Hunger Strike Statement from Falun Gong Practitioners in Hong Kong

Falun Gong is practiced freely in more than fifty countries around the world. However the practice is being subjected to a brutal ban in its birthplace--Mainland China. Yet, the Jiang Zemin Regime not only has not accepted the undeniable fact that Falun Gong is beneficial to people and welcomed by different societies, it has become fearful that the principle of "Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance" is being spread wide and far. The regime has tried very hard to expand its persecution of Falun Gong to other societies.

Early this year, the Jiang regime summoned aides from Chinese embassies and consulates all over the world to attend a secret meeting, demanding them to step up their efforts to persecute Falun Gong.

Using lies and threats, Jiang's regime has exported its criminal behaviour to other countries, behaviour that violates the law, basic human rights and moral standards. It has challenged freedom and rule of law in many societies. Governments in Germany and Iceland, for instance, were criticized by the international community for bowing to the pressure of China's dictator.

In the process of expanding the persecution overseas, Hong Kong society has been the unfortunate target of heavy attack. In 2002, the attack became even more intensive and ill intentioned.

On March 14 of this year, to protest against Jiang Zemin's order to open fire on Falun Gong practitioners, 4 Swiss, a New Zealander and 11 Hong Kong Falun Gong practitioners held a peaceful petition in front of Hong Kong's Chinese Liaison Office building. The Liaison Office telephoned police to complain 5 times in one hour, pressuring police to remove the demonstrators. The police responded with force, dragging the practitioners away and accusing them with so-called obstruction. So far no evidence has confirmed there was any obstruction or offence committed. Falun Gong practitioners and Hong Kong residents were deprived of the right to demonstrate outside the Central People's Government's representative office.

During the People's Congress and the Political Consultative Congress, statements were made that Falun Gong should be banned in Hong Kong. Later on, the SAR Government was urged to enact Article 23 of the Basic Law for the illegal purpose of banning Falun Gong in Hong Kong.

We are on hunger strike today to protest against Jiang Zemin's bringing dictatorship to Hong Kong, and introducing lies and vicious acts to the people of Hong Kong. We are protesting against the regime's attempt to harm the traditional freedoms and rule of law in Hong Kong, against its attempt to ruin the high moral standards of the Hong Kong people.

Over the last three years, Jiang Zemin has had innocent people arrested, beaten up, imprisoned and sent to forced labour camps. He has mobilized military, police, infiltrators, diplomatic channels and the state-owned propaganda machinery to wage an overwhelming persecution against Falun Gong, attacking a profound practice that has allowed tens of millions of people to improve physically and spiritually. How can we allow these outrages to happen in Hong Kong?

We are calling on all kind-hearted people to heed what is going on in Hong Kong. We are also calling on the people of Hong Kong to watch closely and to be concerned with their own future. If it is Falun Gong today, who will it be tomorrow?

The freedom, human rights and the spirit of rule of law that Hong Kong holds dear should serve as an example for the rest of China, rather than something to be destroyed and buried.