House Concurrent
Resolution 304 calls on China's agents in the United
States to halt all operations being carried out against
practitioners of Falun Gong on United States soil, as
well as the brutal persecution of millions inside China. |
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WASHINGTON
DC (FDI) -- Last week, Congress introduced a concurrent resolution calling on the Chinese government to end its brutal persecution of Falun Gong in China and stop all activities against Falun Gong practitioners inside the United States.
House
Concurrent Resolution 304 (full
text), co-authored by Representatives Ros-Lehtinen of Florida and Lynn
Woolsey of California, references China's own constitution and international
human rights accords in calling for China to uphold freedom of belief, assembly,
and speech for the millions of Falun Gong practitioners in Mainland China.
Resolution
304 also specifically mentioned section 401(a)(1)(B) of the International
Religious Freedom Act of 1998 (22 U.S.C. 6401(a)(1)(B)): "Whereas the
Constitution of the United States guarantees freedom of religion, the right to
assemble, and the right to speak freely, and the people of the United States
strongly value protecting the ability of all people to live without fear and in
accordance with their personal beliefs..."
Harassment,
libel, and imprisonment have been widespread in Jiang Zemin's four-year campaign
to eradicate Falun Gong. Torture and abuse in custody have led to thousands of
wrongful deaths.
Agents
of China's Communist Party Operating in the US
Unknown men secretly
videotaping Falun Gong practitioners in a Washington DC
Park; members of a Pro-Communist Chinese Association
assaulted Falun Gong practitioners outside a New York
City restaurant. (more
details) |
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In
addition, Resolution 304 calls on China's agents in the United States to halt
all operations being carried out against practitioners of Falun Gong on United
States soil.
The
resolution makes reference to China's agents carrying out acts of violence and
assault, property theft and destruction, illegal wire-tapping, harassment,
intimidation, and persecution against practitioners of Falun Gong in the United
States.
Chinese
Consular officials have attempted to pressure government officials across the
U.S. to recant support for Falun Gong's rights and Falun Gong activities in the
United States. In fact, earlier this year, 38 members of Congress filed an
Amended Brief of Amicus Curiae in support of the Falun Gong lawsuit against
former head of state Jiang Zemin for his lead role in instigating the
persecution (news).
The
resolution also cites the case of Dr. Charles Lee, an American citizen illegally
detained in China since the beginning of 2003 for his association with Falun
Gong (in-depth).
Dr. Lee had traveled to China to broadcast T.V. programs over the state-run
television networks exposing the human rights violations against Falun Gong.
While in custody, Dr. Lee has been subjected to mental and physical torture by
Chinese authorities.
Resolution
304 requests four main courses of action:
1)
That the Government of the People's Republic of China cease all persecutory
activities of Falun Gong practitioner on US soil, as well as in China,
including releasing prisoners of conscience.
2)
That the President of the United States issue a statement condemning these
illegal acts, and work to bring the perpetrators to justice.
3)
That the Attorney General of the US investigate the incidents of harassment
and violence against Falun Gong practitioners in the US by agents of the
Chinese consulate and follow up with legal action.
4)
That local government bodies in the US report further illegal acts and
continue to recognize and support the rights of Falun Gong practitioners.
###
NEWS
- Oct. 30, 2003
Falun Dafa Information Center, www.faluninfo.net
Background
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 Communist leader 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.
To that end, Jiang established the "6-10
Office," a Gestapo-like agency spanning from the Central Government to the
local governments. The United States Congress has described the "6-10
Office" as an agency charged with "overseeing the persecution of Falun Gong
members through organized brainwashing, torture, and murder." (news)
The
Falun Dafa Information Center has verified details of 802 deaths (reports
/ sources)
since the persecution of Falun Gong in China began in 1999. In October 2001,
however, Government officials inside China reported that the actual death toll
was well over 1,600. Expert sources now estimate that figure to be much higher. Hundreds
of thousands have been detained, with more than 100,000
being sentenced to forced labor camps, typically without trial.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT THE FALUN DAFA
INFORMATION CENTER
Contacts: Gail Rachlin (+1 917-501-4441), Levi Browde (+1 914-720-0963), Erping
Zhang (+1 646-533-6147), or Feng Yuan (+1 917-941-1097).
Fax: 646-792-3916 Email: 
,
Website: http://www.faluninfo.net/
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