Brussels (EFGIC) - Last week EP Vice President Edward McMillan-Scott spoke about his concerns and plans to help promote freedom of belief and human rights in China during an international "China and a World Without Communism" press conference in Hong Kong. He announced the introduction of a "democracy programme" to the EU to promote freedom and democracy in China.
After meeting with Falun Gong practitioners during a three-day investigatory trip to Beijing, McMillan-Scott was convinced that, despite a huge increase of foreign trade relations, the human rights situation in China - and particularly the repression of religious and spiritual groups including Falun Gong, haven't changed in the least, and expressed his admiration for them. "Today in China religious movements demonstrate [...] courage, they are giving the lead [in the quest for freedom], they inspire those hundreds of millions enslaved by the CCP".
The new German Chancellor, Mrs Angela Merkel, as a representative of one of China's main business partners, did not shun the issue of human rights breaches in China and Tibet during her recent visit to China. "The Chinese are tough negotiators," Merkel told on the German television. "So we have to respond very firmly and make clear that we won't give in."
The recent outings of prominent EU leaders as firm supporters of the freedom and rights of Mainland Chinese, herald the imminent turning of the tide the CCP is facing, and are a great encouragement for the Chinese citizens to break free from its shackles.
Arrest, monitoring and threatening of Beijing meeting participants, one person still missing
On May 21st, McMillan-Scott met with several Falun Gong practitioners in Beijing, who presented him proves of severe persecution by the Chinese regime, and told him their testimonies.
Soon after the meeting, Steven Gigliotti, a US-based businessman who acted as the interpreter and facilitator of the meeting, was dragged out of his taxi by eight plain clothed policemen and thrown in an unmarked car. A hood was pulled over his head to prevent him from seeing where he was taken to. During his interrogation, which lasted over 24 hours, he was deprived of sleep, threatened, and forced to sign arrest documents and send a text message to the US to pretend he was safe. He was eventually put on a plane to the US with a ticket the police paid with money from his wallet.
Gigliotti states: "The Mainland Chinese Falun Gong practitioners who risked their lives for the meeting are in danger. The memory card which contains few pictures of those practitioners was taken by the Chinese police officers and was not returned to me. I had requested one Chinese Falun Gong practitioner to contact me two days after the meeting so I would know they were safe, but I have not been contacted by them."
"Based on the above facts and due to the fact that I was arrested soon after the meeting took place, it is safe to assume that they were arrested as well. Of course, they would not have the opportunity to come to US soil as I did. Their lives are in grave danger," he said.
The European Falun Gong Information Centre received confirmation that one of the participants, Mr. Niu Jinping, has been put under house arrest and is being permanently monitored. Mr. Cao Dong, a Beijing Foreign Language University graduate, remains missing. We urge the international community and world leaders to show support, to rescue their lives and demand the Chinese Communist regime immediately release them from their unlawful arrest.
Background
Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa (about), is a practice of the Buddha School, consisting of meditation and exercises, with teachings that emphasise living by three principles: truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance. Originating in China, Falun Gong is now practised in over 70 FOR MORE DETAILS, PLEASE CONTACT THE EUROPEAN FALUN GONG INFORMATION CENTRE - Peter Jauhal + 44 (0) 7739 172 452 Nicolas Schols +32 47 98 75 734 Email: [email protected]
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