"Our mission is to save our families from abuse, torture and even death"
(12/14/2002  14:41)

NEW YORK, December 14, 2002 (Falun Dafa Information Center) -- As part of an international effort, yesterday the Global Mission to Rescue Persecuted Falun Gong Practitioners (GMRPFGP) released the names of over 100 Falun Gong practitioners who have family in one of 16 countries around the world and are currently being incarcerated in China (website).

The family members named are being held for practicing the peaceful exercise and meditation practice, Falun Gong, and, in many cases, for making peaceful appeals to the Chinese leadership to end the persecution of Falun Gong in China and restore freedom of assembly, speech and belief to those who practice. These rights are enshrined in the Chinese Constitution.

Since the GMRPFGP committee was first mobilized in September 2002, the international committee has compiled information about loved ones of overseas Chinese that are in detention centers and forced labor camps in China. The overseas Chinese reside in 16 countries, including the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and several countries in Europe and Asia.

Seven family members of overseas Chinese have already died from torture and abuse while in police custody.

Interview Families in Rescue Effort

U.S.: Dr. Haiying He 617-899-9815
Canada: Caroline Zhang 416-361-5939
Europe: Peter Jauhal +44 799 054 1284
Australia: Dr. Michael Pearson-Smith +0409 500 271
Hong Kong: Sharon Xu +852-9263-4150

List of Cases Worldwide

A Global Committee from 16 Countries

Dr. Haiying He, a medical doctor from Harvard University and spokesman for the Global Rescue, explained the need for the committee, "This persecution is a systematic attack by Chinese Communist leader, Jiang Zemin, upon the basic freedom of belief that is protected in the Chinese Constitution, and upon Falun Gong practitioners in particular."

Dr. He continued, "The persecution of Falun Gong has had a far-reaching impact around the world ever since the persecution began in 1999. The Global Rescue estimates that in addition to the family and friends in China, over 150 overseas practitioners have been arrested and incarcerated for appealing for Falun Gong in China. At least one third are non-Chinese citizens of various countries."

Dr. He's mother, brother and sister have all been arrested and imprisoned in China for their belief in Falun Gong.

"Our mission," Dr. He concluded, "is to save our families from abuse, torture and even death, and in that process, bring international pressure down upon Jiang's regime to end the persecution of Falun Gong so all those detained for peacefully exercising their right to freedom of belief may be released."

Dr. He says the cases identified by the Global Rescue further validate media reports estimating that more than 100,000 Falun Gong practitioners have been imprisoned in detention centers and forced-labor camps.

In late October, Canadian Members of Parliament unanimously passed the first Private Motion on Falun Gong to rescue 12 imprisoned practitioners who have close family ties to Canada.

Chinese Falun Gong practitioner Ms. Yuzhi Wang had fled to the United Arab Emirates after suffering severe torture in the Wanjia Labor Camp in northeast China, but faced deportation back to China when Chinese consulate officials pressured the local police to hand her over. With the help of the Canadian government, she was successfully rescued to Canada.

Pressure from the United States, Ireland and other nations has also resulted in practitioners of Falun Gong being freed from detention centers and forced labor camps.

According to reports from China, pressure from the international community has also had a significant impact upon the lives of detained Falun Gong practitioners. Some have experienced improved living conditions and improved treatment.

Five have gained early release from forced-labor camps (news).

"We have seen just how effective international pressure can be in these family rescue cases," says Dr. He, "and so we call upon the United States to urge China to immediately release our families in the upcoming US-Sino human rights dialogue."

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Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa (about), is a practice of meditation and exercises with teachings based on the universal principle of "Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance." It is a practice that was taught in private for thousands of years before being made public in 1992 by Mr. Li Hongzhi. Falun Gong has roots in traditional Chinese culture, but it is distinct and separate from other practices such as the religions of Buddhism and Taoism. Since its introduction in 1992, it quickly spread by word of mouth throughout China, and is now practiced in over 50 countries.

With government estimates of as many as 100 million practicing Falun Gong, China's President Jiang Zemin outlawed the peaceful practice in July 1999 (report), fearful of anything touching the hearts and minds of more citizens than the Communist Party. Unable to crush the spirit of millions who had experienced improved health and positive life changes from Falun Gong, Jiang's regime has intensified its propaganda campaign to turn public opinion against the practice while quietly imprisoning, torturing and even murdering those who practice it.

The Falun Dafa Information Center has verified details of 528 deaths (reports / sources) since the persecution of Falun Gong in China began in 1999. Government officials inside China, however, report that the actual death toll is well over 1,600, while expert sources estimate that figure to be much higher. Hundreds of thousands have been detained, with more than 100,000 being sentenced to forced labour camps, typically without trial.

http://faluninfo.net/displayAnArticle.asp?ID=6767

Posting date: 12/16/2002
Original article date: 12/15/2002
Category: News & Media Reports

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