Clearwisdom Digest (Issue 23, Nov.10, 2004)
News and Events from Around the World Falun Gong Practitioners' Righteous Action in China The People Awaken to the Truth Falun Gong Practitioners' Personal Experiences News and Events from Around the World The People of Manhattan Are Learning the Truth About Falun
Gong 1.People of Manhattan Start to Spread the Facts about Falun Gong After over two months of truth clarification efforts, more and more people in
Manhattan have learned about Falun Gong and the persecution that is taking place
in China. Even though people pass by Falun Gong practitioners' truth
clarification spots in a hurry on the way to work or on the way back home, they
have been thinking why all this is happening. Some people told practitioners that they have noticed the anti-torture
exhibitions at different locations of Manhattan and they have read the materials
and display boards, but they still would like to come back and take a closer
look. Some people brought their families and made a special trip to the
anti-torture exhibition spots over the weekends. They asked how they could help and what exactly they should do. Practitioners
told them that they could help tell more people about the persecution, then more
people will learn about it and more people will step forward to help stop the
persecution. This will create a domino effect. Some New Yorkers look at the torture and persecution from the perspective of
the September 11th tragedy. They believe that terrorism should be
stopped and the dictator who created the persecution should not be tolerated.
Some commented that if more people practiced Falun Gong, less people would
engage in terrorist activities. Others commented that if people are being
tortured to death for their belief in Truth-Compassion-Tolerance, this is
exposing the evil nature of the dictator and his followers. Other commented that
the terrifying torture has lasted for over 5 years, and the key reason is that
the leaders (Jiang and his followers) are engaging in state sanctioned
terrorism. 2. A high school board requests 150 teachers to learn Falun Gong In the past few weeks, New York practitioners have received many phone calls
providing feedback. Many of the calls are requests to learn Falun Gong. One of
these requests was from a high school board member requesting that practitioners
teach their 150 teachers Falun Gong as soon as possible. 3. We will give a copy of the materials to my Chinese colleagues... Some white-collar professionals in New York told English speaking
practitioners that they have read the Falun Gong materials, and asked if they
could have a few more copies to give to their Chinese colleagues. They also said
they would like to tell their Chinese colleagues that their views on Falun Gong
are wrong and they should stop repeating the official Chinese propaganda
defaming Falun Gong. 4. I have written a letter to our President ... An individual came and told practitioners that he had written to the U.S.
President, the Foreign Affairs Department and Human Rights organizations,
requesting their help to stop the torture and the persecution of Falun Gong
practitioners' freedom of belief. France: People of All Ages Support Falun Gong during the Haute
Savoie Autumn Fair The village of Houte Savoie is located in Southeast France. It is adjacent to
Geneva, Switzerland. Swiss Falun Dafa practitioners come here in the weekends to
introduce Falun Dafa to the local people. An autumn fair took place here on the first Saturday in October. All the
spaces were reserved but a last-minute withdrawal allowed us to set up a Falun
Dafa information stand in the busiest part of the fair. The village mayor came
to greet us and said, "This space is very good because you will have a lot
of people passing here." Members of the public were immediately drawn by the photos of the methods of
torture used by the Jiang regime to attempt to force Falun Gong practitioners in
China to betray their beliefs. Many came to look for a long time, listened
attentively to the practitioners' explanations and were truly touched. They
asked what they could do to help as they signed the petition calling for an end
to the persecution. Numerous groups of young people and children stopped in front of the photos
with very serious and thoughtful faces. They asked, "Can we sign the
petition?" A father who signed the petition told us that it was his little
girl of eight years who had taken the flyer and had given it to him saying,
"Daddy, you have to go and sign." Another little girl understood that
in China there were policemen who beat and tortured people, while in the western
world the police are there to help and protect us. She felt it is as if the
world was the wrong way round in that far away foreign country. The upright
actions of these children are particularly touching when one remembers their
Chinese counterparts: the many children of Falun Gong practitioners who have
become orphans due to the persecution in China. A policeman who was responsible for security at the fair came to the Falun
Gong stand several times. He had already seen the exercise demonstration
outside. He said was touched by Falun Dafa's guiding principles of Truth,
Compassion and Tolerance, and is trying to put them into practice in his
everyday life. Several people who were in a hurry promised to stop by later. They returned
especially to sign the petition. One lady was unable to return, but the next day
we met her by chance and so we were able to talk to her about Falun Gong and the
persecution. Some who had practiced in the past came and told us that they always held
Falun Gong in their hearts. They were very shocked by the torture photos. Thus people from this village and vicinity all learned about Falun Gong and
were deeply moved. New York City: Practitioners Hold Candle Vigil in Front of
Chinese Consulate and Call for Bringing Chief Perpetrators of the Persecution to
Justice In the evening of November 3, Falun Gong practitioners gathered in front of
Chinese Consulate at midtown Manhattan. Practitioners held a candle vigil there
and call for bringing Jian Zemin, Luo Gan, Zhou Yongkang and Liu Jing, the chief
perpetrators of the persecution, to justice. In the cold wind, practitioners demonstrated Falun Gong exercises to the
music and sent righteous thoughts. Some passing by vehicles greeted
practitioners by blowing a horn. Among the practitioners, there were the old,
the young and many visitors from overseas. Some of those present have relatives
who are being persecuted in China for practicing Falun Gong. Practitioner Sha Quan said: "We come here to hold this candle vigil
tonight to send a strong and clear message to Chinese authorities--end the
persecution of Falun Gong immediately; meanwhile, we want to tell them that
Jiang and his accomplices have committed unpardonable crimes and we are
determined to bring them to justice." "To date, it has been confirmed that more than 1,100 practitioners have
been persecuted to death, hundreds of thousands have been brutally tortured and
families consequently have been broken while many practitioners have been forced
to leave their homes to avoid persecution.... The perpetrators have committed
genocide and crime against humanity and they have to be brought to justice in
front of court of law as well as the history and conscience," Sha said. Zhou Jianfen participated in the vigil with her 2-year-old daughter. After
learned the severe persecution of practitioners from internet, her sister Zhou
Jianhui, a student who were preparing tests to graduate school, went onto
streets to distribute Falun Gong truth-clarifying fliers. She was caught and
then sent to labor camp. Jianfen said: "It is said that my sister was
forced to attend brainwashing sessions and to do heavy labor. I am very worried
as the Jiang regime is so vicious and it has employed all kinds of brutal and
inhuman measures against practitioners. Reportedly, several practitioners have
been persecuted to death by that labor camp." Canadian practitioner Xiao Jin also participated in the vigil. His mother,
Ms. Li Guanzhen who was arrested twice for her Falun Gong belief, was released
due to pressure from Canadian government and international community. Mr. Xiao
said that in the past the Chinese authority strategically end persecutions such
as cultural revolution by punishing some scapegoats. We won't allow it happen
again this time, we are determined to bring Jiang and his accomplices to
justice. Gracy Borges, whose office is close to the Chinese Consulate, was waiting for
bus. She said that she had seen practitioners conducting peaceful appeals here
for 5 years and she admired practitioners' steadfast spirit. She said: "No
matter rain or snow, I saw practitioners sitting here quietly. I think that the
Chinese communism government has no reason not to allow people to practice Falun
Gong. People have the freedom of belief." Bomb Threat Fails to Deter National Arts Club Exhibit The "Uncompromising Courage" art exhibition opened successfully at
the National Arts Club in New York City last week amidst anonymous bomb threats
and intruders aiming to prevent the event from taking place. National Arts Club president O. Aldon James refused to succumb to pressure
and rescind the club's support. "We believe in freedom of expression. The
Arts Club is 106 years old and we've had controversial exhibits here in the
past." The artworks expose what is happening in China but also show practitioners
facing adversity with grace and courage and how a spiritual path has enriched
their lives. Four of the thirteen artists personally experienced torture and
beating at the hands of Chinese authorities. Their art conveys equally the
persecution and also the unyielding perseverance of Falun Gong practitioners in
China. Li Jingyu, one of the artists whose work is featured in the exhibition tells
of her husband and brother who were jailed for refusing to give up the practice.
She said: "In China, millions of people suffer everyday, so many were
tortured to death, but so many people here don't know what is happening. I'm
trying to paint the truth." Falun Gong which consists of slow moving exercises and is based on the
principles of Truth, Compassion and Forbearance came under attack in July 1999
following a government survey that showed that 70-100 million people were
practicing, which was more than registered members of the Chinese Communist
Party. China's president at the time - Jiang Zemin, felt it to be a threat to
his political power and vowed to "eliminate" the spiritual movement
it. However he did not limit his sights to China alone. Gail Rachlin, spokesperson for Falun Gong said: "Over the past five
years, the Chinese consulates and embassies overseas have tried to defame us and
block us at every turn. They have sent their agents to visit the offices of US
officials and different organizations that we have contacted and use a
combination of threats, coercion, and even bribery to make them rescind their
support for us." "They have sent their agents to visit the offices of US officials ...
and use a combination of threats, coercion, and even bribery to make them
rescind their support for us..." A similar exhibition at the Mount Sinai Medical School was effectively
stopped due to external pressure. On October 27, the morning of the opening, the
response was overwhelmingly positive yet the exhibit was suddenly shut down with
no explanation given. According to Resolution 304 that was unanimously passed in the U.S. House of
Representatives, "the Chinese Government has also attempted to silence the
Falun Gong movement and Chinese pro-democracy groups inside the United
States." The resolution lists assaults, theft, and attempts to politically
pressure government officials and organizations in the United States into
condemning Falun Gong. The repeated attempts to extend the persecution beyond China's borders
however, has been largely unsuccessful and in almost every instance it has only
served to further expose those who undertake such despicable acts. The exhibit runs through November 8th, at the National Arts Club, Sculpture
Gallery 15 Gramercy Park South at E 20th St., New York City. Hong Kong: Practitioners Appeal to the SAR Government, Call
for Action to Rescue Fellow Practitioners Detained in Mainland China On November 3, dozens of Falun Gong practitioners, members of rescue
organizations as well as victims' family members appealed to the chief executive
of Hong Kong Special Administration Region (SAR) and the newly elected
legislative council respectively. The practitioners called for action to rescue
Falun Gong practitioners and family members who are being illegally detained in
Mainland China. The appeal group first marched from Charter Park to the SAR government
compound, where they submitted an appeal letter to the chief executive.
Practitioners said that the persecution of Falun Gong in China didn't
automatically stop after Jiang Zemin stepped down and the recent arrest of Zhang
Lihong, wife of Hong Kong practitioner Kong Senqia, was just another example of
that. Ms. Zhang has been conducting a hunger strike for several days since her
arrest on October 27, and her life is at stake. Sun Zhongwen, a Hong Kong
practitioner who has been illegally sentenced to 4 years in prison, recently
wrote to his family members. In the letter, he said that his health was
deteriorating. Both Zhang and Sun need to be rescued urgently. Practitioners
request the SAR government not to dodge its responsibility and to take immediate
concrete actions to help Falun Gong practitioners and practitioners' family
members detained in China. Four Hong Kong practitioners have being illegally sentenced to prison terms
by Chinese authorities for their belief in Falun Gong. Moreover, at least six
Mainland relatives of 5 Hong Kong practitioners are being detained in labor
camps or prisons. Ms. Zhen Xiulan, mother of Sun Zhongwen, burst into tears when others mention
Sun to her. She said that Sun's health condition was bad before and was
significantly improved after he started to practice Falun Gong. Since Sun was
detained, the prison authorities don't allow him to practice and yet force him
to do long hours of heavy labor. Consequently, Sun's health has gotten worse and
worse and he even passed out once. The whole family worries that Sun might die
at any time. They hope the SAR government can rescue him as soon as possible. After the of appeal to the SAR government, practitioners went to the newly
elected legislative council which was in session to submit an appeal letter.
They called on all legislative council members to help practitioners persecuted
in China: one letter, one phone call or even one signature will make a
difference. Canadian Deputy Prime Minister Anne McLellan's Letter
Regarding the Canada-China Bilateral Human Rights Dialogue Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency
Preparedness Canada Ottawa, Canada The Honourable A. Anne McLellan, P.C. October 18, 2004 Falun Dafa Association of Canada Thank you for your correspondence dated October 8, 2004, concerning the
persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China. Canada remains deeply concerned about ongoing reports of the suppression of
freedom of expression and spiritual practice in China, including Falun Gong.
Canada consistently raises the human rights concerns of many Canadians during
regular dialogues with Chinese leaders at all levels. Canada registers its concerns about China's human rights record in annual
public statements, including those made at the United Nations General Assembly
and the United Nations Commission on Human Rights. The most recent Canadian
statement, delivered in Geneva on March 25, 2004, made specific mention of the
persistent scale and scope of restrictions on freedom of expression,
association, religion and spiritual beliefs, which reflects concerns about the
treatment of both spiritual groups such as the Falun Gong and minority groups in
Tibet and Xinjiang. Canada engages China on human rights issues through a dialogue process,
including the Joint Committee on Human Rights (JCHR), where the Chinese
government is urged to respect rights such as freedoms of expression. At the
seventh meeting of the JCHR in October 2003 in Ottawa, Canada raised a number of
key human rights concerns, including the plight of Falun Gong practitioners,
with the Chinese authorities. On the event of the Canada-China Bilateral Human Rights Dialogue, please be
assured that we will continue to make our views known to the Chinese
authorities. Thank you again for writing on this important issue. Yours sincerely, A. Anne McLellan US Congressman David Wu: "I Am Strongly Opposed to the
People's Republic of China's Treatment of the Falun Gong" Congress of the United States September 8, 2004 Thank you for contacting me regarding your concerns about China's treatment
of Falun Gong practitioners. I appreciate hearing your thoughts on this matter. I share your concerns. As the only Chinese-American member of Congress and as
a strong human rights advocate, I am strongly opposed to the People's Republic
of China's (PRC) treatment of the Falun Gong and others who oppose the PRC's
rule. I believe certain rights, such as the freedom of speech and the freedom of
association, are fundamental rights that all people should enjoy, no matter the
nationality or location. As you may know, I have spoken frequently to advocate for human rights
improvements in China. I have taken strong position opposing U.S. trade policies
with the PRC, including legislation to grant China Most-Favored-Nation,
permanent Most-Favored-Nation trade status, and China's entry into the World
Trade Organization (WTO). Due to the PRC's volume of trade with the United
States, I believe the U.S. government should use our trade advantages, as well
as other appropriate means, to leverage improvements in China's human rights
practices. Please know that I will continue to work on behalf of human rights in
China, and I will keep your views in mind and continue to work on this very
important matter. Once again, thank you for writing me regarding your concerns. Should you have
further questions or comments, please contact me. With warm regards, David Wu Canadian Minister of Justice: "Canada Is Not A Safe Haven
For Persons Who Have Committed Crimes Against Humanity, Regardless Of When Or
Where They Were Committed" Thank you for your correspondence of January 20, 2004, on behalf of the Falun
Dafa Association of Canada, concerning Canada's Crimes Against Humanity and War
Crimes Program. Your views are important to me, and officials in my
correspondence unit regret that your letter was delayed. As you may know, Canada has jurisdiction under the Crimes against Humanity
and War Crimes Act to prosecute persons who were involved in
genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity outside of Canada if either
the perpetrator or the victim was a citizen of Canada when the crimes were
committed. Furthermore, Canada may take jurisdiction over the matter if the
perpetrator is present in Canada after the crime has been continued, regardless
of the citizenship of the perpetrator or the victim at the time of the offence. The policy of the Canadian Government in this matter is unequivocal. Canada
is not, and will not become, a safe haven for persons who have committed war
crimes, crimes against humanity, or other reprehensible acts regardless of when
or where they were c ommitted . I am aware that you met with Department of Justice Canada officials on
February 4, 2004, to further explore appropriate action. I trust that the
meeting was productive, and that it strengthened your confidence in Canada's
commitment to uphold human rights. Thank you again for writing, and for your advocacy in this matter. Yours sincerely, Irwin Cotler US Congressman David Price: The Shooting of Falun Gong
Practitioner in South Africa Suggests a Disturbing Conspiratorial Pattern of
Harassment and Intimidation Perpetrated by the Jiang Regime Dear (name omitted), Because you are a resident of the Fourth District of North Carolina, your
letter to Representative Brad Miller was forwarded to me. I am happy to address
your concerns about the incident involving Australian Falun Gong practitioners
in South Africa. I know of your support for practitioners of Falun Gong, and I share your
concern about the baseless, reactionary persecution of Falun Gong by the Chinese
government. The shooting of Australian citizen David Liang while in South Africa
is extremely troubling. This and other assaults assumed to be perpetrated by the
Jiang regime suggest a disturbing conspiratorial pattern of harassment and
intimidation that follows Falun Gong practitioners not only in China, but
throughout the world. Mounting evidence that Falun Gong practitioners are experiencing the same
sort of terrorization on American soil has moved Congress to express its concern
about Falun Gong persecution. As you know, earlier this year the House passed
legislation, of which I was a cosponsor, to urge the United States'
representative at the United Nations Commission on Human Rights to introduce a
resolution encouraging China to put an end to human rights violations. In
addition, the House recently passed H. Con. Res. 304, which I also cosponsored.
This resolution would express the sense of Congress that China should end the
persecution of Falun Gong practitioners. It now awaits action in the Senate. I will continue to monitor this human rights issue and to voice my support
for ending the oppression of Falun Gong. Thank you for your letter, and I hope
you will continue to be in touch with me about issues before Congress. Sincerely, DAVID PRICE Tanzania Human Rights Organization Passes a Resolution of
Support for Bringing Jiang Zemin to Justice A renowned human rights organization in Tanzania passed a resolution
condemning Chinese ex-president Jiang Zemin's human rights violations against
Falun Gong practitioners, and supporting bringing Jiang to justice. The Resolution of The University of Dar es Salaam Human Rights Association UDSM-Human Rights, Making Human Rights Reality The resolution of the University of Dar es Salaam Human Rights Association (UDSM-Human
Rights) against the persecution of Falun Gong (Falun Dafa) practitioners in
China: Whereas, Falun Gong (also known as Falun Dafa) is a traditional practice of
body and mind based on the universal principle of
"Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance," and is commended for its devotion
to public service , and commitment to improving health in mind, body and spirit; Whereas, the rights to life, liberty and security of person is enshrined in
the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) as per Article 3; Whereas, it is provided under Article 5 of the UDHR that no one shall be
subjected to torture, or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; Knowing, that everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and
religion as per article 18(1) of the International Covenant on Civil and
Political Rights (ICCPR) of 1966; Noting, that Article 18(1) of the hereinabove referred instrument stipulates
that no one shall be subject to coercion which would impair his freedom to have
or adopt a religion or belief of his choice; Recognizing, that each state has the obligation under Article 4 of the
Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or
Punishment (1984) to ensure all acts are offences under its criminal law; Whereas, the long time persecution of Falun Dafa in China violates severely
the international human rights law; BE IT RESOLVED that the University of Dar es Salaam Human Rights (herein
referred to as UDSM-HUMAN RIGHTS) and the University members (the Undersigned)
support efforts to bring JIANG ZEMIN to the court of justice (for his crimes of
torture and crime against humanity); BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Dr.Kofi
Annan-Secretary General of the United Nations; the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
and International Cooperation (the United Republic of Tanzania); The Chinese
Ambassador to Tanzania; and the United Nations Commissioner for Human Rights in
Geneva-Switzerland. THE PEOPLE WHOSE SIGNATURES APPEAR BELOW CONDEMN IN THE STRONGEST TERMS THE
PERSECUTION OF THE FALUN DAFA AND EXPRESS THEIR STRONG SUPPORT TO ALL THE LEGAL
PROCEDURES TAKEN TO BRING THE PERPETRATORS TO JUSTICE. China: Zhou Qianzhu Tortured to Death in Guizhou Women's Labor
Camp in October 2004 Ms. Zhou Qianzhu, 44, died from torture suffered in Guizhou Women Labor Camp
in October, 2004. Since Jiang Zemin started the persecution of Falun Gong in July 1999, Ms.
Zhou has firmly kept her faith. Because of this, she was detained many times,
but she never gave up her belief despite threats and pressure from the police.
For this reason, she was treated as a high profile practitioner. In 2003, after
the local "610
Office" arrested her, they sentenced her to the Guizhou Provincial
Women's Labor Camp, where she went through brutal brainwashing sessions. She was
inhumanly tortured, and severely debilitated, both psychologically and
physically. She died in October 2004 in the Guizhou Provincial Women's Labor
Camp. Ms. Zhou's husband and their child are not Falun Gong practitioners. They
could not bear the overwhelming pressure and constant harassment, and left the
area to be as far away from the situation as they could. China: Tuanhe Forced Labor Camp Officials Plot to Deceive
Investigators from the UN International Labor Organization On January 1, 2004, the UN's International Labor Organization visited the
Beijing Tuanhe Forced Labor Camp for investigation. As if facing a formidable
foe, the camp authorities took all of the jailed Falun Gong practitioners inside
and confined them in a single area. They did not allow the practitioners to go
outdoors nor require them to work, either. To set up a so-called "free
interview" for the international investigation team, Group 3 arranged for
Pan Jun, a graduate from the Legal and Law University, and Mu Yuan, a graduate
of Beijing University of Technology, to answer the visitors' questions. Both of
these practitioners had been brainwashed and put through multiple rehearsals in
advance. They were also warned that they would have to "take
responsibility" if they went off track. However, with the help of fellow Falun Gong practitioners, Pan Jun had
already awakened from the brainwashing, so he decided to take the opportunity to
expose the horrible persecution to the international visitors and ask them for
help. Of course, everyone imprisoned there had a clear understanding of what
would happen to him once he did it: he would face revenge or even murder. It was
hard, solemn, and stirring to make the choice, because they hoped to take the
rare chance to tell the international community the truth. But on the other hand
they were worried about his safety. Meanwhile, some other Falun Gong
practitioners, ignoring their life or death situation, were ready to rush out to
meet the visitors in order to tell them the inside story about the persecution. The camp police could feel a change in the atmosphere, so they immediately
cancelled the meeting between the visitors and the jailed Falun Gong
practitioners. The practitioners were not allowed to take lunch until 3pm, and
had to "sit on a board" in groups without talking, walking or looking
through windows. As a result, the elaborately planned "open and free
visit" was replaced with physical punishment and hunger. The Chinese Prison System I Know By a Falun Gong practitioner in Guangxi Province, China The following are facts I've learned about the Chinese prison system. Most
are my personal experiences. Some were learned from my cellmates. 1. Detention Center The inmates in the detention center are classified into three groups:
administrative detainees, criminal detainees and arrestees. Administrative
detainees do not need to take off their clothing items like leather shoes and
leather belts when admitted. Criminal detainees are not treated as leniently, as
the moment they arrive at the detention center, the guards force them to remove
all their clothing and submit to a body search. The police use pliers to pull
open zippers and metal closures on the clothes, resulting in many of the clothes
being badly torn and damaged. The most ridiculous thing at the center is that there is a large bamboo
basket near the door of the check-up room which the guards call the "trash
bin." Inmates are not allowed to bring any valuable personal items like
gold rings, watches, leather shoes, leather belts, or jewelry into the cell. The police do not behave like they do on TV, and register your personal
belongings for you. Instead they tell inmates to throw their possessions into
the "trash bin." Some people's personal items that are worth several
thousand, or even ten thousand yuan, are thrown into that bin. Of course it is
pretty obvious where all this "trash" eventually ends up. A pair of my
good running shoes were lost this way. At the time I realized where the
so-called used shoes at the night market came from. But even the police in other
branches do not know this fact. Goods are for sale to inmates in the detention center, but they are twice as
expensive as in the market. Beer and cigarettes are also sold there. But the
cigarettes are fake, not tobacco. Everyone is barefoot unless they were wearing
slippers when admitted. All other shoes are thrown into the "trash
bin." The wealthy inmates can buy slippers sold there. The poor inmates
walk barefoot, and are forced to jog and do drills barefoot every morning. When
it rains, the hardship is even more severe. The food is also very poor. The allowance for each meal is 150 to 200 grams
of cooked rice with several pieces of green vegetables and a little meat each
week. Within ten seconds of the meal being served, even before I began to eat,
some had inmates had already finished theirs. My work at the center was stringing lantern beads. I was forced to thread two
pieces of copper thread through a hole in a plastic base, and then position the
thread equally to both sides of the base. Because the thread was thin and the
hole was small, it was hard to pierce and I always pricked my hands. The
assignment was 2-4 bags each day, each bag containing 1000 pieces. The older
inmates' assignment was half this much. Most people cannot finish the assigned
work, and they have to work overtime at night. Some even worked until three or
four a.m. However, if there is a Dafa disciple inside the cell, the inmates will
help each other. Many inmates, including the heads of the cell, sincerely feel
that Falun Dafa is good. They respect Dafa disciples very much. 2. The "Take In" Center Our local "take in" center was once used for brainwashing classes.
The classes lasted more than two years, and illegally detained a large number of
Dafa disciples. Some practitioners were sent from the "take in" center
to forced labor camps. After being released from the labor camps, some were sent
back to the center, and then returned to the labor camp again. At that time the center was mainly for detaining prostitutes and their
customers. The term lasts from six months to two years. From the experience of
some inmates here, we can see the chaos of the Chinese judicial system. One
young man was a taxi driver. He drove a customer to a "hair salon" to
see a prostitute, then waited for him outside the door. Then the police came to
arrest customers of the prostitutes. The driver was also detained for six
months. Another detainee was the head of a construction contracting company. He
was arrested for consorting with a prostitute and asked to pay a 3000-5000 yuan
fine. He thought he would be detained for at most fifteen days, so he refused to
pay the fine. As a result, he was detained for two years. Actually the detention
term is totally dependent on the whim of the police. There is no formal policy
at all. Sometimes the police directly send the inmates to the detention center
without mentioning the fine. Almost all the inmates here are from other places,
and the police dare not take in local people because their family members could
make trouble. The detainees are forced to do work such as threading lantern beads, tilling
land, and carrying mud. Since the "take in" center is for
administrative penalties, the work is not heavy. 3. Drug Rehabilitation Center I did not personally go to the drug rehabilitation center, but I learned a
lot about the center from many drug addicts who were sent there. The drugs addicts call our local drug rehabilitation center "the darkest
prison in Southeast Asia." The guards do not supervise the center directly,
as other inmates, known as "big brothers," supervise this area. There
is no so-called study or education inside. The drug addicts only work hard to
make money for the guards. The assignment for stringing lamp beads is seven or
eight bags per day. It is quite common for newcomers to work around the clock
without sleep to meet their quota. Only if they work quickly enough, can they
earn time to sleep. If someone cannot finish the assignment over the long term,
and if beating them every day also doesn't motivate the inmate, only then were
they allowed to change to another job. The "big brothers" do not need to work. Their work is to supervise
others. If inmates cannot finish their work assignments, the "big
brothers" beat them or have someone else beat them. The "big
brothers" carry around large wooden clubs at all times. They check up on
work progress in the afternoon. If anyone has not completed enough work, the
"big brothers" beat them on the spot. The drug addicts have to give
most personal items that are brought to them by their family members to the
"big brothers," while keeping only one or two bags of instant noodles.
The guards actually cover up all these facts. Both the guards and the big
brothers have beaten inmates to death, but since the center has a death quota
every year, all the incidents were covered by paying out some money. When higher authorities come to inspect, the center does something to ensure
a favorable review. For example, there is usually no meat for the inmates, but
during the inspection a big slice of meat will be put into every inmate's bowl.
But the inmates are told beforehand, "You are not allowed to eat it!"
Then when the inspection is over, all the meat is collected. Some inmates were
so starved that they ate the meat. As a result, they were beaten first, then
thrown into a pool to soak, then exposed to the hot sun. According to the law, the term for drug rehabilitation is three months. But
in this center the drug addicts were released after three months only if their
family paid 3000 yuan. Without payment the term would be extended to one or two
years. I once heard that the center director's two sons both died a violent death.
People who knew the facts called it karmic retribution. 4. Forced Labor Camp These forced labor "re-education" camps are intended to combine
labor with "education." But in Chinese labor camps, there is only
labor without education. As the cadres, (1) the police at the forced labor camp
describe their mission, "We educate people by labor." In fact, it is
nothing but a money-making tool of the police department. There are numerous reports on the internet of how labor camps have treated
Dafa practitioners. The cadres secretly do many evil deeds. They have other
inmates monitor or watch "untransformed" practitioners around the
clock, but after some time many of the monitors become practitioners' friends.
Some even help practitioners transmit information outside the camp. When the
evildoers suspect this they change the monitor, but the result is the same. Many
practitioners' monitors were changed more than ten times. In fact many inmates
know that the cadre are evil. The most common way to deal with "untransformed" practitioners is
depriving them of sleep. They are put in a small cell every day, and brainwashed
by one or two brainwashing specialists and cadre members. If the practitioner is
sleepy, he will be pushed to wake him/her up. According to practitioners who
experienced the process, it is somewhat like hypnotizing, making one dazed,
unable to think normally, so one is more apt to be brainwashed. On the women's team, practitioners are not allowed to drink water, except for
the small amount of water in the vegetables served at each meal. Sometimes they
are beaten in secret, but the cadres deny everything. There are all kinds of work in the labor camp, including making colored
lanterns, knitting sweaters, making cloth toys, embroidering slippers, and
grinding gems. Other miscellaneous work varies with the season. Stringing lantern beads, as I mentioned above, is part of making colored
lanterns. Making colored lanterns is one of the main activities in the labor
camp. During holidays there are decorations with lanterns and colored banners
everywhere. Can you imagine that most of the beautiful lanterns are made by
inmates under extremely arduous conditions? It is the same with embroidered
slippers, cloth toys, necklaces, strings of beads, the stones mounted in
utensils, and so on. The work assignments in the labor camp are the amount one can finish from
7:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Some inmates can finish the assignment after dinner, but
most need to work until 11:00 p.m. or midnight. It was once heard that someone
on the women's team died from exhaustion. After that, the labor camp gave an
order to stop work by 11:00 p.m. But actually, every team forces inmates to secretly work past 11:00 p.m. For
example, the inmates in the gem team had to get up at 5:00 a.m. and go to bed at
2:00 a.m. next day. Even so, the director stated in the monthly meetings,
"Our team's output last month is less than some other teams. This month we
need to make greater efforts." Extending or reducing the terms of detainment is chaotic in the labor camps.
Any cadre member can alter an inmate's term for any reason. The cadres
arbitrarily extend steadfast Dafa practitioners' terms. However, after all the
practitioners protested these actions, the cadres restrained themselves
somewhat. Even so, every practitioner's term was extended, and some were
extended the maximum of one year. Enslaved Falun Gong Practitioners Forced to Work on
Preparations for Olympic Games Falun Gong practitioners detained in Changle Labor Camp were forced to plant
trees and dig ditches along the Jinan to Qingdao Highway as part of
infrastructure improvements underway to prepare for Qingdao's participation in
the 2008 Olympics. From March 30 to April 5, 2004, the administration of Changle
Labor Camp sent detained practitioners to the center of Huangfu Village in
Changle County (along the Jinan to Qingdao Highway) to dig holes, plant poplar
tress, and dig ditches for the 2008 Olympic Green Belt. Practitioners who were forced to work included those over 60 years old. Due
to long-term malnutrition, poor living conditions, heavy labor, and being
forbidden to practice Falun Gong, many practitioners felt very weak. Some of
them had begun to practice Falun Gong as a way to improve their health, and
being denied the freedom to practice was having a negative impact on them.
Police shouted at them to work quickly, telling them that the hard work would
help them "transform" (i.e. give up their belief). They were all exhausted from being overworked. Many of them had never done
such hard physical labor in their lives. Policeman Liu Xing-an, a key person in
charge of Ward 2, reprimanded practitioners for working too slowly. Policewoman
Ding Guihua, in charge of No.2 Ward, was involved in torturing practitioner Liu
Shuchun to death. She insulted practitioners, claiming they could not do the
work because they had learned Falun Gong. People understand the Olympic spirit to embody courage and nobility, calling
the Olympic flame a "sacred fire" passed on to humans by the gods.
Jiang and his regime have tainted this spirit by enslaving Falun Gong
practitioners in preparing for the Olympic Games. We call on the International Olympic Committee to investigate this incident. China: Husband Beaten to Death, Children Illegally Jailed in
Prisons, Ms. Zhou Dongmei Has to Cry for Justice on Street Ms. Zhou Dongmei used to live in Xishui County, Hubei Province. Her son, Nan
Xiaoqing, a Falun Gong practitioner, has been detained at the Xishui County
Police Department for 18 months now, and is currently in critical condition. Ms.
Zhou Dongmei's husband, Mr. Nan Chuyin, was tortured to death for practicing
Falun Gong. Knowing her son's condition, Ms. Zhou went to the police department many
times demanding his release, but the police refused. Having lost hope, Ms. Zhou
and her daughter, Nan Tianju, went to the streets in the morning of October 11,
2004. They held poster boards explaining the injustice that their family is
suffering. People on the streets were shocked to find out that Ms. Zhou's
husband died from internal injuries caused by brutal beatings by the police.
They could not believe that her son was being tortured to the brink of death.
When Zhou and her daughter passed in front of the police department, where
several police officers forcibly snatched away and smashed their boards. During
the struggle, Zhou's three-year-old niece was frightened to tears. Some
spectators criticized the police brutality, and others shed tears of sympathy. On the morning of October 12, Ms. Zhou and her daughter again took to the
streets with a poster board saying: "My husband died from persecution for
practicing Falun Gong. My younger daughter was unjustly sentenced to six years
in prison for practicing Falun Gong. My son, Nan Xiaoqing, has developed many
serious illnesses after being detained for 18 months, and he is still not
released. I demand that the government release my son." They went street by
street crying for justice. When they walked in front of the county government
building, a "110" police car and another police vehicle stopped in
front of them. Two people got out of the car and five policemen came from the
other vehicle. They took away Ms. Zhou's sign and forced Ms. Zhou and her
daughter into the police car. They then left the scene quickly. We appeal to the international community to condemn the crimes committed by
the Chinese government and to rescue Nan Xiaoqing and his family. Kurier Newspaper: Austria Bails Out Politically Persecuted
Chinese National - Express Passport Allows a 32-year-old New Austrian to Travel
Again There has been a happy ending for a thirty-two year old politically
persecuted Chinese living in southern Austria. Yong Wang was granted express
Austrian citizenship, plus a passport, after the People's Republic of China
revoked his freedom to travel. The Austrian Government, outraged with the Chinese officials' action,
expedited the request by the thirty two year old economist. Wang experienced, as
an admitted Falun Gong adherent, political persecution. Falun Gong, also called
Falun Dafa, is a meditation practice banned by the Chinese regime. Since 1999,
according to information from the Vienna Falun Dafa information Centre, more
than 100,000 practitioners of this practice have been persecuted and arrested in
China. Even in Austria, Wang suffered under the Chinese regime's dirty tricks.
Thirty-two-year-old Wang lives with his Austrian wife and son in Vienna's
Neustadt. During this summer, the Chinese Embassy refused his passport
extension. Yong Wang told us, "I had no passport and was unable to travel.
It was rather unpleasant." In desperation, he applied for Austrian citizenship. This new Austrian will
have a passport next week. Translated from German at http://de.clearharmony.net/articles/200411/20224.html Puerto Rico's Largest Newspaper La Primera Hora: A
Discipline that Transforms Lives Falun Dafa is based on the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion and
Tolerance. Five sets of qigong exercises are part of the practice. One of the aspirations of human beings is to have a good quality of life. To
be able to have that, it is important to achieve harmony between the body, the
mind and the spirit. Although that may seem difficult, there is an ancient
Chinese discipline which establishes the possibility to reach such harmony in a
way that is much easier than is often thought: it is called Falun Dafa. Also
known as Falun Gong, this practice reached its peak at the beginning of the
90's, when it began to spread in its country of origin. Since then millions of
practitioners around the world have shown their interest in the discipline, and
assure that they have gained numerous benefits from the discipline as well as
improved their general health. "A human being is not just a body," says Pia-Maria Sandas, a
practitioner of the discipline for the last five years. "Currently, doctors
know that 70 percent of diseases are psychosomatic. So, that indicates how
important it is to think beyond just the body," she explains. Easy to Learn Falun Dafa consists of two principal aspects: the practice and cultivation.
The first part refers to the five exercises that belong to the group of
exercises called qigong. "They are very easy to learn," Sandas
emphasizes, who at the same time recognizes that although "ideally the five
exercises are done together [in sequence]", each person can establish their
own routine - taking into consideration the fast life style which is so common
today. "It depends on the time each person has (to do the exercises). I travel
a lot and I don't have much time. Many times in the morning I do a few of the
exercises which are done standing up, and in the evening I do the meditation
exercise, or the other way around," says Sandas who is an executive of a
well-known cosmetic company, for which she travels to different countries. On the other hand, though this practice is somewhat similar to other
disciplines such as Tai Chi or Yoga, Sandas explains that Falun Dafa
"guides the person to a higher level and spiritual enlightenment."
Moreover, it implies a routine, which is less complicated to learn. "There
are people who have learned the practice through the Internet." A book that
explains the exercises, as well as Zhuan Falun that explains in detail
how to live by truthfulness, compassion and tolerance, are both written by
Teacher Li Hongzhi, and can be downloaded from the web for free. Learning Falun Dafa is free, which allows it to be more accessible. "No
one can charge. It is taught voluntarily," she emphasizes. Neither is there
a leader who represents an authority because "it is not an
organization", she clarifies to rule out the idea of it being a cult or
religion. Spiritual Balance The second aspect of Falun Dafa is the way of cultivation, which is based on
the three universal principles: truth, compassion, tolerance. "The practice
is based on five exercises and the cultivation is based on three words,"
explains the former Finnish model, who takes advantage of every opportunity in
her itinerary to promote the practice that has changed her life. In her particular case, Sandas confesses, "I now experience a harmony
that I did not have before. My life was so much more chaotic before. I used to
have a lot of worries, anxieties - I did not feel well. I did not have the
balance or the happiness that I have today. Now I get along with everyone much
easier, I feel much more peaceful inside, and my health has improved a lot. I
used to have asthma and a lot of allergies. Springtime used to be terrible for
me. Now I do not need any medication to control them, and I do not have
allergies anymore," she gratefully explains. "I know people who have been able to stop abusing drugs and alcohol
because it [Falun Dafa] brings such internal peace, tranquility and better
health. For example, it helps relieve tension and anxiety, increases energy and
vitality, improves physical health significantly, and promotes spiritual
development," Sandas says, in addition to emphasizing that all of this
information is supported by scientific studies. An International Practice Taught for centuries from master to disciple, Falun Gong re-emerged in 1992
when Master Li Hongzhi, nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in recent years,
brought it out to the public. Today millions of people practice it in more than
60 countries, and for its contribution to society it has received more than 800
acknowledgements from well-known organizations, presidents, senators, government
leaders and other leaders in the international community. A Persecuted Practice It is a practice that promotes truth, compassion and tolerance. Nevertheless,
to practice it in China, its country of origin, could mean death. The practice
of Falun Dafa was accepted during its resurgence in 1992, when Master Li Hongzhi
began to disseminate the practice throughout the entire country, until 1999, the
moment when former president Jiang Zemin decided to prohibit it and launched a
persecution campaign. To justify the severe reprisals, which include the death
penalty and imprisonment, Zemin categorized it as 'superstitious' and 'bad'. "What is happening is very serious," Pia-Maria Sandas says with
sadness. In addition to practicing the discipline, she is very dedicated to
raising awareness about the other reality, which affects millions of Falun Dafa
practitioners in the Asian country. Up until today there are more than one hundred thousand people imprisoned in
China for practicing Falun Dafa and 1,048 have been tortured to death by the
authorities. "Thousands of healthy people have been put into mental
hospitals, and they inject them with drugs that damage the nervous system; and
many of them have for example been burned with irons. It is documented by
Amnesty International," Sandas mentions. Other forms of torture that are
used by the Chinese authorities include mutilation, sleep deprivation, rape,
forced abortions, deprivation of food and electrocution. The executive also
mentions how closely this reality has affected her through one of her best
friends, Jane Dai, whose husband was tortured to death for practicing this
discipline. In view that the international community considers Falun Dafa an inoffensive
practice, some analysts claim that one of the reasons for this persecution is
the fact that in 1999 the discipline had more that 70 million practitioners.
Apparently, the former Chinese President and current Head of the Military, Jiang
Zemin, felt fear when he discovered the enormous number of people who practiced;
it exceeded the number of communist party members. Heads of states of different
countries and human rights organizations condemn the action of the Chinese
Government, classifying it as genocide. "Lawsuits have been filed against Jiang Zemin and his people in 18
countries," says Sandas. Among those who have expressed their condemnation
are the president of the United States and the president of the European
Parliament. "We ask for help from the Puerto Rican people so that they will unite
with other countries in this effort to stop the persecution in China," says
Sandas with concern. "There are web sites where people can sign petitions.
The people need to know the truth about what is happening". Record Net (California): Film brings officials to Manteca -
Chinese consul seeks movie's removal from festival Published Thursday, November 4, 2004 MANTECA -- An independent film that was made to shock viewers and raise
awareness about persecution in China has brought Chinese government officials to
Manteca. Shixun Yan, the Chinese consul general in San Francisco, and Vice Consul
Zhang Wei Qing asked the Manteca Convention and Visitors Bureau on Tuesday not
to show the movie "Sandstorm" at a film festival scheduled for
Saturday, said Linda Abeldt, the bureau's executive director. "Sandstorm," an independent film made in Toronto, has been shown at
film festivals throughout the world, including in Moscow, New York City and
India, and has won numerous awards. The film tells the story of a Chinese police officer who is trapped in a
sandstorm with a dying wife for 12 days. The officer begins to recall a woman
who was tortured to death in a Chinese police station for not renouncing her
belief in a spiritual practice called Falun Gong. "Sandstorm" will be one of a number of independent international
and domestic films being shown at the third annual Delta Film Festival this
Saturday at PGM Theaters, 1355 N. Main St., Abeldt said. She said the consular officials said the movie presented the Chinese
government in a "bad light." Abeldt said she told them the bureau
would not censor the film. "We explained to them that this was one of the big differences in living
in the United States," she said. The consular officials could not be reached for comment Wednesday afternoon. Falun Gong is a worldwide practice followed by millions of people, including
thousands in the United States. Practitioners take part in light exercises and
meditation and live by a set of principles. Michael Mahonen, the film's writer and director, said Chinese officials in
consulates in Moscow and Houston had requested that the film not be shown at
film festivals in those cities. He said the movie is based on true accounts and
involved Falun Gong practitioners, some of whom were detained and tortured in
China. "It was virtually intended to shock them and wake them up to let them
know what they were doing," said Mahonen, who is working on another movie
script about persecution in China. "Right now, as we speak, there are people being tortured." Tens of thousands of Falun Gong practitioners have been detained arbitrarily
in China since the spiritual movement was banned in July 1999, according to the
human rights group Amnesty International. The House of Representatives passed a resolution last year condemning the
Chinese government for harassing, imprisoning and beating members of advocacy
groups, including Falun Gong practitioners, for "demonstrating peacefully
inside that country." Pamela Liu, 38, practices the Falun Gong exercises and meditation at McKinley
Park in Sacramento every weekend. She said it relieves stress and improves her
physical health. Liu, who was born in China, said her mother-in-law was detained for
practicing Falun Gong's exercises and its three principles: truthfulness,
compassion and forbearance. She said she plans to go to Manteca this weekend to watch
"Sandstorm." "I just hope more people can see it," Liu said. "We want to
let more people know the truth about the persecutions and to let people know
that practitioners are innocent people." DIT Online (South Africa): DIT backs Chinese student despite
pressure from consul DIT (Durban Institute of Technology) has backed a Chinese student's right to
teach Falun Gong (exercises), a practice based on ancient teachings and similar
to tai-chi which is banned in China, after the Chinese consul in Durban asked
the institution to stop her. Lin Li, an exchange student in the Department of Languages and Translation,
has been holding free classes on Falun Gong for interested people during forum
period on Wednesday and at 1pm on Fridays in front of the library at Steve Biko
for the past two weeks. Li has also demonstrated Falun Gong in various parks
near DIT. However, Falun Gong is [...] banned (in China). Lin, who is 28, says she was
imprisoned in China for 18 months after practicing Falun Gong there. Two weeks ago, the Chinese consul general in Durban, Zhang Lianyun, paid a
visit to Li's class, in which he denounced Falun Gong. Lin says at this meeting
Zhang Lianyun warned her to desist from practicing and teaching Falun Gong. Then last Monday, Zhang Lianyun met with Executive Director of Student
Affairs Naziema Jappie, and requested that DIT stop Lin from teaching and
practicing Falun Gong in public. DIT spokesperson, Michelle Sprackett, said, " The Chinese Consulate met
with Jappie last week to request that Lin Li stop practicing Falun Gong at the
DIT. Jappie indicated to the consul general that the DIT supports freedom of
speech and association and would not like to stop Lin Li. Jappie will be meeting
with Lin Li soon to discuss the matter." Lin said that on 19 October, she was told that Jappie wanted to meet with
her. However, she said Jappie was not available when she arrived at her office,
and she was told by her secretary that she was suspended from teaching her
classes. Li said when she did finally meet with Jappie, she presented her with
materials explaining what Falun Gong is. "The Chinese counselor told her that people were dying of Falun Gong. He
didn't tell her the whole story," said Lin. Asked for comment, Jappie told DITonline, "Due to freedom of speech, we
can't stop her from what she's doing. It's not our policy to do so." She
added that she would be meeting with Li to discuss the matter soon. Lin has been in South Africa for three months, during which time she has
taught (the exercises of) Falun Gong also known as Falun Dafa. According to
www.religioustolerance.org, Falun Gong, (pronounced fah-luhn goong), relates to
"the practice of the Wheel of the Dharma". "Falun Gong refers to five sets of exercises, done to Chinese music and
involving lotus postures and hand movements. Falun Dafa is the spiritual
movement that practices Falun Gong. Increasingly, the movement itself is being
called Falun Gong," explains the website. Zhang Lianyun's secretary confirmed that he had met Li two weeks ago on
Friday and with DIT last week Monday to discuss Li's teaching of Falun Gong at
DIT. However, despite numerous phone calls from DITonline, refused to respond to
questions about the incident. According to his secretary, Zhang Lianyun's would
be unavailable till the middle of November. She added that he had no cell phone
or email address on which he could be contacted. "Actually, he's very busy. I don't think he has time to respond to
you," said Zhang Lianyun's secretary. Pata Ndamase, a second year electronic engineering student who observed one
of Lin's classes last week, said, "If it's harming no-one, why should it be
stopped? It it's good for your health I don't see why it should be
stopped." Kuena Mokuena, a first year IT student, said after completing one of Li's
classes, "It's so wonderful and refreshing. I liked it from hearing about
it. I'll try and bring more people to come here, so that they feel more
refreshed too," she added. Namshe Kunene, a second year accounting student, said, "I love it. You
feel so relaxed afterwards, almost like you're floating," after coming to
her second Falun Gong class. According to www.religioustolerance.org, Falun Dafa, also called Falun Gong,
is a movement which "uses ancient Chinese methods to cultivate mind and
body as a means of keeping fit and healing oneself". According to the website, "Falun Dafa incorporates Buddhist and Taoist
principles, and combines them with exercise and body cultivation ... The founder
of the practice, Li Hongzhi, made the movement public in 1992 in China. The
Chinese government soon became worried about the number of people practicing
Falun Dafa, as the number of practitioners had exceeded the number of people in
the Communist Party. Therefore, the government banned the Falun Gong from
joining any other association." In 1999, the Falun Gong group became outlawed. To find out more about Falun
Gong, also called Falun Dafa, click here Click here to read a letter that Li wrote detailing her experience in South
Africa. Last Monday, DIT's Monday Edition published a short article on Lin. The Guardian (Tanzania): UDSM Condemns China's "Violation
of human rights" By Correspondent Nasser Kigwangallah Monday October 25, 2004 Former President Jiang Zemin of China should be prosecuted for crimes against
humanity, the University of Dar es Salaam Human Rights Association has said. In a press statement, the association has also condemned alleged Chinese
government secret agents' June 28, 2004 attempted assassination of five Falun
Gong practitioners in South Africa. The attempt resulted in one of the practitioners becoming disabled, David
Liang, who narrated his moving story on how he escaped death at the hands of the
Chinese agents on Saturday during a public debate held at the campus' Nkrumah
Hall in Dar es Salaam. Liang said the agents trailed them at the Johannesburg International Airport
with the explicit aim of killing them. A two-page statement, signed by the association's president Bahati Tweve,
expressed distaste for the persecution of Falun Gong by the Chinese government
under the stewardship of Jiang. The association expressed strong support for Falun Gong in all the legal
procedures being undertaken to bring perpetrators to justice. The statement said the Chinese government allegedly fears the practice of
body and mind based on the universal principle of truthfulness, compassion and
tolerance. "The University of Dar es Salaam Human Rights University members support
efforts to bring Jiang Zemin to Justice for his crimes against humanity,"
reads part of the statement. The association has also written to Dr. Koffi Annan, the Secretary General of
the United Nations, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International
Cooperation of the United Republic of Tanzania, the Chinese Ambassador of
Tanzania and the United Nations Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva,
Switzerland condemning China's crime against humanity. Falun Gong Practitioners' Righteous Action in China My Experiences Clarifying the Truth in a Detention Center By a Falun Gong practitioner from Wuhan City In April 2000, I was abducted and taken to Qingling Hongxia brainwashing
center in Wuchang district. In the beginning, we were forced to do drills every
morning. Falun Gong practitioners were open and upright cultivators. How could
we listen to their illegal orders? When they gave directions, we did the Falun
Gong exercises. Then they forced us to stand in the sun. Later they used more
brutal torture methods, such as handcuffing our hands, handcuffing the hands
behind the back, depriving us of food, and locking up the door like a prison.
The personnel in the brainwashing center often brought in some political
instructors to deform Falun Gong. We refused to listen and resisted by reciting
"Lunyu" loudly. Another time was in October 2000 when persecution was the cruelest. The
unlawful personnel from the government abducted Falun Gong practitioners and
detained them in a room all day long, depriving them of food. Falun Gong
practitioners shouted out, "Falun Gong is good!" and "Falun Gong
is the righteous Fa." Their voices were loud and clear, shaking the evil.
Even the pedestrians in the streets could hear them. An official in the
judiciary said, "As soon as I got out of the car, I heard your
shouting." People in the streets said that there were a lot of Falun Gong
practitioners detained there and they did not know what crimes Falun Gong
practitioners had committed. The personnel of the brainwashing center felt
passive and afraid at the same time Therefore, they came to talk to us. I was very calm at that time and said to
them, "We Falun Gong practitioners are all good people. Our Teacher teaches
us to be better people and to have a high moral standard. It is not a crime to
be good, but it is violating the constitution when Jiang suppresses good
people." I pointed to myself and asked them, "Can you say that I am a
bad person?" They became silent. Later the chief of the bureau came to talk
with me. She said that she was moved after seeing our actions. She said,
"We cannot understand your loyalty to your Master and your attachment to
Falun Gong." In the end, she said, "You are risking your lives and
being beaten for going to Beijing. You are detained in prison. What for? But you
have no complaint or regret. Your spirit is very touching." When she was
about to leave, she came to the door of my room and told me that she would go
back to her work unit for good. Meanwhile her hands were held together in a
fist, a sign to show me respect. I was also happy about her awakening. The People Awaken to the Truth Seeing Falun Dafa Practiced Overseas Awakens Visitors from
China By a Falun Gong practitioner from Hengyang, China In my past experience of clarifying the truth to people in China, I found
that two groups of people were very hard to awaken: teachers and government
staff members. Most of these people were educated in schools and universities
where they were indoctrinated with the atheism of the modern educational system.
When they heard the word "God," they claimed that it was superstition
and laughed at and criticized those who used the word as being "stupid and
uneducated." A citizen's right of appeal is guaranteed by China's
Constitution, but they label practitioners' legal appeals as "getting
involved in politics." They insisted that if we persisted in doing
something forbidden by the government, then we were against the government and
challenging the country's sovereignty: therefore, we were political. The
teachers and government staff members were reluctant to let me clarify the truth
to them. Some even tried to avoid me. Recently, I met several teachers from a county education bureau.
Surprisingly, they brought up the topic of Falun Gong and actively talked with
me. They said that when they visited Hong Kong during the summer vacation, they
saw many banners stating, "Falun Dafa is Great," "Falun Dafa is
Righteous," "Stop Persecuting Falun Gong," "Bring Jiang to
Justice," and more. The banners were hanging everywhere along Hong Kong's
streets and alleys. They also watched a big and wonderful Falun Gong parade. I
immediately took the opportunity to clarify the truth further. They suddenly
understood the whole story of Falun Gong and the persecution. One time I brought my daughter to have a dinner with them. When they talked
about the situation of Falun Gong in Hong Kong, my daughter took out several
flyers and put them on the table. Each teacher took one and said, "While we
were in Hong Kong, we were afraid and didn't dare take the practitioners'
truth-clarification materials, not to mention taking them back home. Now, we are
not afraid anymore." Falun Gong Practitioners' Personal Experiences Sick and Suffering Since Childhood Injury, Falun Dafa
Practitioner Regains New Life I am over 60 years old, and I wouldn't be alive today if I weren't practicing
Falun Gong. As long as I can remember, I was troubled with all kinds of afflictions. My
eyesight was poor, and my mind was never totally sharp and clear. Shortly after
I learned to walk, I stepped into a basin of scalding water and suffered third
degree burns when I fell and the water washed over me. My skin peeled off all
over my body and I could not open my eyes for seven days. I barely survived, but
after that accident, I was afflicted with a multitude of conditions. I had very
little appetite, and I could not bear to touch anything too hot or cold with my
hands or feet. I could not eat anything too cold or spicy. I had intestinal
inflammation and was cold all the time. Very often I suffered from headaches,
stomachaches, joint pain, hearing loss, swollen liver and spleen, and sinus
problems. My nose and mouth often festered. Because I would cough constantly due
to the cold, my bronchial tube expanded and bled. Later on I had gastritis and
my stomach atrophied, and bled when I slept. I was continuously undergoing one
treatment or another, including both Western and Chinese medicine. My condition became more and more serious. I had difficulty talking, as each
word was a struggle. I could hardly breathe. Everything looked dark to me. I
consulted with and was treated by all kinds of doctors, with no relief. The
doctors said that my condition was hopeless. I was fortunate enough to learn Falun Dafa in 1997. I learned what it meant
to truly always think of others. I studied the Falun Gong teachings diligently
and led my life according to the principles of
"Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance." After four months, I could read
even very tiny words, and gradually all my diseases disappeared. Falun Gong
undoubtedly saved my life! Since the persecution began in 1999, I have gone through a lot, but I have
never forgotten what Falun Gong has done for me, and I will always remain
steadfast. Physically Weak and Suffering from Insomnia for Decades, My
Life Changed After Practicing Falun Gong I was born in a doctor's family. I heard from my Mom that I was born
pre-maturely and was destined to be very weak physically from my infancy. She
told me that I even had the chicken pox one more time than normal. The second
time I had chicken pox, my eyes could not move. Due to the fact that my father
was a doctor, I was rescued in time. Otherwise, I would have lost my life. Before I retired in September 1997, in order to get good sleep, I had to take
five sleeping pills and drink a bottle of beer at lunch. It was like this almost
every day. The beer and the tablets were damaging my liver and heart. When I was
young, I had chronic hepatitis, which was cured. However, my liver functioned
very poorly for a long time. My energy level was so poor that if I slept a
little bit less in the evening, I would get bad headaches the next day. I also
had digestive problems and would have trouble going back to sleep if I woke up
during the night. It seemed like any disruption at all in my routine would
prevent me from sleeping. At that point, I had tried so many different
treatments to no avail, and I was only 57 years old. I thought that after I
retired, the only thing left to try was Qigong. In September 1997, when I learned that I could retire early, I filled out the
application. At this time, my cousin and her husband had started practicing
Falun Gong. After learning that I had retired, they invited me to go to the
practice site of the 930 Factory to do the exercises. At the beginning, I only
did the exercises at night, and later we went to the practice site at Jinhua
Park. This was during the Spring Festival, and I took on amazing changes after
practicing Falun Gong for only three months. I did not need to take the sleeping
pills that I had relied on for decades. I suddenly possessed the energy that I
only dreamed about in my youth. Once I went to the railway station to pick up my
niece, and because the train was delayed, I slept for only three hours that
night. The next day, I felt perfectly fine and did the exercises and studied the
Falun Gong teachings with no problem. This would never have been possible before
I started practicing Falun Gong. After being weak and unhappy for decades, my life changed completely. I felt
so much better and could eat all kinds of foods that I dared not eat before. My
wife remarked over and over on how much better I looked. When I rode my bike to
my brother's place, I did not feel as tired as I was before. On the next day, I
could still ride my bike to go to my other brother's place. My face turned a
ruddy color, and my weight also increased to a healthy level. Everyone around me
was amazed by my dramatic improvement. When one co-worker met me on the street,
she was surprised and said, "If you did not say something to me, I wouldn't
have recognized you." She said that I was completely a new person. I am one of many, many cases in which Falun Gong changed the lives of its
practitioners. Because of the amazing benefits that I have personally
experienced, I will never stop practicing it.
--"In the market place of ideas, truth wins." -- National Arts
Club President O. Aldon James
House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515-3701
Member of Congress
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
The Honorable Irwin Cotler, RC., O.C.,
Ottawa, Canada KlA OH8
Member of Congress
For more information about Falun Dafa and on how to learn the exercises, you may
visit the website www.falundafa.org.
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