By Li Zhiqing

(Clearwisdom.net) On September 21, The New York Times published an article entitled, "Deep Flaws, and Little Justice, in China's Court System." It illustrated the prevalence of torture and mistrial in China. The article suggested that laws did not protect the rights of the public. On the contrary, laws became a source of terror to the ordinary people.

Some people may argue that the abuse of the legal system detailed in The New York Times article was isolated to a few officials and is a "local symptom." Regardless of the validity of the argument in that specific instance, we know for a fact that the persecution of Falun Gong is carried out by the highest authorities of China and the entire legal system. If the international media pay closer attention to the situation of Falun Gong, people will have a deeper understanding of the terror caused by the legal system under the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP's) tyranny.

During the past six years, the suffering born by Falun Gong practitioners has been horrific. I believe that to truly learn the dark truth about the CCP's persecution of the Chinese people, to understand the meaning of terror, evilness, brutality, and hell on earth, people should witness the persecution that Falun Gong practitioners are experiencing.

I also believe that the CCP's handling of Falun Gong can be used as a signal to gauge the current legal system in China. However, this horrendous, large-scale, and long-term persecution has not generated enough attention from international media organizations.

Perhaps it was because this persecution is different from any other in that the CCP has blatantly and viciously slandered Falun Gong and censored information coming out of China, making it difficult for the outside world to learn the truth. However, this should not have been an issue because the media outside of China can at least report on the efforts of overseas Falun Gong practitioners. The vast number of verifiable accounts of brutality towards practitioners in China has been reported on Falun Gong websites and by international human rights organizations.

Perhaps the lack of media coverage was because the persecution of Falun Gong was quickly swept under the rug by the CCP, so that the persecution did not look severe or was no longer the focus. However, on websites based outside of China, we can see that the persecution has not ended. The number of reported deaths of Falun Gong practitioners has been escalating each month, with total verifiable death toll reaching close to 3,000, and with the actual number believed to be much higher. (see reference: http://www.clearwisdom.net/emh/special_column/death_cases/death_list.html) There is no reason for us to stop paying attention to it. Human lives are at stake. We cannot stop reporting on such an important matter that involves countless lives.

Perhaps it was because most Falun Gong practitioners are ordinary people. We don't even know the names, occupations, and hometowns of many of them. However, it doesn't mean that reporting on celebrities is more important. These nameless people are writing the history of the human race and protecting its fundamental values. They are the true heroes of the time.

Perhaps it was because the tremendous pressure and economic temptation from the CCP has made the media bend backwards to avoid this "sensitive" subject. If that was the cause, however, then the media that remain silent should be viewed as accomplices of the CCP in torture and killing, for they quietly allowed the initiation and continuation of the persecution.

Whatever the case, the media's ignorance and indifference on Falun Gong is not normal. When innocent people are bearing unimaginable pains every day, our media have no excuse to remain silent. This horrid persecution is a test for everyone's sense of humanity and conscience. It is also a test for every media.

During the first two years of the persecution, the media from outside of China reported thoroughly on the persecution. Under pressure from the international community, the CCP moved the persecution underground. Apparently it is afraid of exposing its lies and abuses. If the media of the world can continue to monitor and report on the Falun Gong situation, the CCP will not be able to maintain the persecution. It is perhaps time for the media to question if their indifference has aided the continuation of this dreadful disaster.

When Hitler persecuted the Jews, the outside world knew very little about it. People didn't learn the facts until afterwards. They were shocked by what they learned and condemned those who were silent. When the day comes that the truth about the persecution of Falun Gong is completely revealed, people will be just as shocked, and will also condemn those who were in the know but took no action.

Posting date: 10/6/2005
Original article date: 10/6/2005
Category: Open Forum
Chinese version available at http://minghui.ca/mh/articles/2005/9/25/111158.html

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