Growing list of governments demand end to killings for organs
NEW YORK -- The European Parliament passed a resolution yesterday condemning "systematic, state-sanctioned organ harvesting from...prisoners of conscience in the People's Republic of China, including from large numbers of Falun Gong practitioners." ( full text ) The resolution calls upon member states to publicly condemn the gruesome practice, and ensure that all of those involved are prosecuted.
"This resolution has sent a loud message to the Chinese communist regime that such crimes against humanity are unacceptable by members of civilized societies," says Falun Dafa Information Center spokesperson Mr. Erping Zhang.
Reports of Chinese officials overseeing the systematic killing of people for their organs first emerged in March, 2006 when a former hospital employee (and wife of one of its doctors) divulged that as many as 4,000 Falun Gong practitioners had been killed for their organs at the hospital in which she had worked. ( news ) One week later, a Chinese military doctor not only corroborated the woman’s account but claimed such atrocities were taking place in 36 different concentration camps throughout the country. ( news )
In July 2006, former Canadian Secretary of State for Asia Pacific David Kilgour and renowned human rights lawyer David Matas, published their own 140-page report. It drew “the regrettable conclusion that the allegations are true” ( news ).
Two books were subsequently published on the topic: Bloody Harvest: Organ Harvesting of Falun Gong Practitioners in China in 2009, and State Organs: Transplant Abuse in China in 2012. They conclude that tens of thousands of Falun Gong practitioners have been killed for their organs.
In 2008, Israel banned transplant tourism largely in response to emerging evidence about organ harvesting in China.
On Dec. 6, 2013, Canadian MP Irving Cotler introduced a law aimed at preventing Canadians from obtaining organs that were not willingly donated.
In the U.S., the House of Representatives is currently working on a resolution condemning organ harvesting in China, and calling for investigations.
"Despite all the pressure and scare tactics Chinese officials have used internationally to keep foreign governments from highlighting this atrocity, many, including the European Parliament, are now challenging Beijing to halt this horrific practice," adds Zhang. "Investigators say between 45,000 and 65,000 Falun Gong practitioners have been killed so their organs could be sold for profit. This must be stopped. It's an affront to all of humanity."
More resources on Organ Harvesting in China:
• Organ harvesting overview • Summary of key evidence • Congressional hearing • VIDEO: Killed for Organs - China's Secret State Transplant Business
Background
In July of 1999 China’s autocratic Communist Party launched an unlawful campaign of arrests, violence, and propaganda against Chinese citizens practicing Falun Gong (or "Falun Dafa") with the intent of “eradicating” the apolitical practice. Since then, the Falun Dafa Information Center, based in New York, has reported over 3,700 deaths from abuse ( news ). The United Nations, Amnesty International, Chinese human rights lawyers, and foreign media have also documented Falun Gong torture and deaths at the hands of Chinese officials ( news ). Hundreds of thousands of Chinese who practice Falun Gong remain in captivity, rendering them the single largest group of prisoners of conscience in China ( news ).
Falun Gong, also called Falun Dafa, is an advanced practice of self-cultivation — a way to improve wellness and attain spiritual wisdom. The practice is from the Buddha School and is based on easy-to-learn exercises, meditation, and the universal values of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Tolerance. Former Communist Party leader, Jiang Zemin, launched the suppression of Falun Gong fearing that it's popularity (70 to 100 million people) and promotion of traditional values were a threat to the Party's control over society. ( report )