UN Special Rapporteurs Jointly Condemn Chinese Communist Regime's Brutal Persecution of Falun Gong

According to a Falun Gong Human Rights Working Group report, on July 8th, 2004, Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions, Mr. Philip Alston, and Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression and Special Rapporteur on Torture spoke out against the persecution of Falun Gong. The special rapporteurs want to bring to the attention of the Chinese Government 28 cases relating to the arrest, detention, ill treatment and torture resulting in the death of Falun Gong practitioners. The practitioners are persecuted by the authorities solely because of their practise of Falun Gong.

The victims are: Sun Yanying, Chen Aizhong, Zhu Yourong, Fan Yaxiong, Zhang Zhigen, Jiang Shuhua, Shen Lizhi, Liu Haibo, Liu Yuqing, Song Cuiling, Yin Ling, Xue Xia, Chen Hongping, Yu Yongquan, Chen Xiangrui, Gao Shuhua, Li Jianhou, Li Ying,

Zhao Chunying, Yang Yufang, Sui Guangxi, Cao Ping, Bai Xiaojun, Tan Chengqiang, Tian Junlong, Lu Bingshen, Yan Hai, Zhang Changming.

U.N. Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions, Mr. Philip Alston (right)

On October 15th, 2004, U.N Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression, Special Rapporteur on the Right of Everyone to the Enjoyment of the Highest Attainable Standard of Physical and Mental Health, Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, Special Rapporteur on Torture, and Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women jointly sent a complaint to Chinese government. The Special Rapporteurs expressed their concern at increasing reports, over the past five years, of systemic repression against the Falun Gong and other organisations.

The Special Rapporteurs are concerned that reports of arrest, detention, ill treatment, torture, denial of adequate medical treatment, sexual violence, deaths, and unfair trial of members of various organisations, in particular Falun Gong practitioners, may reflect a deliberate and institutionalised policy of the authorities to target specific groups such as the Falun Gong.

The original Special Rapporteurs' report, "Civil and Political Rights, Including the Question of Disappearances and Summary Executions" can be downloaded at:
http://www.falunhr.org/reports/UN2005/Death_Chn.pdf