Publications, Press Releases

EFGIC: 6 More Die in Jiang Zemin’s Persecution of Falun Gong

2003-03-25

'Since March 1st, the deaths of 53 Falun Gong practitioners from torture and mistreatment in the hands of Chinese authorities have been reported. This is the largest number of confirmed deaths to be reported in a three-week time period since the persecution began in July 1999.'

more ...
EFGIC: Chinese "Show Trial" Slaps American with 3-Year Sentence

2003-03-23

After more than 50 days of isolated detention, American citizen Dr. Charles Li was hurried through a show trial by China's "high court". The Intermediate People's Court in Yangzhou announced its anticipated "guilty" verdict late yesterday, March 21. "This show trial of an American makes a mockery of the so-called 'rule of law' in China".

more ...
EFGIC: International Coalition Prepares Lawsuits in Multiple Countries Against Former Chinese Leader, Jiang Zemin

2003-03-22

On March 18th, during the United Nations 59th Human Rights meeting, a Swiss attorney announced plans to launch a lawsuit against Jiang Zemin for torture, crimes against humanity and genocide if the former Chinese leader ever visits Switzerland...And that, the Swiss attorney says, is just the beginning.

more ...
FDI: Members of U.S. Congress Demand China Release American Falun Gong Practitioner

2003-03-22

In a joint letter addressed to the U.S. Ambassador in Beijing, Congressman Lantos and Congresswoman Eshoo called for the immediate release of Dr. Charles Li, an American Falun Gong practitioner from California.

more ...
Reuters: China Convicts, Expels U.S. Falun Gong [Practitioner]

2003-03-22

'"China's legal system is just another tool utilized to persecute Falun Gong practitioners," the Web site quoted Li's fiancee, Yeong-ching Foo, as saying. "Choosing a lawyer would only serve to legitimize this show trial," Foo added.'

more ...
U.S. Newswire: Scholars Send Letter to Bush in Support of Charles Li

2003-03-21

'Authorities in China say that he will be charged with interfering with satellite communications, and could face up to 15 years imprisonment. Dr. Li is a medical doctor and lacks the technical skills to perform such acts and was not even in China when they took place. He adamantly denies the charges. The only reason for the arrest is that Dr. Li is a Falun Gong practitioner, which China treats as a crime.'

more ...
EFGIC: News of Seven Falun Gong Deaths Breaks Through Jiang Regime’s Information Blockade

2003-03-20

'For more than three years, the European Falun Gong Information Centre has received -- on a daily basis -- dozens of reports of arbitrary detention, forced-labour, extortion, torture, death and other forms of persecution against Falun Gong practitioners in China...This release presents what has been confirmed in the last few days about seven more Falun Gong practitioners who have lost their lives in this persecution.'

more ...
AFP: EU notes 'deep concern' over human rights in China

2003-03-20

'EU foreign ministers agreed late Tuesday to express the bloc's "deep concern over the serious violations of human rights in China and the lack of progress in a number of areas", according to conclusions released on the first day of a two-day ministerial meeting.'

more ...
FDI: Tortured to Death in China: Six Falun Gong Practitioners from Huludao City, Liaoning Province

2003-03-20

'The deaths of six Falun Gong practitioners from Huludao City, Liaoning Province have recently been confirmed. All six died from abuse and torture suffered in various labour camps and detention centres in Liaoning Province, home of the notorious Masanjia Forced Labour Camp, where dozens of Falun Gong practitioners have lost their lives.'

more ...
AFP (Agence France Presse): Falun Gong followers protest as UN rights forum opens

2003-03-19

'More than a thousand members of the banned Chinese Falun Gong spiritual movement on Monday staged a protest here against repression in China, as delegates opened the annual session of the UN's top human rights forum. The followers, who according to one member came from 50 countries, staged a silent sit-down protest in front of the UN's European headquarters.'

more ...
AP: (Associated Press): Report on European Union Criticising China over Human Rights

2003-03-19

The EU foreign ministers issued a declaration expressing concern about "the lack of respect for human rights" in China, citing use of the death penalty, torture and arbitrary detention.

more ...
AP: Photo Report on Practitioners Outside United Nations

2003-03-18

Swiss followers of Falun Gong, a spiritual movement banned in mainland China, in front of the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, Monday, March 17, 2003, prior to the opening of the 59th session of the UN Human Rights Commission.

more ...
Hong Kong Human Rights Monitor Press Release: An Assessment of Article 23

2003-03-16

'We remain of the view that the Bill is not needed to catch any genuinely criminal organisation or activities, as these are amply catered for under existing law, and that some of its provisions are still open to misuse in future to persecute those who are unpopular with the Mainland authorities but are merely exercising their rights of free speech, freedom of association and freedom of assembly in Hong Kong.'

more ...
EFGIC: Two School Teachers Among Four Latest Falun Gong Death Reports

2003-03-14

The details of four more Falun Gong deaths have been confirmed by sources in China. All four of these practitioners were sentenced to forced labour camps in attempts to have them renounce their practice of Falun Gong. In each case, the practitioners refused to recant their beliefs. As a result, they were brutally tortured to the edge of death. Three of them were released to die quietly at home as officials attempted to shirk responsibility for the deaths they have caused.

more ...
FDI: Lawless Court Takes Aim at American

2003-03-14

Charles' situation is dire. Choosing a lawyer for this trial would only validate a fundamentally impossible proposition: that any practitioner of Falun Gong could escape China's predetermined "verdict" of guilty. It's a farce to entertain the idea that justice could be served in a state where the top standing orders include "eliminate Falun Gong at all costs." In these courts there are no appeals and there are no observers.

more ...