FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- December 6, 2002

LONDON, 6 December, 2002 (European Falun Gong Information Centre) -- 10th December is International Human Rights Day, and in China the human rights situation is worse than ever. The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Article 18, states that:

"Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practise, worship and observance."

This basic human right has been denied to millions of Chinese citizens and especially the 100 million practitioners of Falun Gong. The European Falun Gong Information Centre has verified details of 518 deaths 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.

Steve Ladyman, MP for South Thant, strongly supports the freedom of belief of Falun Gong practitioners. In a statement for International Human Rights Day, he says:

"Freedom of association and freedom of thought are inalienable rights for all people. Practitioners of Falun Gong are as entitled to enjoy those rights in the Peoples of Republic of China as they are in the United Kingdom.

Repression of human rights, unfair imprisonment and torture are unacceptable anywhere and against any people in the 21st century and they have no place in any modern nation.

I call on the new leadership of the People's Republic of China to demonstrate its real commitment to reform, and to show that China will take its place as a modern nation in the modern world, by respecting the rights and freedoms of practitioners of Falun Gong.

And I call on all nations, as they continue to build trading relations with China, and as we move towards the Olympic Games in Beijing, to use all their influence to insist on human rights reforms in the People's Republic of China."

Falun Gong is not just a Chinese issue, but an international matter. Below are details of some of the relatives of European residents who have been affected by the persecution and who do not have a voice in China.

- Belgium: Mr Yu He. Uncle sentenced to three years in labour camp for practising Falun Gong.

- Denmark: Mr. Zhu Xuezhi. As a result of his practise of Falun Gong, his daughter and his wife's relatives in China have received pressure from the Chinese authorities. His sister-in-law was arrested even though she does not even practise Falun Gong.

- Germany: Zhang Zhentong. Wife lost home after being tortured in a labour camp because she practised Falun Gong. Passport confiscated.

- Germany: Mr Chen Gang. Mother had to leave home to avoid further persecution because she practised Falun Gong.

- Ireland: Ms Dai Dongxue. Sisters put in labour camps for practising Falun Gong. Husband forced to divorce one of sisters.

- Israel: Xiong Zhiyuan. Sister put in labour camp for handing out leaflets.

- Netherlands: Mrs Qing Deng. Husband was put in labour camp for practising Falun Gong. She has not seen him for two years.

- Netherlands: Sisters Xianghe Wang and Huahe Wang. Entire family has been persecuted -- including torture in labour camps.

- Russia: Mr Chenguang Li. Brother put in labour camp for practising Falun Gong.

- UK: Mr Bao-sheng Zhu. Sister put in labour camp for distributing leaflets.

Detailed information on all of these cases is attached. [Ed. note - to view this information, please see http://www.clearharmony.net/articles/200212/8645.html.]

Falun Gong practitioners throughout Europe will be holding activities to mark International Human Rights Day.

In London there will be a press conference outside the Chinese Embassy in Portland Place at 10.30 am which will be attended by a number of VIPs. Mr Bao-sheng Zhu will also speak about his sister. Following the press conference practitioners will walk to Downing Street to hand in a letter to Tony Blair.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT THE EUROPEAN FALUN GONG INFORMATION CENTRE

Contact: Peter Jauhal 44 (0) 7719 172 452.

More contacts: http://www.falungonginfo.net/europe.htm

Email: europe@falungonginfo.net

http://clearharmony.net/articles/200212/8643.html

Posting date: 12/9/2002
Original article date: 12/9/2002
Category: News & Media Reports

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