(Clearwisdom.net) With the approach of the tenth anniversary of the
persecution of Falun Gong, 61 members of the U.S. Congress sent a joint letter
to U.S. President Barack Obama, asking him to ensure that the US government
gives all possible public and private diplomatic support to Falun Gong
practitioners in China
The bi-partisan Dear Colleague letter to President Obama, initiated by
Congressman Rob Andrews (D-NJ) and Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ), was sent to
the White House on July 8.
July 6, 2009
President Barack Obama
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear President Obama:
We are writing to request that you ensure that our government gives all possible
public and private diplomatic support to Falun Gong practitioners in China.
As is well-known, for the past ten years Falun Gong practitioners have been
brutally persecuted by the Chinese government. In response to a peaceful demonstration
organized by Falun Gong practitioners in April, 1999, the Chinese government formally banned
Falun Gong, and, on June 10, 1999 established an extrajudicial security force known as the
"6-10 Office." The "6-10 Office" ruthlessly implements the ban through massive
propaganda campaigns intended to demonize Falun Gong and by attempting to compel practitioners to
renounce their faith. The "6-10 Office" also supervises the arbitrary detention,
beating, torture and "transformation through reeducation" of Falun Gong practitioners for
activities that reflect the exercise of internationally-recognized fundamental human rights, including
freedom of thought, conscience, and religion.
Members of Falun Gong describe their practice as a "traditional Chinese
spiritual discipline that is Buddhist in nature." Their spiritual practices include
the study of moral teachings, meditation, and physical exercises and are entirely peaceful.
Our government has a duty to speak out on behalf of all those whose fundamental
human rights are violated. In view of the extreme brutality of the persecution faced
by Falun Gong practitioners, our government should speak very clearly and specifically on
their behalf to the Chinese government. We hope you will take the opportunity to do so in the coming
months, remembering the tragic 10-year anniversary of one of the most unjust and cruel
persecutions of our times.
Sincerely,
| _________________________
ROBERT ANDREWS |
_________________________
CHRIS SMITH |
Category: Voices of Support Worldwide
