Falun Dafa Information Center Editorial
American
citizen Dr. Charles Li is being held in a Chinese prison
and is under pressure to renounce his beliefs.
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NEW
YORK (FDI) -- The smoke and mirrors of the Chinese regime's propaganda
machine are dissolving, and what's left behind is an American trapped in a
Chinese prison -- beaten and subjected to brainwashing sessions in an attempt
to force him to renounce his beliefs.
Ever
since Dr. Charles Li was arrested upon arrival at China's Guangzhou Airport
earlier this year, the Chinese regime has maintained he was detained and
prosecuted for "preparing to sabotage" state-run television (news).
Throughout
the ordeal, Chinese authorities have repeatedly denied that the arrest of Dr. Li
is connected with his personal beliefs or his practice of Falun Gong because
they know such a connection would classify his case as one of religious
persecution, and thereby provoke intervention by the United States government.
Freedom of belief, after all, is one of the cornerstones of our nation.
The
facts of the case, however, demonstrate such intervention is both justified and
necessary.
According
to reports from the U.S. Consulate in Shanghai:
- Dr.
Li is being physically assaulted every time he tries to practice the Falun
Gong meditation and exercises.
- Dr.
Li has been stripped of all books related to Falun Gong, and forbidden to
read them.
- Dr.
Li is being forced to attend anti-Falun Gong brainwashing sessions in an
attempt to coerce him to renounce his beliefs. When Dr. Li refused to attend
one session, an inmate, encouraged by prison guards knocked Dr. Li to the
ground and then dragged him down a flight of stairs.
For a Falun Gong practitioner, being denied the right to study the book Zhuan
Falun (the core teachings of Falun
Gong) is like denying a Christian the right to study the Bible. For a Falun
Gong practitioner, being denied the right to practice qigong (standing and
sitting meditation) is like denying a Buddhist the right to meditate.
For
anyone, being forced to attend brainwashing sessions that demonize one's
spiritual beliefs is a violation of fundamental human rights.
Thus,
despite the Chinese regime's best efforts to cloak this case in charges of "sabotage"
and "disrupting social order," the simple fact remains that a U.S. citizen
is being persecuted for his beliefs in a Chinese prison -- beliefs that are
accepted and welcomed in over 50 countries around the world.
Dr.
Charles Li is well regarded by people who know him in the U.S. as a man of
integrity and principles. Dr. Li did nothing but prepare to broadcast news about
the persecution of Falun Gong -- news that is readily accessible to the free
world, but censored in China.
Such
broadcasts harm neither people nor equipment, and brings transparency to a
ruthless persecution campaign. Thus, the only "sabotage" it could do is to
sabotage the Chinese regime's campaign to kill or condemn to forced labor
camps all those who would practice or support Falun Gong.
Still, if the sole purpose for arresting and imprisoning Dr. Li was for
preparing to "sabotage" television, why such violence and coercion to force
him to give up his beliefs?
Let's
call it what it is -- an American is being persecuted in Communist China
because of his beliefs.
For
interviews with Dr. Li's fiancée,
Ms. Yeong-Ching Foo, in California, please contact Ms. Sherry Zhang 415-845-5295
or Mr. Leeshai Lemish 909-217-8440.
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EDITORIAL
- Jul. 21, 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 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 757 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 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: faluninfoctr@nycmail.com,
Website: http://www.faluninfo.net/
Mailbox of FalunInfo editor@faluninfo.net