Ms Yanyu Fan's Hunger Strike Statement

Falun Dafa is based on the moral values of Truthfulness, Compassion and Tolerance. An increasing number of people practise Falun Dafa and have benefited both physically and mentally. Falun Dafa has gained enormous popularity in more than 50 countries and has been awarded more than 700 proclamations. However, millions of innocent Falun Dafa practitioners in China have been deprived of their basic right to believe in Truthfulness, Compassion and Tolerance. Tens of thousands, from a few months' old baby to elderly people, have been forced out of their homes and been deprived of their families and their means for leading a normal life only because they wish to express a few sincere words from their hearts: "Falun Dafa is good!"

Since July 20, 1999, Jiang Zemin has utilised the state owned media to fabricate propaganda against Falun Gong and employed vicious punishments to brutally suppress innocent Falun Gong practitioners. Jiang's criminal regime completely ignores the Constitution and has escalated at all times the persecution towards the Falun Gong practitioners. Until now, there have been 381 verified cases of Falun Gong practitioners being tortured to death, while sources within the Chinese government place the number at over 1,600. Tens of thousands of innocent people are being thrown into prison and forced labour camps while countless more are suffering as the result of this persecution campaign. On March 5, a surprise TV program supportive of Falun Gong was broadcast via the cable television network in northeast China. Reacting out of rage and paranoia, Jiang ordered, "Kill [the Falun Gong practitioners] without mercy" made to "completely eradicate" Falun Gong. Other cities and provinces across China have since reportedly compiled lists of specific Falun Gong practitioners to execute. This is an inhuman, unspeakable atrocity that cannot be allowed to proceed!

I could not believe that such inhumane actions are taking place in the highly civilised 21^st century and happening in a country whose civilisation is 5,000 years old. Upon this very land on which its ancient people once believed in "Kindness, Duties, Manners, Wisdom and Trust," there is now an evil play of persecution against "Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance"!

I have been practising Falun Dafa for almost seven years. This has changed me into a completely new person. Before the practice, I used to have many bad habits that resulted in my poor health. I was selfish and narrow-minded. Since practicing Falun Dafa, I have been enjoying a perfectly healthy body. What pleases me even more is the fact that cultivation of "Truthfulness, Compassion and Tolerance" has changed me into a benevolent person and I always consider others before myself. This to me is true joy and happiness in my life. However now simply because of my practising Falun Dafa I cannot return to China, nor can I visit my aged parents. The land that was once so beautiful in history now does not offer me a single square to stand on. If I were to go back, I would probably be subjected to illegal imprisonment, torture and brainwashing. However they can never expect to change my firm belief in Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance, for which I would give up everything without the slightest regret.

Today we gather here to use our actions to show our support for kindness and righteousness. I do cherish my life, and I cherish other people's lives, too. It is exactly out of our compassion for the humanity that I made up my mind to stand up against this despicable campaign of torture and suppression, which has been aimed to degrade and destroy lives. I have decided to carry out a hunger strike for four days starting from this morning. I hope my actions will help to raise awareness among those people who have not been informed of this brutal persecution. The persecution of Falun Gong is not just a matter concerning China, it is a direct attack against the principles of "Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance," a set of values that kind people all over the world agree with and respect. Jiang's regime hopes to completely eliminate "Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance" in China, and this would be a crime against all peace-loving, kind people of the world.

I would like to request the British government and people as well as the various governmental and non-governmental organisations meeting in Geneva's UN Human Rights Commission to help stop Jiang's brutal persecution immediately. We can make a difference if our strengths and efforts are united. For example, our Trinity College friend Zhao Ming, who was subjected to brutal and inhumane tortures for nearly 2 years, was released due to pressure from the international community. This encouraging example shows that this inhuman atrocity can be stopped with the help of all kind-hearted, righteous people. A voice from deep inside my heart calls, "The world needs Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance!" To safeguard justice, righteousness and decency of humanity, please lend us your support to stop the killing!

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