FDI: House of Representatives Passes Resolution Condemning Chinese Government's Oppression of Americans Because of Falun Gong (Photo)
NEWS-- Sep. 09, 2004 Falun Dafa Information Center,
www.faluninfo.net WASHINGTON DC (FDI) -- The 108th House of
Representatives unanimously passed House Concurrent Resolution 304 Monday (full
text), condemning the Chinese government's oppression of Falun Gong in both
the United States and China. "This resolution," said Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen who
introduced it, "focuses on reports and investigations on the use of fear,
intimidation and oppression, often connected with violence, right here within
the borders of our own country." Citing cases in which Chinese-government agents targeted U.S.
officials, residents, and citizens from New York to San Francisco, the
resolution calls upon the regime to immediately stop interfering with basic
freedoms in America. It states that the P.R.C. government should "cease using
the diplomatic missions in the United States to spread falsehoods about the
nature of Falun Gong." The resolution also calls for the release of prisoners of
conscience and an end to the persecution of Falun Gong in China. It challenges
the Chinese government to "demonstrate its willingness to abide by international
standards of freedom of belief, expression, and association." 75 members of Congress co-sponsored the resolution and six
representatives stood up to speak on the House floor Monday night (floor
debate). "We will not sit idly by as you infringe upon the rights of
our citizens and residents who practice Falun Gong," Ros-Lehtinen said. "Any
interference in the exercise of free speech inside our land will result in the
expulsion of those who engage in such actions." Resolution co-author, California Rep. Lynn Woolsey, added,
"China's diplomats...have been actively involved in harassing and persecuting
Falun Gong practitioners here in the United States." She also referred to U.S.
citizen Charles Lee, saying, "he has been jailed and tortured in a Chinese
prison since his abduction" in China on January 22, 2003. The last comments before the vote came from New Jersey
Representative Frank Pallone. "Falun Gong is an inherently peaceful, apolitical
movement that stresses nonviolence and meditation," he said. "I remain committed
to the task of making Falun Gong safe to practice in any country in the world." Resolution 304 concludes that the U.S. Attorney General
should investigate reports of Chinese consular officials in the U.S. committing
illegal acts against Falun Gong or local elected officials and decide on
appropriate measures. It further resolves that local officials should report
incidents of harassment or pressure by P.R.C. agents to Congress, the Attorney
General, and the Secretary of State. # # # NEWS -- Oct. 06, 2004 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." Practiced in over
60
countries worldwide, Falun Gong has roots in traditional Chinese culture.
With government estimates of as many as
100
million practicing Falun Gong in China, China's then-Communist leader, Jiang
Zemin, outlawed the peaceful practice in July 1999 (report).
Since that time, Jiang's regime has intensified its propaganda campaign to turn
public opinion against the practice while imprisoning, torturing and even
murdering those who practice it. The Falun Dafa Information Center has verified
details of 1,061 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, which means the current actual death toll
is likely over 5,000.
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 -- Gail Rachlin 917-757-9780, Levi Browde 914-720-0963,
Erping Zhang 646-533-6147, or Christina Chai 917-386-5068. Email:
contact@faluninfo.net, Website:
http://www.faluninfo.net/
House passes resolution calling for
investigation of Chinese consular officials committing illegal acts
against U.S. citizens and residents who practice Falun Gong, and
U.S. elected officials supportive of Falun Gong.
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