We have recently learned of a sinister campaign being conducted by the Chinese authorities to target foreign governments and their institutions. Their aim is to spread lies, incite hatred and create misunderstanding against people who practise a popular form of traditional Chinese practice called Falun Gong. In the Ukraine, for example, they have disseminated their sensational and outrageous propaganda to the Ministry of Education and Sciences forcing the authorities to disseminate it to all departments and areas. We would like to forewarn you of the latest ploy in their campaign both at home and abroad to “eradicate Falun Gong”. This is yet another attempt in a long list of interferences organised by the Chinese authorities into the affairs of sovereign nations in order to achieve their own single-minded and brutal aim of destroying their own people and poisoning others with lies. Please see below for examples of their “foreign policy.”
The Persecution that is Affecting the Whole of China
100 million Chinese citizens have been enduring a 5 and a half years of persecution. These people are Falun Gong practitioners. Falun Gong is a type of Chinese yoga called qigong. It is based on 5 exercises and the cultivation of the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. It was hugely and openly popular in the 1990s, until paranoia and jealousy of its widespread appeal led the then Chinese leader, Jiang Zemin, to organise a brutal, illegal and unjustified crackdown in July 1999. This eradication campaign is still in operation. International organisations such as Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and the U.N. have all documented this persecution and lawyers have condemned it as genocide. It affects not only the 100 million Falun Gong practitioners themselves and their families but through the implication policy, it means that no Chinese citizen can refrain from participating in the persecution against his fellow citizen. No one is allowed to offer legal, medical or moral support to any Falun Gong practitioner for fear that his own livelihood, interest, opportunity and even life may be taken away. Would you not agree that this is a persecution on a horrendous and terrifying scale?
It clearly violates the International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights, Universal Declaration of Human Rights and China’s own constitution. Its scale and nature are unprecedented as it affects countless people who are enduring all manner of persecutory tactics ranging from torture to denial of housing, employment, education etc. simply because they would like to improve themselves physically, morally and spiritually. On top of this, they also have to endure defamation of their character and practice through relentless state propaganda. Falun Gong is non-political and non-affiliated. There is ample evidence showing that the Chinese authorities will go to any lengths to achieve their irrational aim.
Why Have the Chinese Authorities Targeted the Ukraine Education and Science Ministry?
In order to initiate an anti-Falun Gong momentum abroad, the Chinese state apparatus is following directives already extensively used in China such as:
“Educate one student, influence one’s family, therefore impact the whole society”Such methods are all too common in totalitarian regimes. In January 2001, the China Anti-cult Association launched a campaign of a million signature collections to force the whole society against Falun Gong and to justify the persecution to international society and its own people. That campaign, initiated by the CCP’s Political Committee, mainly targeted students in schools and went under the name of “civilian organisation”. The purpose of the campaign was to influence children’s parents through brainwashing students or pupils in middle and elementary schools. Obviously, this latest campaign targeting the democratic country of Ukraine, also aims to use the education system as a tool to efficiently and effectively disseminate the propaganda to a large section of the society.
“One spreads to hundreds, hundreds in turn spread to thousands”
To Find Out the Truth
Falun Gong is now practised in nearly 60 countries worldwide ranging from prisons in Bali to schools in south India. And yet China is the only nation, which is carrying out a brutal and senseless campaign of eradication against peaceful and law-abiding people.
If you would like to know more about this persecution or the practice of Falun Gong and to clearly distinguish the lies from the truth, you can refer to the following websites:
Resisting Interference Overseas from Chinese Embassies and Consulates
Since the persecution of Falun Gong began in July 1999, Chinese Embassies and consulates around the world have engaged in a campaign to slander Falun Gong, spread lies as well as pressurise countries to prevent Falun Gong activities. However, as people have come to know the peaceful nature of Falun Gong, they are no longer willing to be bullied or deceived by the propaganda. The following are examples of how people are refusing to bow to the Chinese regime’s demands in their own countries.
Falun Gong-Iceland Dialogue Committee Submits a Petition and holds a Press Conference on the First Anniversary of the Iceland Events
On June 11 2002, IcelandAir refused to let Falun Gong practitioners board aeroplanes heading to Iceland after a request from the Icelandic government, through utilising a blacklist of Falun Gong practitioners provided by the Chinese Government. Falun Gong practitioners were travelling to Iceland to participate in an appeal against Jiang Zemin, who was on a state visit to the country. Other Falun Gong practitioners were detained in Reykjavik airport on arrival, and were not allowed to enter Iceland.
On June 5 2003, as the first anniversary for this unlawful refusal of entrance was approaching, the Icelandic Data Protection Authority announced a formal decision:
“It is unlawful that the Icelandic Ministry of Justice provided the related information about Falun Gong practitioners to Iceland Air, also to Icelandic embassies in the USA, Norway, Denmark, UK and France, so as to hinder Falun Gong practitioners from entering this country.”
To further rectify the Icelandic government’s erroneous decision under the pressure of Jiang’s rogue regime, the Falun Gong-Iceland Dialogue Committee submitted a petition to the Ombudsman of the Arbitration Committee of the Icelandic Parliament. A press conference was also held in front of the Ministry of Justice, calling on the Icelandic government to respect the principles of law and correct their mistakes.
Translated from Chinese at http://yuanming.net/articles/200306/21363.html
Iceland Review: Shame on the Icelandic Government
June 10th 2003
A state-run organisation responsible for monitoring human rights has issued a statement calling on the Icelandic government to publicly apologise and pay damages to Falun Gong practitioners who were mistreated last June in connection with the visit of former Chinese President Jiang Zemin to Iceland.
The Icelandic agency, Persónuvernd, has determined that the Ministry of Justice did not have permission to disclose the names of alleged Falun Gong followers to Icelandair and Icelandic embassies, and that the government’s actions surrounding Zemin’s visit to Iceland were shameful.
After receiving the ‘black list’ of names, Icelandair and certain Icelandic embassies took action to keep those mentioned on the list from coming to Iceland. In total, roughly 205 alleged practitioners of Falun Gong were not admitted to Iceland during the Chinese President’s visit, while 49 practitioners who had already arrived in Iceland were detained, and three alleged practitioners deported.
“The actions taken by the government were sad and not befitting of a democratic state,” said the statement released by Persónuvernd.
http://icelandreview.com/ir.asp?cat_id=936&module_id=220&element_id=4305
Report from Netherlands Newspaper Dagblud de Limberger: Chinese Interference with Falun Gong Goes Far
'A few days ago the Chinese government tried to stop a performance by Dutch Falun Gong practitioners at the theme park Mondo Verde in Landgraaf. This incident does not stand alone. Chinese authorities are trying to block the movement more and more outside of China.'
Swedish MP Questions the Foreign Minister about Falun Gong
Question and written response
MP Sven-Erik Sjostrand questioned the Swedish Foreign Minister, Anna Lindh, about the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners.
Sven-Erik Sjostrand: What is the Minister going to do to prevent pressure from the Chinese government in Europe and Sweden, and also to prevent the persecution of Falun Gong in Europe and in Sweden?
Mrs. Pirjo Svensson has now been detained without reason in Thailand for 35 days. She is a Falun Gong practitioner and was deprived of her freedom on the day the Chinese president attended an Asian leaders’ SARS-related conference, which clearly proves that the Chinese government was behind and has controlled the incident with Pirjo. Pirjo’s case is only one of the many similar incidences of the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners. Last year when Jiang visited Iceland, more than 100 Falun Gong practitioners were prohibited from entering the country because they were placed on a blacklist. In Denmark, permission for Falun Gong practitioners to attend a Cultural Festival on September 21 2002 was cancelled due to pressure from the Chinese authorities. In March of this year, the Chinese Embassy in Romania stopped a Falun Gong practitioner’s (Zhang Cui Ying’s) traditional Chinese painting exhibition. On the 300th anniversary of St Petersburg celebrations, the Falun Gong parade and their traditional music demonstration and dance was interfered with. Falun Gong practitioners were prevented from facing Chinese government representatives. For the past few years, Sweden has been trying to raise these matters at different levels with the Chinese government. This persecution, however, continues. Now it has even extended to Europe.
Anna Lindh, Foreign Minister,
Article from http://clearharmony.net/articles/200306/13228.html
Reuters: CHINA: Myanmar Frees Hong Kong Falun Gong Member
HONG KONG, June 18 (Reuters) - Myanmar has released a Hong Kong follower of the Falun Gong spiritual movement it had jailed under pressure from China which bans the group, Hong Kong adherents of the movement said on Wednesday.
Chan Wing-yuen, 71, was escorted to Hong Kong by Myanmar secret agents on June 9, Hong Kong members said in a statement. He had spent a year and a half in prison, far short of his seven-year sentence.
"It is believed that the release is owing to a global effort in rescue from Falun Gong practitioners, also support and assistance from many governments and NGOs (non-government organisations) who care about human rights and freedom," the statement said.
Chan was arrested in December 2001 after unfurling a banner protesting against the Falun Gong crackdown by then Chinese president Jiang Zemin who was visiting Myanmar. Chan had gone to see relatives there.
In January 2002, Chang was jailed for seven years for attempting to subvert Myanmar. He called the charge groundless.
Falun Gong practitioners from different parts of the world have since written, telephoned and faxed messages to the Myanmar government and to Chinese embassies urging Chan's release.
Chairman of the Unified Organisation of Overseas Chinese Associations is Arrested and Charged with Assault against Falun Gong Practitioners
Police escort Liang Guanjun out of the Fifth Precinct on June 26 in New York City
Around 11pm on June 25, 2003, Liang Guanjun, chairman of the Unified Organisation of Overseas Chinese Associations of New York, was arrested and taken into custody for allegedly directing and participating in an assault against Falun Gong practitioners. After being fingerprinted, Liang Guanjun was released shortly before 2am on June 26.
The charge of assault is under investigation
The assault occurred on June 23 outside the Yidong ("Palace 88") Restaurant in New York City's Chinatown. While Liang Guanjun and others were hosting a banquet in the restaurant for Wang Yingfan, the departing UN ambassador from China, Falun Gong practitioners were distributing truth-clarifying literature and materials to passersby outside the restaurant, in hopes that high-level Chinese officials could forward Falun Gong practitioners' requests to the Chinese government to stop persecuting Falun Gong. The practitioners were cursed, surrounded and assaulted by a gang led by Liang Guanjun.
The attorney representing Falun Gong practitioners pointed out that although Liang Guanjun attempted to avoid responsibility with his position in Chinatown, in the face of United States law, he couldn't escape.
Falun Gong practitioners Mr. Li Jun and Mr. Zhu Weiyong and others who were assaulted went to the local police precinct on June 25 to describe in detail the process of being surrounded and assaulted by a group of people led by Liang Guanjun on June 23. They also showed their injuries and other evidence to the police.
At 1:50 a.m. on June 26, when a police officer escorted Liang Guanjun out of the police precinct, Liang was still cursing loudly.
Ms. Terri Marsh, an attorney representing Falun Gong practitioners, learned through police officer Mr. Gregory Kelly of the Fifth Police Precinct that Liang was arrested on assault charges. The case is under investigation.
It was reported that Liang Guanjun was arrested for participating in the assault on Mr. Li Jun. Liang was also suspected of directing the assault against Falun Gong practitioners through his position as Chairman of the Chinese Associations. In this incident, other than Mr. Li Jun, several other practitioners were also subjected to Liang's attacks and threats.
Manipulators behind the scenes?
According to Ms. Marsh, more arrests are forthcoming. Most of the assailants are members of Chinese Associations that are closely associated with the Chinese government. The Chinese government openly claims the intention to attack Falun Gong, not merely in China, but throughout the free world as well. Consistent with China's genocidal policy towards Falun Gong, the Chinese government has, through it's consulates, recruited special agents in America to instigate hatred, harass, defame and violate the human rights of Falun Gong practitioners.
It is reported that unlike other cases in which the participants' connections to the Chinese authorities was hard to verify, in this assault, Liang Guanjun's association with the Chinese government is obvious.
Mr. Zhou Shiyu, a volunteer spokesperson of the Falun Dafa Information Centre said that since the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China began in 1999, the gang of Liang Guanjun, under the orders of Jiang's regime, has been continuously harassing Falun Gong practitioners overseas, making trouble, and instigating overseas Chinese people's hatred toward Falun Gong. The gang's bold assault on June 23 was just a glimpse of the Jiang regime's persecution of Falun Gong practitioners.
Mr. Zhou Shiyu said that shortly before 10:00 p.m. on June 23, a woman, followed by other diplomats, emerged from the restaurant. Noticing Falun Gong practitioners outside, the woman said something to the people gathered around her, and then climbed into a Black Mercedes-Benz bearing the license plate 00l CY and drove away. After that, Liang Guanjun confronted Falun Gong practitioners, threatening, "I'm going to beat you to death. I'll beat whoever is a Falun Gong practitioner."
Mr. Zhou Shiyu said, "This is New York City's Chinatown, not Beijing's Tiananmen Square. We have reported the incident to the police department, and will take appropriate legal action against these people and the manipulators behind them."
In September 2001, a similar case of violence against Falun Gong practitioners occurred in Chicago. On June 23, 2002, Chicago police arrested assailants Zheng Jiming and others. The two assailants pleaded guilty in that case.
Article from http://www.clearwisdom.net/emh/articles/2003/6/28/37470.html
UK: Chinese Consulate Fails to Thwart Dafa Activities in Edinburgh's One World Festival
On Tuesday 17th June, Scottish Falun Dafa practitioners held a workshop as part of the "Edinburgh One World Festival". Spirituality, Peace and Justice in cultures around the world were the main themes of the festival. Falun Gong practitioners were approached and invited to participate by the event organisers. This occurred after Edinburgh's Chinese Consulate had written to the event organiser before the festival, complaining that Falun Gong had participated in the last festival, slandering the practice and asking that Falun Gong be omitted from the programme. The organiser had ignored the complaint and said, "We can invite whoever we like!" The practitioners were very happy that the organisers could clearly distinguish right from wrong and did not allow Jiang to further spread his persecution into Scotland.
Article from http://www.clearharmony.net/articles/200306/13296.html
Requests by Deceitful Chinese Consulate in Houston Are Refused by Texas Officials
Texas officials told Falun Gong practitioners in a recent meeting that Hu Yeshun, the Consulate General in Houston, slandered Falun Gong for no just cause, and asked them not to meet with Falun Gong practitioners, but the officials refused his requests.
One official said that the Consulate General claimed Falun Gong practitioners were a group of bad people who wanted to subvert the Chinese Government. The official replied, "I don't think so." The Consulate General also pressed him not to see Falun Gong practitioners. The official answered, "No. I will meet with them."
The Texas Government was not affected by the lies, and instead continues to support Falun Gong practitioners' legal rights, as well as their community service events. The Governor recently issued a proclamation letter endorsing "World Falun Dafa Day."
Article from http://www.clearwisdom.net/emh/articles/2003/6/23/37265.html
Canada: Falun Gong Practitioners Win Court Appeal; Contempt of Court Charges against the Chinese Press in Quebec Reinstated
A Quebec Court of Appeal has overturned a decision of the lower court and reinstated the Falun Gong practitioner's prosecution for Contempt of Court Charges against the Montreal Chinese Newspaper Les Presses Chinoises and the author Bing He for ignoring a safeguard order of the Quebec Superior Court and for their hate propaganda against Falun Gong.
Article from http://www.clearwisdom.net/emh/articles/2003/7/6/37790.html
Congressional Briefing Held Regarding Communist Chinese Agents Harassing, Assaulting American Falun Gong on U.S. Soil
China’s Ambassador to U.N., China’s New York Consular General Openly Rallies behind Man Who Assaulted Falun Gong in New York City
The office of Congressman Hyde initiated a briefing on Capitol Hill regarding harassment, assaults and other persecutory measures carried out by Chinese government agents in the U.S. Attacks against Falun Gong on U.S. soil by agents of the Chinese Communist regime have caught the attention of federal law makers.
The briefing followed a recent attack on Falun Gong practitioners in New York City by agents of the Chinese regime and is the latest Congressional action to uncover and stamp out harassing and persecutory tactics adopted by Chinese government agents in the U.S. against Falun Gong.
In July 2002, the U.S. Congress unanimously (420-0) passed Concurrent Resolution 188, condemning the persecution of Falun Gong and calling for further investigation into allegations of persecution in the U.S.: “The US Government should investigate illegal activities by the Government of the People's Republic of China and its diplomats, concerning harassment of US citizens and residents who practise Falun Gong and of US officials who support Falun Gong; and take legal action or resort to deportation for those Chinese officials who have been found engaging in unlawful activities on US soil.”
Also in July, 2002, Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey proposed a second resolution, House Concurrent Resolution 447, against the illicit activity: “China’s leaders have already extended their campaign against freedom to America,” said Congresswoman Woolsey during a rally in Washington DC for Falun Gong. “We must stand up to this attempt to intimidate American officials on American soil.”
High-Level Chinese Officials Rally behind Attackers in New York City
The Chinese Ambassador to the U.N., the New York Chinese Consular General and Chinese government-backed organisations have authored public letters and statements in the Chinese language media backing their vow to “fight Falun Gong to the end.”
“This kind of behaviour is really just the tip of the iceberg in terms of what the persecution of Falun Gong is like in China where thousands are believed to have died from state-authorised torture and abuse, and state-run media constantly demonizes the practice,” says Falun Dafa Information Centre spokeswoman Gail Rachlin. “But this is the United States of America…it’s unbelievable that a Communist foreign power would think they could get away with this on U.S. soil.”
Article from http://www.faluninfo.net/displayAnArticle.asp?ID=7631
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