An Open Letter to the People and Government of Hong Kong Regarding the Trial of Falun Gong Practitioners

We are a group of Falun Gong practitioners and supporters writing to express our deep concern about the current trial of 16 Falun Gong practitioners occurring in Hong Kong, and the repercussions of this trial on the future of democracy in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong is known for its tradition of freedom and democracy, and for being a law-abiding, tolerant society. It is our sincere hope that the people of Hong Kong will continue to enjoy these precious liberties.

We are saddened to see that Hong Kong, by prosecuting Falun Gong practitioners, is showing signs of deviating from such values and bowing to political pressure. When a peaceful appeal held by 16 people on a sidewalk is accused of obstructing traffic, we wonder how any public gathering could be exempt from such a charge? If one group of peaceful people can be prosecuted simply because of pressure from some leaders of the Chinese government, how long will it be before other groups of people receive the same treatment? The last thing we want is for Hong Kong's environment of freedom to be eroded. We believe that the people of Hong Kong would wholeheartedly agree with this sentiment.

Falun Gong, an ancient practice for mind and body, takes Truthfulness-Compassion- Forbearance as its guiding principles. It has enabled millions of people around the world to improve their physical and mental well-being and to cultivate kindness. The appeals and other activities of Falun Gong have always been peaceful. Even under the severe ongoing persecution in China, where tens of thousands of innocent practitioners have been illegally detained, sentenced to labour camps and prisons, abducted to psychiatric hospitals, and over 1,000 people have been tortured to death, Falun Gong practitioners have not retaliated in any way. Their peacefulness and persistence are a testimony to the power of Truthfulness-Compassion- Forbearance.

We wish to point out that preventing Falun Gong practitioners from informing others about the persecution or restricting their appeals belies the freedom of belief and the right to not be persecuted or discriminated against guaranteed in China's constitution. Protecting the legal rights of others protects your own legal rights. A peaceful and just environment can only be sustained through everyone's effort and courage and by supporting truth and justice and not supporting lies and deceit.

It is our sincere hope that the citizens and government of Hong Kong, as well as the judge and the jury at the trial, will protect the kind Falun Gong practitioners and safeguard justice to ensure a bright future - one which includes freedom and tolerance - for the citizens of Hong Kong.