UK: University Lecturer Urges Ukrainian Education Minister to resist Chinese propaganda

Minister Kremen
Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine,
10 Peremohy avenue,
Kyiv
Ukraine, 01135

Dear Minister Kremen

It has been reported that the Chinese totalitarian regime has been able to circulate in Ukrainian schools its propaganda against benevolent Falun Gong practitioners. I am writing to inform you that Falun Gong classes have been run in my and many other universities in the UK and Falun Gong Associations are formed in several universities in London and Manchester.

Falun Gong is a health-inducing set of exercises based on ancient insights into the human mind, body and spirit. It is entirely peaceful and promotes the traditional values Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance. The five sets of exercises of Falun Gong are tranquil and meditative. Its benefits include health, happiness and meaningful living.

You may be aware of the inhumane treatment being constantly levelled at Falun Gong practitioners by the Chinese authorities. To justify their brutal crackdown, the Chinese government launched an intensive defamation campaign against Falun Gong. During the past 30 months, intimidation, torture, prison sentences are commonplace for hundreds and thousands of Falun Gong practitioners in China. We know of at least 450 deaths resulting from torture and ill-treatment in police custody. Please take serious note of the fact that despite the persecution not a single act of retaliation has been reported.

Since the crackdown in July, 1999, Falun Gong has gained world-wide support from many governments and international organisations. The European Parliament adopted a resolution on 15 Feb. 2001 calling on the regime in China to respect the human rights of the practitioners. About 100 UK MPs, MEPs and Peers as well as the UK Foreign Secretary have expressed support for the human rights of Falun Gong practitioners. Amnesty International has produced several reports detailing many atrocities suffered by Falun Gong practitioners. The US Congress passed a resolution unanimously in July 2002 criticising the suppression.

It is regrettable that the vicious defamation against peaceful and benevolent Falun Gong practitioners by the Chinese dictator who tried hard to justify his widely condemned brutal persecution has been allowed to spread to Ukrainian schools. This incident could plant misunderstanding and ill-feelings in the young minds against completely innocent people. I believe that this is harmful to the school children and so call on you to resist Chinese regime pressure to spread totalitarian propaganda to Ukrainian schools.

Yours sincerely,
[name omitted]