail], more than one hundred thousand people have been sentenced to forced labour camps and thousands have been placed into mental institutions and forced to take medication that destroys the central nervous system. Indeed, in terms of the number of deaths, the persecution of Falun Gong is by no way comparable to that of the Jewish people. However, I would like to take this opportunity to make five points about genocide.

Firstly, Hitler took twelve years to reach that scale of persecution. Yet, the persecution of Falun Gong only began four years ago and it has spread to many countries all over the world.

Secondly, more than half a century ago, people in Germany and other countries could not find any information about the persecution of the Jewish people. As a result, Hitler could implement his plan without obstruction. However, not long after the persecution of Falun Gong, information spread out of China. Since 1999, the decisions and pleas of the international community have put a great deal of pressure on Jiang Zemin’s government. In this globalised world, China cannot do anything except consider the international community's reaction. Jiang Zemin and his accomplices must have some misgivings.

Thirdly, during World War II, Hitler did not force the Jewish people to give up their belief but instead sent them directly to the gas chamber. Jiang Zemin, however, gave the order to use inhumane torture and other measures to destroy one’s spirit and pressure Falun Gong practitioners into write testimonies to give up their beliefs. According to the United Nations’ definition of genocide, genocide applies not only to the elimination of the physical body, but also to the severe physical and spiritual damage of a specific group. This applies to [Jiang Zemin’s] persecution of Falun Gong.

Fourthly, in terms of the methods of persecution, Jiang Zemin has employed the same methods as Hitler. That is to generate extensive rumours, or to exert enormous pressure on victims. Jiang Zemin has also spread rumours worldwide to mislead the international society.

And finally, Hitler established the Gestapo, Jiang Zemin established the “610 Office". Both were/are above the law. Hitler used them to pave the way for the murder of Jewish people, while Jiang Zemin forces people to give up their beliefs. However, the two share the same purpose: that is to eliminate a specific group.

Reporter: Speaking of the “610 Office", when Luo Gan visited four European countries in early September, Falun Gong practitioners filed lawsuits in those four countries accusing Luo Gan of committing the crimes of torture and genocide. In your view, what are the prospects of these lawsuits?

Martin Klitzler: At present, in North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia, Falun Gong practitioners have filed or are preparing to file lawsuits against Chinese officials responsible for the persecution of Falun Gong. Judging from our information, a strong front has been formed, and a US court has made some decisions that are favourable to Falun Gong. For example, charges have been sustained against the following people for their persecution of Falun Gong practitioners: Zhao Zhifei, deputy director of Hubei provincial public security, Beijing municipal party secretary Liu Qi and deputy Liaoning governor Xia Deren. This shows that the international community has begun to pay more and more attention to crimes against humanity that defy basic human rights and liberty.

Through the lawsuit against Luo Gan, at the very least the leaders and citizens of those four countries have learned what kind of person he is. We have also extensively unveiled the secret nature of the “610 Office" in Europe for the first time.

Reporter: What is your personal view of the significance of the lawsuits against Chinese officials?

Martin Klitzler: From the standpoint of the WOIPFG, the lawsuits have brought condemnation of the persecution from a moral level to a legal level. This is exactly the purpose of this organisation. Just like World War II war criminals, even tens of years after their crimes they still have to face trial in court if apprehended. This is international justice. We don’t think that we have to wait that long. This determination to legally deal with all of these crimes will shock the perpetrators. It would be best if we could stop their actions and let people in China and other countries know that the persecution of Falun Gong by Jiang and his accomplices is a serious criminal act.

Translated from Chinese at http://www.yuanming.net/articles/200310/25579.html