News and Events from Around the World

• Judge Gives Green Light to Criminal Trial of Chen Zhili in Tanzania
• Canadian Court Directs Garnishment of Chinese Vice Consul General's Bank Account
• Boston: 2000 Practitioners Hold Grand Parade to Call for an End to the Persecution and Urge that Jiang be Brought to Justice
• Falun Gong Practitioners from Around the World Gather in Washington DC

• US Congressman Chris Hollen Presents Citation in Support and Recognition of the Efforts to End the Persecution of Falun Gong Practitioners in China and Around the World
• Freedom House: U.S. Urged to Press China on Religious Freedom
• International Society for Human Rights Press Release: Five Years Ago -- Abolishment and Violent Persecution of Falun Gong
• Canada: MP Libby Davies Writes to Minister of Foreign Affairs Concerning the Recent Shooting of a Falun Gong Practitioner in South Africa

• Atrocities in Baoding Forced Labor Camp, Heibei Province, China
• Mr. Jiang Yong Dies as a Result of Torture in Changchun City, Jilin Province, China
• The Chinese Consulate in Toronto Rejected My Passport Renewal Application
• Comprehensive Report: 165 Death Cases Reported in the First Half of 2004, 75 of These Died This Year
• Falun Gong Practitioners Suffer Mental Trauma and Death As A Result of the Jiang Group's Abuse of Psychiatry

• Radio Free Asia: Chen Zhili Sued by Falun Gong during Her Visit to Tanzania
• VOA: A Canadian Court Orders the Garnishment of a Chinese Diplomat's Assets
• Globe and Mail, Canada: Court seeks diplomat's assets
• World Journal Reports 3000 Falun Gong Practitioners Gather in Washington DC to Express Wishes
• VOA: "Great Wall of Courage" Activity Unfolds in Washington DC

• Practicing Falun Gong Reverses All Malignancy Symptoms

• Tourist Refuses Police's Vicious Demand in Tiananmen Square
• A Policeman's Letter to Clearwisdom Net Exposes the Tortures of Falun Gong Practitioners Behind Scenes

The historic legal action against Member of the Chinese State Council Chen Zhili has taken a major step forward. The preliminary judgment in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, on August 3 was in favor of the Falun Gong practitioners in Ethiopia, on whose behalf attorneys brought the case.

With the judge's decision, the civil action has been concluded, clearing the way for a criminal trial. The case is now in the process of being moved to the Chief State Prosecutor's office.

The case was initiated as a civil action via an affidavit filed on July 19. The affidavit alleges murder and torture of Chinese teachers and students who practice Falun Gong. Chen was Minister of Education from 1998-2003, during which time at least 61 teachers or students were killed for practicing Falun Gong.

Chen appeared in front of the judge on July 19, marking the first time any Chinese official responsible for the persecution of Falun Gong has appeared in person at any of the legal actions filed in many countries.

Order Follows Judgment Against Chinese Official for Libel Against Falun Gong

The Ontario Superior Court directed the Bank of China to seize applicable assets from the Vice Consul General of China, Pan Xinchun's bank account for refusing to follow a court order to pay damages when he was found liable for defamation last February in an unprecedented case.

On Feb 3rd, 2004, Justice Spiegel of the Ontario Superior Court decided that Pan could not claim immunity and agreed that he, "acted maliciously and outside of his consular functions," when he defamed local Falun Gong practitioner Joel Chipkar as being a member of a "sinister cult" in the Toronto Star back on April 25th 2003. Pan was ordered to pay $10,000 for Chipkar's legal fees and $1,000 symbolic fee for damages.

The Chinese government refused to accept the decision. Following the libel judgment, the Peoples Republic of China revealed in writing their attempts to pressure and threaten the Canadian government to influence the court system by stating, "This is an extremely serious issue with potential substantial consequences for the state relations between Canada and China." They also state they made, "several requests to the Department of Foreign Affairs to intervene in this proceeding" and that, "Neither it, nor Mr. Pan, are subjected to the jurisdiction of the Canadian courts and the PRC will not submit to the jurisdiction of the Canadian courts for any reason."

However, after Pan refused to pay the damages, the Ontario Superior Court issued a Notice of Garnishment against him on July 14th 2004. On the same day, Chipkar's law firm, Fasken Martineau, sent the notice to Pan's bank, the Chinese Government-owned Bank of China, to freeze his account.

David Chan, the VP - Chief Accountant and Compliance Officer at the Toronto branch of the Bank of China returned the Garnishee Statement on July 15 to Fasken Martineau indicating there was no funds available for seizure.

Upon further inquiry by Chipkar's lawfirm, on July 20th Chan stated that the bank no longer maintained the account. Due to current privacy laws, Mr. Chan said he was unable to provide any further details regarding the account.

Chipkar says: "This case is a matter of principle. Chinese officials here in Canada continue to incite hatred against Falun Gong practitioners to the Canadian government, media and the community. The PRC and its officials cannot violate Canadian laws and hurt Canadians with impunity and without accountability. This is not China."

After deliberating with his legal counsel this week, Chipkar says he plans to subpoena Pan to attend a judgment-debtor examination where Pan under oath, will be required to answer questions related to any assets he may hold and his failure to comply with the court order.

On July 25, 2004, nearly 2000 Falun Gong practitioners from around the world gathered in Boston and held a grand parade, hoping to allow more people to learn about Falun Gong. They called upon people from all walks of life to come together to stop Jiang group's persecution of Falun Gong and urged them to bring Jiang to justice.

The procession was led by practitioners joyfully dancing as dragon and lions. A procession of hundreds of practitioners demonstrated the five-set Falun Gong exercises. Practitioners also performed a graceful Tang Dynasty dance and fairy dance gave a folk waist drum performance. In addition, some practitioners also demonstrated part of the torture methods currently used against practitioners in China. Several dozen female practitioners wore white clothing and held wreaths in their hands to mourn for fellow practitioners who were tortured to death for not giving up their belief in Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance. Practitioners also unfurled banners that read, "Bring Jiang to Justice" and called for an end to the persecution.

One spectator said that he was from San Francisco. He often saw practitioners appealing in front of the Chinese Consulate. He was very happy to see so many Falun Gong practitioners marching. He said that after he went back to San Francisco, he would definitely go to the Chinese Consulate to visit practitioners there.

When practitioners marched through Chinatown, quite a few Chinese community leaders came to watch the parade. Some people kept praising the grand sight of the parade. Some said to practitioners, "You win glory for our Chinese people." Others asked what holiday this was and why it was so special. Some asked for truth-clarifying literature and talked with practitioners.

When practitioners holding banners reading, "Bring Jiang Zemin to Justice" passed by, some people said, "Jiang is indeed bad! After he took the power, he never did a good thing. He should be put on trial!"

While watching the parade, several senior citizens waved at the practitioners and said, "Falun Dafa is great!"

Since July 20, 2004, Falun Gong practitioners from around the world have been gathering in Washington DC to hold a series of activities including a public rally, parade and candlelight vigil to call for an end to the Jiang group's persecution against Falun Gong.

At noon on July 22, Falun Gong practitioners from around the world and other supporters held a rally with the theme of "Uncompromising Courage" on Capitol Hill. They called for stopping the Jiang group's state terrorism and called for an end to the persecution and killing of Falun Gong practitioners.

During the rally, US congress members as well as dignitaries from different circles and representatives of "Save the Kids in China" bicycle team made speeches. There were also singing and dancing performances. Los Angeles Falun Gong practitioners' dance, "Going to Tiananmen," expressed the scene of Falun Gong practitioners traveling to Tiananmen Square one after another to explain the truth about Falun Gong, and displayed Falun Gong practitioners' persistence in their belief and their uncompromising spirit while being persecuted.

Two Congressmen and representatives from eight non-governmental organizations attended the rally and made speeches.

Mr. Mark Palmer, vice chairman of "Freedom House" and representative of Friends of Falun Gong, Dr. Keith Roderick, Director of International Christian Association, Ms. Faith J.H. McDonnell, Director of Religious and Democratic Association, Congresswoman of Florida Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Representative of Pennsylvania Faith J.H. McDonnell, Executive President of "Freedom House," Ms. Jennifer L. Windsor, and the President of Jubilee Campaign USA, Ms. Ann Buwalda, came to attend the rally and made speeches to express their support.

Ms. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, a congresswoman from Florida said in her speech, "Our peaceful journey is arduous, but you have clearly displayed your uncompromising persistence and your inner strength--that inner strength obtained from your belief.... Today, we get together again to continue resisting persecution and killing against Falun Gong practitioners world-wide... I guarantee to continue my effort for Falun Gong until the persecution stops...."

Executive President Dan Fefferman of the International Religious Freedom Association sent a letter to express his support. He said, "China is the largest country concerning its population. But if it really wants to become a great nation, China must follow basic human rights. If China continues suppressing Falun Gong or other organizations that practice their beliefs, China's development will be seriously hindered."

Artist Mr. Mark Jenkins exhibited the torture props he made. He said that he saw Falun Gong practitioners' practice the exercises outside the Chinese Consulate three years ago, and he was deeply moved. Several days ago, he saw Falun Gong practitioners' anti-torture exhibit, and he had an idea to make props. He said the persecution is really inconceivable.

After the rally, Falun Gong practitioners set off from the west lawn of Capitol Hill, and paraded to the front of the White House. Almost every practitioner held a banner or display board, with the words, "Falun Dafa is Good," "Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance," "Stop the Persecution," "Bring Jiang to Justice" and "Stop Jiang's Group's Extending State Terrorism," and other words.

A group of young women in white holding handmade lotuses walked at the front of the parade. There were also two large wreathes, one was imprinted with one word, "Mourn," the other contained photos of some practitioners who have died from the persecution. There was also a very large monument engraved with names of practitioners who have died.

In the middle of the procession was a vehicle on which torture methods that Falun Gong practitioners in China suffer were reenacted.

Falun Gong practitioner Mr. Sun said, "I came here just to call upon governments, groups and kind people to work together with us to stop the suppression and persecution of Falun Gong in China, and stop the Jiang group from extending state terrorism and various kinds of attacks and harassment of Falun Gong practitioners overseas."

Beside the rally site, practitioners held a live torture exhibit, which exposed atrocities taking place in Chinese mental hospitals, being hung up with handcuffs, tiger bench, hammering bamboo sticks into fingers, dead person's bed, being hung upside down, being tied up and being locked in a small metal cage.

According to Falun Gong practitioners' introduction, the anti-torture exhibit has been displayed in several places in Washington DC for several days.

Falun Gong practitioners expressed that no matter what lies the Jiang group fabricates in China, people who have learned the truth will not be deceived. The suppression that is based on the malicious lies will collapse of itself with the exposure of the lies. People will condemn Jiang's atrocities, and Jiang and his followers will be held accountable for their persecution of Falun Gong.

Chris Van Hollen
Member of Congress
8^th District, Maryland

This Citation Is Presented To

In support and Recognition

Of your efforts to end the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China and around the world. I commend your Great Wall of Courage and Persecution Meets Principle art exhibit. May your bravery and courage give you strength in the face of adversity.

Chris Van Hollen
Member of Congress

On This Day
July Twenty-Second, Two Thousand and Four

Press Release

WASHINGTON, DC, July 29, 2004 -U.S. delegates to this weekend's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting in Singapore should pressure China to grant full religious liberty to its citizens, Freedom House's Center for Religious Freedom said today.

Non-official Chinese churches and practitioners of Falun Gong are particularly persecuted by Chinese authorities. "Religious persecution is on the upswing in China," said Center for Religious Freedom director Nina Shea. "It is imperative that the U.S. delegation to APEC make clear to their Chinese counterparts that restrictions on religious freedom are intolerable."

Draconian measures have been taken against practitioners of Falun Gong, A peaceful spiritual movement founded in China that promotes meditation and physical exercises. In 1999, the government outlawed the movement, which has at least 100 million members. Hundreds of thousands of members have since been detained, and approximately 100,000 are estimated to have been sent to labor camps. At least 1,000 members have been killed in custody, according to the Falun Dafa Information Center, which monitors Chinese repression of Falun Gong.

According to a recent survey conducted by Forum 18, a Norwegian religious news service, the Chinese government blocks access to Internet sites related to Falun Gong, Protestant house churches, and major Protestant and Catholic organizations, including the Vatican.

The U.S. State Department has named China a country of particular Concern (CPC) for "systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations" of religious freedom.

China is human rights violator number one -- We call for the freedom of Mrs. Xu Youling

Today, Karl Hafen, Chief Executive Officer of the International Society for Human Rights (ISHR) stated to the press in Frankfurt, "Now, also in Hong Kong, where until now Falun Gong practitioner were saved from the persecution, there are signs of mounting problems."

On the occasion of the fifth anniversary of the persecution, ISHR and Yan Chen, a student residing in Germany, appealed to the Beijing leadership to release Mrs. Xu Youling from forced labor camp. In April of 2003, Beijing police arrested the Falun Gong practitioner, because of distributing informational material about the persecution of Falun Gong. She was sentenced to two years of re-education through hard labor. Mrs. Xu Youling is presently held at Beijing's Daxing Forced Labor Camp. Her son, a student in Germany, announced, "Thousands of Falun Gong practitioners suffer from torture in the PRC and many have died from the most inhuman and cruelest of tortures. Even under the dictatorship, which scorns human rights, my mother had the courage to tell the truth of the Falun Gong persecution to the public. She deserves respect and under no circumstances torture. I will do everything in my power to save my mother's life."

On July 20, 1999, in a cloak and dagger operation, hundreds of Falun Gong practitioners were arrested. On June 4, 1999, just a short time earlier, the Chinese regime, on the tenth anniversary of the suppression of the Democracy Movement, maintained that they saw no reason to restrict Falun Gong. On July 22, two days after the unlawful arrests, Jiang Zemin, the former President, banned Falun Gong, citing a party decree. On October 1999, although freedom of belief is guaranteed under the Chinese Constitution, the Chinese Parliament enacted an amendment to the existing law, under which the ban of Falun Gong is given the semblance of legality.

The ISHR asks the Federal Government and the governments of the EU countries to commit themselves to the immediate end to the persecution of Falun Gong. Karl Hafen referred to the most recent declaration by the President of the Federal Republic, Horst Koehler, during a reception for members of the resistance movement during the Third Reich. He declared that the tribute to resistance obligates Germany to act according to the words in the German National Anthem, "For Constitutional Rights and Freedom." Hafen continued, "This is especially true for the People's Republic of China, which is the world's number one human rights violator."

Libby Davies, MP
Vancouver East

July 20^th, 2004

The Hon. Pierre Pettigrew
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Room 507 Confederation Building
House of Commons
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6

Dear Minister,

I am writing to express my concerns with a recent shooting of a Falun Gong practitioner in South Africa. David Liang and fellow Falun Gong practitioners traveled to South Africa in July to protest a visit by Chinese Vice-President Zeng Qinghong and Commerce Minister Bo Xilai. Their aim was to raise awareness about Chinese government's human rights abuses directed at Falun Gong practitioners. On their way to Pretoria their vehicle came under fire and Mr. Liang was shot in the foot. The car sped away before the attackers could be identified but many believe that the Chinese government was involved in the shooting.

In addition, practitioners living in Canada allege they face a continuous campaign of hate propaganda by Chinese embassy and consulates. Their claims of harassment, phone tapings and personal attacks have not received the attention from the Canadian government that these types of intimidation tactics merit.

I strongly urge your department to speak out against the action of the Chinese government and their officials here in Canada and pressure the Chinese government to investigate the allegations surrounding Mr. Liang's attack.

Your immediate attention to this matter is greatly appreciated. I look forward to your response on this matter.

Sincerely,

Libby Davies, MP
Vancouver East

On the afternoon of July 29, 2003, the Baoding Forced Labor Camp in Hebei Province carried out a so-called "test" for Falun Gong practitioners. Many guards grabbed wooden bats and electric batons to carry out this "examination." The exam questions were created to slander Falun Gong. When Falun Gong practitioners answered questions, if they did not answer with the stipulated "standard" answers, the guards used the electric batons to threaten them to revise their answers. If one did not revise their answer, the guards would use electric batons to shock him or wooden bats to beat their abdomen and chest. At that time, Ma Xinshun and over ten other Falun Gong practitioners were beaten.

On the afternoon of July 30, the guards called Mr. Ma Xinshun to the office and forced him to say that Falun Gong was not good. He firmly refused to do so. Then, seven guards swarmed over him and beat him. Two of them picked him up and beat his chest and lower abdomen with wooden bats and electric batons. As a result, his whole body was severely injured.

Guard Zhang Qian tied up Falun Gong practitioner Bian Liangjing with a thin rope. After tying him up tightly, he inserted a beverage bottle underneath the rope, which caused the rope to cut into his flesh. Mr. Bian's blood turned the rope red. The guards took off all of Mr. Bian's clothes and shocked him with two electric batons. They shocked the tip of his penis and his anus, which caused him extreme difficulty in relieving himself. The tip of his penis was nearly burnt off from being severely electrically shocked. Even now, the wound is still there. In order to cover up their crimes, the guards in Baoding Forced Labor Camp sent Mr. Bian into the guard chamber when higher authorities inspected the place. They did not allow other people to contact him. They did not allow him to eat meals in the cafeteria. They were afraid of exposure of their heinous acts of persecution. When guard Zhang Qian shocked people with electric batons, he laughed crazily and completely abandoned any semblance of human nature.

Falun Gong practitioner Mr. Jiang Yong was 46 years old, and lived in N0. 10 Commune of Guangming Village, Xingfu Township, Changchun City, Jilin Province. He was tortured to death on July 4, 2004.

Jiang Yong started cultivating Falun Dafa in 1996. After Jiang and his regime began persecuting Falun Dafa on July 20, 1999, Mr. Jiang was abducted, detained, and sent to labor camp multiple times because he firmly held his faith in "Truthfulness, Compassion, and Tolerance." In five years, he was brutally tortured, and became homeless in order to avoid being arrested at home. The perpetrators even sent his non-practitioner wife to labor camp for one year.

On April 13, 2004, Jiang Yong was abducted along with several fellow practitioners by State Security Police in Changchun City. He was inhumanly tortured, and then sent to Tiebei Detention Center. His injuries from the torture were so severe that he was sent to Changchun Police Hospital on April 22, 2004. He was sent back to Tiebei Detention Center on May 26. His family's many requests to visit him were denied. On July 4, 2004, Jiang Yong died as a result of the torture and abuse he suffered at the hands of police.

According to those who saw his dead body, there were rope marks on his neck, and many dark bruises on his chest and upper back. His eyes were wide open, and blood oozed out of his mouth when his body was touched. Some tissues were placed under his rectum. Police were frantically stopping people from taking photos of his body, and even beat his family members.

The lawless officials in Tiebei Detention Center feared their crime being exposed. In order to avoid responsibility for his death, they tried to cover up the truth and lied to his family members, saying that he had died of sudden sickness.

Mr. Jiang Yong was a very strong man, about 5' 10", and very muscular. He never got sick after he began to practice Falun Dafa, and was known by those close to him as "Iron Man." Yet, such a healthy man was tortured to death in less than 3 months.

The day after his death, his body was treated, the blood in his mouth was cleaned, and the bruises were covered. There were bottles of alcohol, cotton balls, etc. all over the room. The city police had destroyed the evidence to cover their crime.

By Xu Dong, a resident in Kitchener, Canada

I am a Chinese citizen and a permanent Canadian resident, living in the City of Kitchener in Ontario, Canada. On December 27, 2002, I went to the Chinese Consulate in Toronto to renew my passport.

When I submitted the renewal form, the clerk in the consulate told me to come back and pick it up in a week. Because of the distance between the two cities and the transport inconvenience, I asked a practitioner living in Toronto to pick it up for me in due time. When the practitioner went to the consulate for me, however, the officer in the consulate mistakenly thought he was me and interviewed him inside. After they learned he wasn't the applicant, the Chinese Consulate in Toronto requested to interview me in person.

On the morning of January 7, 2003 I arrived at the consulate. Two middle-aged officials met with me. Their first question was, "Are you a Falun Gong practitioner? Do you still practice Falun Gong?"

I answered, "Yes."

Then I asked them, "How do you know I am a Falun Gong practitioner?"

They went into an equivocation and said that the network was very advanced nowadays.

They then said, "[According to our observation] we seldom see you practicing the exercises or handing out information in front of the consulate."

I said to them, "That's right. Because I don't live in Toronto."

They said, "Your practicing the exercises and distributing information in front of the consulate are damaging China's image."

I said, "We wouldn't have come to practice the exercises and clarify the truth in front of the consulate if there were no persecution of Falun Gong."

Throughout the conversation I remained peaceful and calm, but my attitude was firm. The two officials did not say anything further to me. They just told me, "We cannot renew your passport, because this is the policy from home. It is not permitted to renew passports for Falun Gong practitioners."

I told them, "Perhaps you are not aware yet that at home, the authorities are sending representatives to make contact with Falun Gong, hoping to resolve the Falun Gong issue peacefully. I think you know what this means. And I think you should have known a lot of facts about Falun Gong."

One of them seemed very surprised, but the other quickly changed the subject. In the end I asked them, "When can I come back to renew my passport?" They told me vaguely, "Maybe next year."

The whole interview process took over twenty minutes. They returned my passport afterwards. When I checked it I found that they had originally put a renewal stamp on my passport, extending it to 2008 , but perhaps later on when they found my name on the Falun Gong practitioners' blacklist, they over-stamped "Canceled" on top of it.

After I returned, I sent a letter via certified mail to the Chinese Consulate in Toronto twice, to ask for a written explanation about their refusal to renew my passport, but I did not get any reply. Concurrently, I sought help from my parliamentary member's office. They have sent faxes to the Chinese Consulate twice, inquiring about the reason for the refusal of my passport renewal and didn't get any reply, either. The parliamentary member gave the original fax document to me later on.

So far, my passport is still not renewed.

According to data obtained from the Clearwisdom website, in the first half-year of 2004, 165 cases of Falun Dafa practitioners dying as a result of persecution were confirmed through nongovernmental channels. Among these cases, 75 practitioners were tortured to death. In total, from July 20, 1999, when Jiang Zemin's and his followers started to brazenly persecute Falun Dafa, to June 30, 2004, 998 Falun Dafa practitioners are confirmed to have died as a result of persecution.

These 165 cases in 2004 of Falun Dafa practitioners dying as a result of persecution were distributed over 25 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities in Mainland China, below are some examples:

Heilongjiang, Jilin, Hebei, Liaoning, Shandong, Sichuan, Beijing, Tianjin, Shanghai, Chongqing, Hunan, Hubei, Shanxi, Henan, Jiangsu, Zhejian, Anhui, Gansu, Guizhou, Guangdong, Fujian, Hainan, Neimenggu and Xinjiang.

Among them, Heilongjiang (24 cases), Jilin (19 cases), Hebei (19 cases), Liaoning (18 cases), Shandong (15 cases) and Sichuan (14 cases) are the provinces where the persecution was most severe. The 75 people who were tortured to death constitute 45% of the verified 165 cases.

In June 2004 alone, 26 cases of Falun Dafa practitioners dying as a result of persecution were verified through nongovernmental channels. 17 of these were practitioners who firmly persisted in continuing their cultivation practice and belief in Falun Gong and as a result were tortured to death for holding that belief. This year in 2004, five of these practitioners recently were reported as having died in June.

The 26 cases of practitioners who were tortured to death were distributed over 13 provinces and municipalities: Hebei (4); Heilongjiang (4); Jilin (3); Liaoning (2); Shandong (2); Beijing (2); Sichuan (1); Guangdong (1); Hubei (1); Hunan (1); Anhui (1); Zhejiang (1); and Hainan (1).

Among these, the oldest was Zhang Shouxin, who was 70 years old and lived in Dahe Village, Hongqi Town, Qitaihe City, Heilongjiang Province. The youngest was Liu Xiaodong, who was 32 years old and a former employee of the Hailun City Country Credit Union in Heilongjiang Province. Thirteen of these people were older than 50, which accounts for 50% of the group and 12 were women, which accounts for 46%.

In the 26 cases of practitioners who died as a result of persecution, incidents of both physical and mental torture were very common. Falun Dafa practitioners commonly suffered from all kinds of beatings, brutal torture, brainwashing and financial extortion. They experienced the brutal persecution conducted by detention centers, forced labor camps, jails, mental hospitals, brainwashing centers, local police stations and the "610 Office" in order to force them to give up their belief of "Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance".

Among the 26 practitioners, most died as a result of persecution at various sites. One practitioner died after he was falsely detained in a mental hospital, where he was forcibly injected with harmful medication and experienced mental torture that drove him to a mental collapse. Beatings and brutal torture directly resulted in five practitioners' deaths.

In July 2002, the World Psychiatric Association published a 300-page report detailing the Chinese government's abuse of psychiatry. It also stated that not only political dissidents but also Falun Gong practitioners are sent to mental hospitals. In August 2002, Human Rights Watch and the Geneva Psychiatric Treatment Committee jointly released a detailed report of psychiatric abuse in China. They indicated in the report that China's diagnosis of Falun Gong practitioners who are firm in their belief as "mentally ill" violates international standards of psychiatric analysis.

Over the past five years, psychiatric abuse has become one of the most commonly used tortures for Falun Gong practitioners. Following Jiang's secret order, "All deaths should be counted as suicides;" "Cremate Falun Gong practitioners' bodies without investigating their identities," the attending doctors and police officers took part in such psychiatric abuse against their conscience.

In many labor camps, or their affiliated hospitals and clinics, doctors and police officers, in violation of their professional oaths and ethics have injected or force-fed healthy Falun Gong practitioners with large-doses of drugs that damage their central nervous system, or they covertly put such drugs into the practitioners' food. They also send healthy practitioners to mental hospitals where the practitioners are forcibly given oral or injected drugs. As a result, some practitioners have suffered partial or complete paralysis, some have lost their eyesight and hearing, others have sustained muscle atrophy and organ deterioration; several have suffered partial or complete memory loss and brain damage; various practitioners suffered mental breakdowns and some died from severe drug reactions.

We need to point out in particular that these perpetrators are completely aware of the serious consequences of their actions. In order to avoid taking responsibility, they release some practitioners who are on the brink of death from these drugs or are severely disabled. After returning home, several of these practitioners died from organ failure, and a few committed self-destructive acts or did things to hurt other people as a result of the mental trauma they were subjected to while detained.

In early May 2004, China Mental Health Watch and the World Organization to Investigate the Persecution of Falun Gong investigated the Jiang group's psychiatric abuse of Falun Gong practitioners. The results show that in the past five years of persecution, psychiatric abuse of Falun Gong practitioners took place in 23 provinces, cities and autonomic regions. At least 100 provincial, city, county and district mental hospitals took part in this persecution. The persecution is planned, is systematic and permeates all levels of governments. So far, at least 1,000 healthy Falun Gong practitioners were injected with central nervous system damaging drugs and were tortured with ropes and electric batons. At least 15 practitioners were tortured to death.

Former Chinese Minister of Education and current State Council member Chen Zhili was served with legal papers by Falun Gong practitioners during her visit to Tanzania. Chen Zhili was summoned to appear before the court. The following is a translation of RFA special correspondent CK's report on August 2.

On July 30, a group of international attorneys representing Falun Gong practitioners announced that a lawsuit was filed against Chen Zhili in the African country of Tanzania.

Falun Gong practitioner Duan Li from San Francisco is a member of a legal group composed of Falun Gong practitioners from various countries. Ms. Duan told this reporter: Falun Gong practitioners entrusted international human rights attorneys to file a lawsuit against former China's Minister of Education and current State Councilor Chen Zhili for torture and extra judicial killing. At the same time, she utilized the Chinese education system to indoctrinate teachers and students against Falun Gong. On July 19, we filed legal papers in the Capital of Tanzania.

After her state-visit to South Africa and Zimbabwe as China's State Councilor, Chen Zhili started her four-day visit to Tanzania on July 17. What was most remarkable was that before Chen Zhili left Tanzania, she was summoned by the court and she appeared before the court.

Ms. Duan Li said that Chen Zhili was the first (Chinese official) summoned to appear before the court in reference to the case and therefore she believed that this was really historically significant.

Between 1998 and 2002, Chen Zhili was China's Minister of Education. She is currently a State Councilor in charge of culture and education. The persecution of Falun Gong has been especially fierce and cruel in China's education system. The Massachusetts-based "World Organization to Investigate the Persecution of Falun Gong" (WOIPFG) released its investigation report against Chen Zhili March this year.

During a telephone interview, the organization's spokesperson Mr. Wang Zhiyuan said that when Chen Zhili was the Education Minister, she launched a campaign throughout China's education system to suppress Falun Gong. For instance, when students take examinations to enter a higher school, the entrance exams included questions defaming Falun Gong. Students are forced to answer those questions against their will. If they don't, they lose their qualification to enter a higher school. According to available information, in just 2003, at least 435 Falun Gong practitioners from 210 China's colleges or universities were sent to labor camps or psychiatric hospitals. Over the past few years, 61 are known to have died as a result of the persecution. It is natural that Falun Gong practitioners filed a lawsuit against Chen Zhili.

Tanzania that accepted this case is located at east Africa. It implements an independent jurisdiction system of a democratic country. Before Chen Zhili, at least 10 Chinese government officials including former Chinese President Jiang Zemin were sued by Falun Gong practitioners in the U.S., Canada and some European countries.

The above is reported by special correspondent CK.

Voice of America reported on July 29, 2004 that a Canadian court ordered the garnishment of a Chinese diplomat's assets to pay for legal fees and damages in a defamation case brought against him.

The report stated that in the case involving the Chinese Deputy Consul General in Toronto, Pan Xinchun, the Ontario Supreme Court last week issued a garnishee order against Pan Xinchun's personal assets in the amount of $11,000, to pay for damages and legal fees in a defamation case brought against him by Toronto resident Joel Chipkar.

Regarding the cause and effect of the case, the report stated that last April, Pan Xinchun wrote a letter to a Canadian newspaper, the Toronto Star, accusing Falun Gong of being a [slanderous words omitted] and accusing Chipkar of attacking the Chinese government with lies and damaging the relations between Canada and China.

Prior to this, Chipkar, in a feature letter in the Toronto Star, once accused the Chinese authorities of covering up the SARS epidemic, and also of covering up their persecution of human rights and the suppression of Falun Gong.

Chipkar therefore filed a suit in the court, accusing Pan Xinchun of defamation and inciting hatred. The Ontario Supreme Court found Pan Xinchun guilty of libel this February and ordered Pan Xinchun to pay Chipkar $1,000 as a symbolic fee for damages and $10,000 for legal fees.

The report also states that Mr. Chipkar expressed on Thursday to VOA that the purpose for suing Pan Xinchun is to warn Chinese diplomats not to incite hatred in Canada.

The report cited Chipkar as saying, "It's not about the money. It's about the

principle of stopping these people from attacking people here in Canada. "

The VOA report states that Pan Xinchun had never appeared in court during the court's proceeding. His lawyer once submitted a statement to the court from the Chinese Government, expressing that Pan Xinchun, as a diplomat, enjoys diplomatic immunity, and therefore refused to accept the court's judgment.

But the judge expressed in the verdict that Pan Xinchun personally wrote a letter to the Toronto Star, and therefore he could not enjoy diplomatic immunity. As Pan Xinchun was stalling on paying the damages to Chipkar, acting upon the request of Chipkar, the judge issued an order to garnishee $11,000 from Pan Xinchun's personal bank account.

Chipkar said, "Pan Xinchun must respect the Canadian court's decision. The court has explained that he cannot claim diplomatic immunity in this case."

VOA cited a report from The Globe and Mail that Chinese authorities requested the Canadian Government to intervene in the case and clarify Canada's position on consular immunity; otherwise, it would damage the relations between Canada and China. A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs in Canada expressed Wednesday that it is a Chinese diplomat's function to obey the Canadian law.

The spokesperson said, "According to Provision No. 55 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations regarding consular officials, all consular officials must respect the laws of the countries in which they are staying, but cannot intervene with the internal affairs of the countries."

The spokesperson also said, "Over the past two years, we have repeatedly reminded the Chinese Embassy in Canada that it is unacceptable for them to intervene with Canada's internal affairs."

The plaintiff of the case, Mr. Chipkar expressed that as there was no way to garnishee Pan Xinchun's assets, he requested the court to subpoena Pan Xinchun to attend a judgment-debtor examination.

Chinese deputy consul-general under fire over defamation of Falun Gong supporter

By CHRIS LACKNER

An Ontario court has filed a notice to seize the personal assets of a Chinese diplomat found liable for defaming a Canadian Falun Gong practitioner.

The Ontario Superior Court ruled in February that Pan Xinchun, the Chinese deputy consul-general in Toronto, defamed Falun Gong supporter Joel Chipkar in a letter that appeared April 25, 2003, in the Toronto Star.

Mr. Pan's letter was a response to an earlier letter by Mr. Chipkar that berated the Canadian government for not condemning China's alleged political corruption and human-rights abuses.

Acting on the request of Mr. Chipkar and his lawyer, the Ontario Superior Court issued a Notice of Garnishment against Mr. Pan on July 14. Garnishment allows creditors to secure outstanding debts without a debtor's direct co-operation, through a debtor's financial institution or employer, for example.

"This is not about the money, it's about the principle... It's about accountability and visiting officials here not being able to attack Canadians with impunity," Mr. Chipkar said.

At the February ruling, the presiding judge concluded that Mr. Pan was not acting in his official capacity when he made statements about Mr. Chipkar and was therefore not protected by diplomatic immunity. Mr. Pan did not attend in his defence. The judge awarded Mr. Chipkar $1,000 for the defamation and compensation for his legal fees that amounted to $10,000.

"The immunity of consulate officials -- who are not full diplomats -- is subject to limits within the law," said Peter Downard, Mr. Chipkar's lawyer.

Attempts to access funds in Mr. Pan's personal account at the Bank of China, which is owned by the Chinese government, have been unsuccessful, Mr. Downard said. He added that the bank's Toronto branch informed him there was no money in Mr. Pan's account.

[...]

Inquiries made yesterday to both the Chinese Consulate-General in Toronto and Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg were met with no response.

Mr. Downard said his client could serve Mr. Pan notice to attend a judgment-debtor examination to explain his lack of payment and disclose any assets he may hold.

According to its post-ruling statement, China made numerous unsuccessful requests to the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade to intervene in the case and clarify Canada's position on consular immunity. "This is an extremely serious issue . . . with potential substantial consequences for the state of relations between Canada and China."

According to World Journal's report on July 28, the Chinese government's (Jiang's group's) ban on Falun Gong has lasted five years. Several thousands Falun Gong practitioners throughout the world gathered in Washington DC to hold mass activities to call upon the world to continue pressure the Chinese government.

On July 23, more than 3,000 Falun Gong practitioners dressed in yellow T-shirts and holding banners with the words "Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance" and posters against the persecution lined up along Connecticut Avenue in Washington DC to form a 3-kilometer-long "Great Wall of Courage". The ending point was the Tiananmen Memorial Park in front of the Chinese Embassy. Connecticut Avenue is one of the major streets in Washington DC. From downtown to Dupont Circle, the "Great Wall" drew great attention from people walking and driving by.

The several day's activities also included a grand exhibition of the torture methods utilized by (Jiang's group) to suppress Falun Gong in front of the Lincoln Memorial, rally and parade in front of the Capitol Hill. The "Kindle a candle" candlelight vigil on the evening of July 23 in front of the Lincoln Memorial pushed the activities to a climax.

At the peaceful protest on the west lawn of Capitol Hill, practitioners practiced the exercises while listening to speeches given by American people from different circles in support of Falun Gong.

The protest coordinator Mr. Xiang Dong pointed out that this rally was to introduce Falun Gong's peaceful spirit and form of cultivation, as well as to call upon the international community to help stop Chinese government's (Jiang's group's) suppression of Falun Gong.

Li Jinning coordinated the "Kindle a Candle" candlelight vigil in front of the Lincoln Memorial. He expressed in the drizzle and candlelight that lighting up a candle was to commemorate the Falun Gong practitioners who have died from the persecution over the past five years for upholding justice and conscience in the human world. He also wished that those who persisted in "freedom of expression" would also kindle a candle no matter where they were so as to awaken people's morality and conscience.

According to Voice of America's report on July 23, Falun Gong practitioners from all over the world held a "Great Wall of Courage" activity in Washington DC to protest the Jiang group's five-year persecution of Falun Gong. They called upon the Chinese government to stop the persecution.

• Let more people learn about Falun Gong

The report said that practitioners from across the U.S. and other countries gathered in Washington DC. Practitioners wearing yellow T-shirts could be seen everywhere on the 3-kilometer-long street from the World War II Memorial to the Chinese Embassy. They lined up to build a "Great Wall" and held banners and posters, hoping to allow more people to learn about the situation of Falun Gong in China and urge the Chinese government to stop the persecution of Falun Gong.

The protesting Falun Gong practitioners included the young and old, male and female, from different races started appearing on the street around noon. Many are from west coast, Canada and other countries. Their protest was silent and completely depended on visualization. Many banners and signs appeared on the grass in front of the Chinese Embassy, some promoting Falun Gong, some directly targeting the former Chinese President Jiang Zemin.

• The Great Wall of Courage embodies Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance

According to the report, Washington DC Falun Gong spokesperson Ms. Amy Xue, who was organizing practitioners to line up, said to a reporter that this activity was to further embody Falun Gong's three tenets: Truthfulness, Compassion and Tolerance. She said, "The Chinese government fabricated many lies against us but we follow 'Truthfulness'. They described us as monsters and freaks who either murder others or commit suicide, but we could never do those things at all. We want to tell the facts to the society and to the world. This is truthful. As for 'compassion', we want those who persecute us and those who are deceived to stop their evildoings. These are our compassionate acts. For 'tolerance', we are peaceful. We have no slogans and no violent actions. We only try to speak for the persecuted: stop the persecution. Therefore, our actions are completely in accordance with principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance."

Ms. Zou Bin, who came from afar with her 7-year-old son, firmly believes in Falun Gong. She said, "I came from Los Angeles to attend these activities. I participated in the parade yesterday and today I'm helping to build this 'Great Wall of Courage.' The only purpose is to allow more people to be aware of this suppression in China that should not have happened and is not justified on the basis of the law."

Ms. Zou Bin started reading Falun Gong books in 1999. She and her son distributed Falun Gong booklets. She firmly believes in the founder of Falun Gong, Mr. Li Hongzhi and considers him perfect.

• Protesters not limited to Chinese

Westerners from all over the world also took part in this activity. According to the report, the organizers estimated that about 3,000 people attended this activity and they are not limited to Chinese people. Practitioners of different nationalities and races participated. Ms. Sophia from Canada is one who extremely esteems Falun Gong. She said that Falun Gong is profound and allows people to obtain good health and improve their character. She said that the purpose of her participation was to hope the Chinese government would stop the genocide, stop the persecution of practitioners inside and outside China.

This reporter saw the painting held in her hands which depicted the torture methods (used against practitioners) and asked her about the sources of the persecution news. Sophia said, "Amnesty International and many other human rights organizations all help us to collect related information. Some is from China. All related information has been recorded in detail and collected by the United Nations and other respected international institutions."

• Persevering at their post despite the rain, while the Chinese Embassy remained tightly shut

The report said that a shower drove passersby away but Falun Gong practitioners still stood there. By the time this reporter finished his report, Falun Gong's "Great Wall of Courage" activity was still going on. The Chinese Embassy was tightly shut all along. In order to get a response from the Chinese government, this reporter phoned the Chinese Embassy's main switchboard, news department and political department, but no one answered the phone.

Starting at 7 pm, Falun Gong practitioners held a candlelight vigil in front of the Lincoln Memorial.

By a Falun Gong practitioner in Henan Province , China

I am a 36-year-old farmer, with a family of four, including my son and daughter. My parents started practicing Falun Gong in 1996. At first I didn't really believe in it. Nevertheless, due to my respect for my elders, I didn't oppose them. I just chuckled when I saw them practicing and reading the books. However, a recent occurrence completely changed my understanding of Falun Gong.

2001 was a disastrous year for me. Four growths were found in my wife's breast. The doctor diagnosed them to be malignant tumors. I couldn't believe this sudden change of fate. What could I do? What if my spouse passes away, how could I live without her? Our children would lose their mother, which would be devastating for them. I lost a lot of sleep over this and started the difficult path of searching for methods to cure her. Three years passed and nothing had been effective. We spent over 30,000 Yuan (1) from 2001 to February 2004 searching for a cure. Despite our efforts, her condition did not improve.

This April was especially trying; the doctor's advice struck me like lightening. He said that there was no chance of recovery, and that we should prepare for her departure. I don't know how I managed to return home after hearing this news.

I was extremely distraught when I returned home and didn't even taste the food I was eating. I was in deep sorrow, having to face my two children and my elderly mother. At that moment, when I had nowhere to go, my mother said, "Why not let her try Falun Gong." I woke up as if from a dream. My wife was in pain at that time and couldn't even move in bed, but her mind was still clear. She decided to try Falun Gong practice, with the hope that it would save her life.

In the beginning, my mother talked to her about the basic principles of Falun Gong, "Truthfulness, Compassion, and Tolerance." She taught her to do the exercises, while in bed. After two days, a miracle occurred. Previously she could not stretch her right arm all the way up, now she could. For the first time, she was feeling better than she had before. We were overjoyed. In addition to supporting my wife's Falun Gong practice, I started practicing myself. Even our children practiced after they came home from school.

During the following two months, my wife read Zhuan Falun, written by Teacher Li Hongzhi, and listened to his lectures. She continued practicing everyday. Now, all the symptoms of the sickness are gone, and she eats normally. I want to tell other people, "It was Teacher Li Hongzhi's Falun Gong that gave my wife a new life. Falun Gong is wonderful!"

One day after dinner, my wife said to me, "If we had known that Falun Gong was so wonderful, we would not have wasted all that money." I said, "Through this experience, we can further see the miraculous effects of Falun Gong! The truth speaks the loudest." She nodded in agreement.

I am a new practitioner. I follow Falun Dafa's principles of "Truthfulness, Compassion, and Tolerance," and I will tell people and fellow practitioners what happened to us. I hope that more people will learn the truth about Falun Gong and benefit from it. I hope that they will not be fooled by Jiang's evil lies and propaganda. I also hope that they will learn that Falun Gong is wonderful. Remember, Falun Gong is wonderful!

An official from a city in northeastern China returned from abroad and visited Tiananmen Square while passing through Beijing. On top of a tower in Tiananmen Square, two policemen demanded that he slander Falun Gong. He replied, "Why should I say that Falun Gong is not good? Do you mean that if you say it is not good, then it is not good?" The policemen assumed he was a Dafa practitioner and took him to a small room in a building in front of Tiananmen Square. More than ten people who went abroad together with him followed him.

In that small room, the policemen tried to force him to say slanderous words about Falun Gong and threatened him. However, he wasn't afraid at all and severely reprimanded the two policemen instead. He told them, "Beijing is the capital of China, and Tiananmen Square is a place that all people revere. But you pull out tourists and pedestrians and order them to curse, and make such unreasonable demands. You bring disgrace to our country. You should remember that the uniforms you wear at Tiananmen Square signify that you are to maintain social order, not vent your shameless behavior." In the end, the two policemen apologized to him.

After he went home, this official told his sister (a Falun Gong practitioner) what happened in Tiananmen Square. His sister was glad to hear the news and gave him some more truth-clarification materials that some Falun Gong practitioners had prepared. He did even better after he realized the truth. Because of his kindness and honesty, this official gained the respect of his colleagues and relatives. The effect of his explaining the facts about Falun Gong was very good. One elderly official used to have some misunderstandings about Falun Gong. After the facts were explained to him, he said, "Now I truly understand that Falun Gong is very good. My wife and I will keep in mind that 'Falun Gong is good,' and that 'Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance is good!'"

A few days ago, a policeman from Chishan Prison in Hunan province wrote to Minghui Net to expose how staff in the prison torture Falun Gong practitioners cruelly behind the scenes. In his letter, he said frankly, "I have been in contact with these practitioners for a few years. In the past, I also had misunderstandings about them and I even participated in the persecution. However, as time goes by, I see hope and a bright future in them. ... As a policeman serving the interest of the people, if I do not step forward to say a few words to uphold justice, I would indeed have a guilty conscience."

The following is a direct statement from this policeman about what he has witnessed in the prison:

(I will reveal all the persecution details when the opportunity arises)

Zeng Haiqi was sent to the "Strictly Controlled Division" on March 1, 2004. In the first several days, the jailors forced his body into the shape of a cross on several occasions. On the basis of that, the jailors forcibly pulled his legs straight out from both sides. Zeng's legs were crippled after a few times of such torture. He was unable to walk for more than 10 days; but he was still the target of electric shock and the jailors continued to cuff his two hands and hang him up during those days.

They cuffed Zeng Haiqi's hands and hung him up in the air, with his toes barely touching the ground. He was hung like this for 18 hours each day. His legs were already crippled, yet he was still hung like this for long periods of time. He suffered extreme pain and agony. Sometimes, the jailors would cuff his hands behind his back and hang him from his hands to the window. Then, they would lift up his legs and affix them to a high chair so that his entire body weight was pressed onto the cuffed hands. It was excruciatingly painful. The jailors tortured him day in and day out. It was way too horrible and cruel.

Zeng Haiqi didn't renounce his belief; he would not obey their orders to squat, to answer roll call, to do physical exercises or to wear a prisoner's uniform. The jailors then took a more brutal approach to persecute him. They developed a variety of new torture methods. For example, in addition to "carrying a sword on the back," the police then tied a rope to the cuffs and hung him up in the air to the metal ring on a big tree. Each time he would be hung for hours, and once he was hung like this for a whole day.

One of the guards, Deng Yingfeng, ordered prisoners (who also work for the prison) to use all kinds of cruel methods to torture Zeng. At the same time Deng ordered them "not to disable him," but to torture him slowly and to use torture instruments that would not leave much visible evidence. They were afraid that their crime would be exposed later.

In the first month of Zeng's imprisonment there, he was given half a bowl of rice for each meal. Later he was given only a thin layer of rice (about 15 grams) and a tiny amount of vegetables each time.

In the later two months, all his clothes were confiscated, and he was forced to wear the prisoners' uniform and to work or to be "cuffed and hung up" naked.

In mid-May, Zi Wei, deputy director of the prison, criticized Zeng Xianbao and Deng Yingfeng at a meeting, saying that their approaches were not effective enough to subdue Zeng Haiqi. After Deng came back from the meeting, he poured out a stream of abuse onto Zeng Haiqi.

During the last half month of Zeng Haiqi's imprisonment in the division, he was forced to wear the prisoners' uniform every day. The police or the jailors either handcuffed him and hung him up or ordered him to work.

In mid-May, Zi Wei ordered that all those detained in the "Strictly Controlled Division" be released after they had finished their three-month term except Zeng Haiqi. He then arranged to have eight prisoners take turns to completely deprive Zeng Haiqi of sleep and to torture him with torture instruments, in an attempt to force him to renounce his belief. Later, they had to stop because overseas Falun Gong practitioners went all out to expose Zeng Haiqi's situation.

In Mid-May, Zi Wei called for a special meeting of responsible persons. He issued the order to enhance the attack against Falun Gong practitioners and to strengthen labor management. In reality, he meant to ask policemen to persecute Falun Gong practitioners by forcing them to perform slave labor.

Falun Gong practitioner Meng Kai, who was originally detained in the Health Section, was sent to the 3^rd Ward of the prison and was forced to do slave labor for more than 15 hours a day.

Three Falun Gong practitioners in the 6^th Ward strongly resisted such extremely intensive overtime slave persecution. They were cuffed and hung up. When officials from the Provincial Bureau of "Reeducation-Through-Labor" came to inspect the prison, Falun Gong practitioners decided to appeal jointly for their legal rights of labor. The two diligent practitioners were locked up in small cells.

The persecution by means of slave labor is still continuing. It's very difficult for many practitioners to endure. They sleep very little every day. It's indeed very tough for them in the long run, especially for those who grew up in a scholarly environment and do not have a strong build. They have already suffered cruel persecution in local jails, and it is therefore extremely hard for them to endure further slave labor.

I have been in contact with these practitioners for a few years. In the past, I also had misunderstandings about them and I even participated in the persecution. However, as time goes by, I see hope and a bright future in them. They are all noble, pure and kind. They indeed practice "Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance" in the face of severe tribulation and injustice. They endure without bearing any grudges. I admire them very much. As a policeman serving the interest of the people, if I do not step forward to say a few words to uphold justice, I would indeed have a guilty conscience. At the same time, I hope my colleagues are able to see what's right and what's wrong and to treat them well.