The Charlatan (Carleton University Newspaper, Ottawa, Canada): Students Stage Trial for Former Chinese Leader

By Elizabeth Howell

Charlatan Staff

It was a trial where the outcome was announced in advance.

On March 31, members of Carleton's Falun Dafa Club staged a mock trial in Baker Lounge where China's former head of state, Jiang Zemin, was charged with torture, crimes against humanity and genocide. The court found Zemin guilty on all charges.

Zemin faces 8 in countries around the world for crimes against Falun Dafa members, a group that practices meditation under the banner "Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance."

"We hope people understand the persecution a lot better," says Cullum McConnell, president of the club. "People don't know to what extent it takes place or the number of people who have been affected."

Among the mock witnesses brought forth was the mayor of Mayfield, Ont., who sent a proclamation to then Prime Minister Jean Chrétien condemning the Chinese government's actions. Later, the Chinese ambassador to Canada sent a letter asking the mayor to rescind the proclamation.

"I was stunned by their boldness," says Elizabeth McCann, the mayor. "I informed them, 'We value freedom in Canada.'"

Other participants, playing Chinese Falun Dafa members, described the electric shocks, beatings and force-feedings they received for being members of the group.

Among the students who attended the trial were Denise Haringer and Donna Hurley, two social work students, who say they snuck out of class early to see the trial.

"We came because it sounded interesting," says Hurley, "It's a human rights issue."

Kunlun Zhang, a Falun Dafa practitioner who says he was tortured for practicing in China, attended the trial. He is asking the federal attorney general to to consent to a lawsuit to prosecute Zemin under Canadian law.

"It's very true," Zhang says of the trial through an interpreter. "The persecution is happening behind closed doors.

"The whole Chinese society is filled with lies and propaganda. It's important to bring out the truth."

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