(Clearwisdom.net) Under invitation of the Epoch Times in South America, renowned international human rights lawyer and co-author of "Bloody Harvest -- Report into Allegations of Organ Harvesting of Falun Gong Practitioners in China" Mr. David Matas gave speeches in South America in August, 2007. Though distracted by a devastating earthquake, people showed great concern and condemned the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) cruel atrocity of harvesting organs from living Falun Gong practitioners.

Before Mr. Matas' trip, Falun Gong practitioners in Peru sent letters and related materials to the President, the Congress, government offices, media, universities and human rights organizations. Those who received the letters expressed their intention to attend the speech. A spokesperson of the Congress told Falun Gong practitioners that the President showed great concern and the Congress had rescheduled events conflicting with Mr. Matas' speech. Falun Gong practitioners had also arranged for a speech to five hundred Jewish people. High level government officials, media and all circles of society showed deep concern over the CCP's crime of harvesting organs from living Falun Gong practitioners.

Mr. Matas arrived in Peru on the night of Aug. 15. Because of the earthquake on Aug. 16, all congressmen and media went to the disaster area. All scheduled activities of the Congress were canceled. The scheduled hearing and the speech to the Jewish people were also canceled.

Despite the interruption, several of Mr. Matas' speeches attracted great attention. On the afternoon of Aug. 16, Mr. Matas attended a human rights symposium under the invitation of the Democracy Association of Catholic University and introduced the six-month-long independent investigation he and former Canadian MP David Kilgour made, which concluded that the cruel crime of harvesting organs from living Falun Gong practitioners did indeed take place and is still going on. The attendees were very shocked. They could hardly believe it. They all said they would tell their students and friends about the crime and call for the end of the persecution.

Mr. Matas gave a speech to all faculty and staff of Leon Pinelo College and some high school students at 8 p.m. on Aug. 17. Mr. Matas said the most terrible thing was that the victims were still living when their organs were harvested. It was not voluntary. However, this conduct was supported by the Chinese government. The victims' bodies were cremated to destroy the evidence. The illegal selling of organs brought income to the government. Science and medicine became accomplices in the crime. Former Minister of Education and President of the college Mr. Leon Trahtembemrg expressed gratitude to Mr. Matas on behalf of everyone in his college. He was determined to further spread the news and make efforts to stop the cruel atrocity.

Another speech was given in the Conference Room of the Peru Journalists Association between 6 p.m. And 9 p.m. on Aug. 17. People were greatly shocked and asked many questions. They wanted to find out how to help stop the crime.

La Revista Caretas, an influential magazine, interviewed Mr. Matas and Falun Gong practitioners on Aug. 18.