Augest 25, 1999

Statement Regarding Pending Show-Trials in China

The world is watching in disbelief as the Chinese government is putting on a show-trial to sentence innocent Falun Gong practitioners. The lawyers in China have already been told not to defend these innocent civilians unless they agree with the government propaganda. Also, no legal representation on behalf of them from the concerned international community is allowed to be present at the trial. Clearly, the charges made against these people are fabricated, groundless, and are found, as noted by the Swiss Permanent Representative at U.N., in violation of the Constitution of the P.R.C. and of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that the Chinese government has recently signed. We hope that the world will speak out to ensure fairness and a respect for international legal standards as well as for the right of people to practice their beliefs.

Falun Gong is a traditional Chinese qigong practice for healing and fitness. It is also a spiritual discipline that promotes “Truth, Compassion, Tolerance”, universal virtues that transcend cultural, racial, and national boundaries. While Falun Gong is gaining greater popularity and recognition worldwide, it is being brutally persecuted in China because the number of Falun Gong practitioners exceeds the membership of the entire Communist Party, and because many of the Party members themselves are also practitioners.

Falun Gong is apolitical and is not against any government. Like Tai-chi, it is a popular exercise that improves people’s health and spiritual well-being. Had the Chinese government taken a closer look at the positive nature of this exercise, it would not have mistreated its people this way. All activities of Falun Gong are open to the public, and we are always willing to help the Chinese government gain an objective understanding of the practice. We urge the Chinese government to resolve this issue peacefully through direct dialogue and to stop this policy of suppression because no one wants to see the government lose the trust and confidence of 100 million of its own citizens.

We find it reprehensible that the Chinese state-run media has been engaging in a national smear campaign against Falun Gong, using fabricated information. We are asking the Chinese government to immediately release all of the arrested Falun Gong practitioners and to rescind its arrest order for Mr. Li Hongzhi, founder of Falun Gong.

The Chinese people should be allowed to exercise the right to freedom of belief, freedom of assembly, and freedom of expression, which are stated clearly in the constitution of the PRC. To put Falun Gong practitioners on trial because they attempted to exercise these given rights would make a mockery of the very constitution that is supposed to rule the land. It is in the interests of the state, the government, and the people to respect each individual’s right to these fundamental freedoms. We are still hoping that, with the help and the support of the international community, this issue can be resolved peacefully through direct dialogue with the Chinese government.

Minghui Editorial &
Falun Gong Practitioners in North America