Taiwan Liberty Times: Article To Support Falun Gong's International Lawsuit by Chair of the Human Rights Committee of the Taiwanese Bar Association

By Su Youchang, Chair of the Human Rights Committee of the Taiwanese Bar Association

(Clearwisdom.net) Taiwan Falun Gong practitioner Lin Hsiao-kai was finally released. This is a human rights achievement, resulting from the joint support and voices of justice by members of the Taiwan Falun Dafa Association and people from all walks of society.

The Taiwanese Falun Dafa Association responded to lawsuits around the world being filed against Jiang, and it had previously sought help from the Taiwanese Bar Association. During the Association's sixth meeting on October 25, 2003, an announcement was made to the effect that "Our Association holds human rights as the universal value without consideration for national boundaries. We fully understand the Falun Gong practitioners' action of persisting in their life belief in Truth, Compassion, Tolerance. We further understand their international lawsuits against the Chinese persecutor, in order to uphold basic human rights and freedom of speech, as well as to oppose the violation of personal freedom. We call for China to follow the international pacts that protect citizens' political rights, which she has signed, which will be used as evidence in handling the Falun Gong organization and the concerns of its practitioners. Specifically, the government should release fellow Taiwanese citizens as soon as possible, in order to avoid damaging the feelings of the people of Taiwan and people of Mainland China." This declaration is an acknowledgement of the significance of human rights, which is protected by law. We are not afraid of potential retaliation from the Chinese government and its discontent for international condemnation of its human rights violations.

We still remember that on February 21st and February 22nd, 2003, more than 400 Taiwan Falun Gong practitioners bearing legal visas went to Hong Kong to attend a Fa conference; but the Hong Kong government retained or repatriated eighty practitioners with the excuse of having a security issue. Nine practitioners were met with violence, 18 practitioners were cut off from the outside, and their freedom of religion, freedom of practicing something beneficial to their health and their freedom to travel were severely damaged. After the Taiwanese President's Office's Human Rights Consultation Committee accepted the appeal, it held a press conference on March 1, and Vice President Lu Hsiu-lien called for the media to pay attention to this serious violation of human rights. She also called for the Hong Kong government to admit its mistake and not to cover up the truth, and to do as the "Hong Kong Human Rights Practices" dictate and act according to Article 9, Article 10, Article 15, Article 18 and Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

According to the Falun Dafa Association's investigation, up until now, 787 Falun Gong practitioners have already died as a result of torture in Mainland China, and countless others were illegally arrested, detained and subjected to brainwashing.

In October 2002, former Chinese president Jiang Zemin was charged with genocide, torture and crimes against humanity at the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, mainly according to the "Alien Tort Claims Act" and "Torture Victim Protection Act." Right now, Falun Gong is seeking support from various governments, becoming a global action against human rights violations. If the Chinese government does not change its ways and keep up with its economic reform in other areas, it may taint its own reputation and isolate itself in the international community.

In July 1998, the United Nations held a meeting in Rome, passing the Rome Statute. So far, 139 countries have signed and 78 countries have ratified the statute. On July 1, 2003, the International Criminal Court was established in The Hague, Holland, which solidified the individual's place as the defendant in the international legal system, which means the international court has jurisdiction over all people, including heads of state and military leaders. This is a big breakthrough. The International Criminal Court will accept four serious charges including genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes. According to the author's understanding, Falun Dafa Association may be able to seek help from member countries and directly file an international human rights lawsuit against the Chinese persecutor at this court.

[...]

 Yearly Archive   Printer Version