An overview of the crisis: a report from UN:

Questions of violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms:
The Banning of the Falun Gong and Subsequent Arrests of Practitioners in China
 
 
 
 

• U.N. Asked to Intervene to Protect Falun Gong's rights (July 22)

• Amnesty International's Statement (July 23)

• Canada Condemns China's Crackdown on Falun Gong (July 26)

• U.S. Government Urges Chinese Government to Respect Human Rights (July 29)

• Interpol Rejects Chinese Government's Request for Detaining Master Li (Aug 3)

• Tailand Refuses to Arrest Mr. Li Hongzhi (Aug 3)

• Britain refuses to bar Falun Gong leader ( Aug 17)

• Australia Raised Concern During Human Rights Talk (Aug 18)

• U.S. State Dept's Press Briefings on Falun Gong (Aug. 26)

The nature of the movement

The extent of Government-led repression

What is to be done

Falun Gong/Falun Dafa has its roots in the rich history and practice of Taoism in China Taoism has been part of the all-pervading culture of the Chinese people, manifested in many folk practices but also in painting, poetry and philosophy. Taoists often do not consider Taoism as religion but rather a method return to original way(Tao). Rigid organization can be hindrance. "The doors and windows built into a house fulfil their function by being void." is an aphorism attributed to the Taoist sage Lao-tzu.

Thus Taoism in China has never had an over-all religious organizational structure, though at times in the past, there were some large monasteries and societies based on Taoist thought. Taoism is a way of seeking harmony with nature, practiced in everyday life, a preference for being inconspicuous, undemanding and uncombative. Taoists have a breath of vision to submit gracefully to adverse circumstances when submit they must.

In China, there has never been a rigid wall of separation between Taoist and Buddhist ideas and practices. Thus the emphasis on Compassion (Shan) in the Falun Gong/ Falun Dafa draws upon this central virtue of Buddhism. Likewise there is a Buddhist emphasis on attitudes to avoid, those which may interfere with wholesome morality and are thus a hindrance to higher states of consciousness: greed, covetousness, malevolence, anger, malice, hypocrisy, spite, envy, miserliness, deceit, treachery, obstinacy, impetuosity, arrogance, pride and conceit. ( of: the Buddha, Simile of the Cloth, Middle Length Sayings I, Discourse 7 ).

The Falun Gong/Falun Dafa, created in 1992, made Taoist techniques of meditation, exercises and yoga available to a large number of people through lectures, workshops, publications and video-audio cassettes. It was however, largely by word of mouth and example that the movement developed. These techniques met wide-spread needs, and thus the movement spread quickly to all parts of China and englobed people from all walks of life.

When it was first introduced to the public in 1992, Falun Gong/Falun Dafa was registered with the Qigong Research Association of China. Qigong, also drawing upon Taoist techniques of exercise and breathing, is popular in China although the exercises are now often done for reasons of good health and are separated from their moral foundations. As the Falun Gong/Falun Dafa’s goal is to guide people to higher dimensions of consciousness, and knowing that power gained from the exercises can be dangerous if not done in a firm framework of spiritual and moral values, the founder Li Hongzhi withdrew Falun Gong/Falun Dafa from the Qigong Research Association of China. It would seem that the Chinese Government, worried about the growing popularity of the movement then refused to allow it to be registered under any other category. This means that Falun Gong/ Falun Dafa had no legal protection and no legal status in Chinese society, a situation that practitioners peacefully and patiently tried to rectify so that they could follow the spiritual system of their choice safely and without interference.

The government of the Peoples Republic of China seems to have felt that the practices of Falun Gong/ Falun Dafa leading to harmony, joy and vitality were particularly needed in The USA and so facilitated the departure in 1995 of the founder Li Hongzhi to the USA where he now lives and teachers. However, the Falun Gong/ Falun Dafa is based on the practice of each individual, and the movement continued to grow despite the departure of Li Hongzhi.

It was in April 1999 when practitioners of Falun Gong/Falun Dafa gathered to request registration of the movement outside the compound at Zhongnanhai in Beijing, where many Government leaders live, that Falun Gong/Falun Dafa drew wide attention to itself. It would seem that such a large assembly of people without advance police knowledge provoked Government concern. Some in the Government administration and the Party saw Falun Gong/Falun Dafa as a danger to the ideological monopoly which they wish to conserve.

Thus, by the middle of June 1999, the police and security forces had developed plans for wide-spread arrests and repression. By 22 July, all was in place. There was a governmental decree banning the movement, wide-spread arrests of leaders in many different provinces indicating the well-laid plans for repression. Book, audio-video cassettes have been seized and destroyed. These destructions have been widely shown on Chinese television — a communications advance over Nazi book burning but hardly a moral improvement.

As with past campaigns against dissident thought : Anti-Rightist Campaign(1957); Great Leap Forward (1958-1960); Cultural Revolution ( 1966-1976); Campaign to Eliminate Spiritual Pollution ( 1983-1984), There are now public confessions of errors by Party members who had practiced Falun Gong/ Falun Dafa, re-education sessions for Government civil servants, stories in the press of people who were not cured of illness by practices, Pressure is being put on people to stop Falun Gong/ Falun Dafa practice through threats to work, education, pensions, housing etc. There has even been a request to the US Government to extradite Li Hongzhi to China on a charge of unlawful assembly.

What is to be done: This August session of the Sub-Commission is the first UN Human Rights body able to deal with the question fully after the 22July 1999 banning. The nature and the scale of the repression and arrests make this an emergency situation on which the Sub-Commission is mandated to act.

The banning of the Falun Gong/Falun Dafa is a qualitative change in the practice of the Government of the Peoples Republic of China. In the past, there have been questions raised in the Commission on Human Rights concerning the rights to religious practice of Roman Catholic and Protestant Christians in China and of Tibetan schools of Buddhism. ( See the report of the in situ visit of Special Rapporteur on Religious Intolerance, Mr Abdelfattah Amor, E/CN.4/1995/91 and his subsequent yearly reports ). In the case of the Christians and the Tibetan schools of Buddhism, there is usually a recognized clergy, buildings for worship or study, and specific scriptures.

This is not the case for Falun Gong/Falun Dafa. Thus there is a danger that repression will be more widespread and arbitrary. There is danger that the Public Security Department forces still strike out arbitrarily at people doing meditation exercises of holding spiritual beliefs concerning reincarnation, spirits, cycles of human evolution etc. The more a belief system is diffused, the closer it is to traditional folk beliefs often called superstitions by Government ideologues, the more arbitrary the repression can be. There are already many reports of police brutality in breaking up meetings of practitioners, usually meeting in public parks.

Thus, it is our duty to help the Peoples Republic of China to avoid another ideological campaign which not only violates international norms on freedom of belief but is also socially damaging.

China faces very real problems of unemployment due to economic restructuring; real problems due to rural to urban population movements, real problems due to population pressure upon the resources of food, water, housing etc. There are also real problems in the ideological philosophical sphere as Marxist explanations of society and history are inadequate, but there is no other dominant ideology or philosophy taking its place.

We can sympathize with Chinese intellectuals and administrators trying to meet all these problems at the same time. But we must say clearly that repression o spiritual movements will not provide solutions for these problems. Freedom of belief and exchange of ideas are essential to human progress.

Thus we in human rights community have a duty to uphold the norms set out in the universally-recognized Declarations and Covenants. We also have a duty to help the governments and people of States to find proper solutions when, through fear and bad advice, they take short-sighted measures which are harmful and destructive of social harmony. The banning and repression of Falun Gong/Falun Dafa is such a short-sighted and destructive measure. We are sure that the Sub-Commission will take strong and appropriate action to help the Peoples Republic of China to advance freedom of belief by lifting the ban on Falun Gong/Falun Dafa.

(New York, July 22, 1999) Human Rights Watch today strongly condemned the Chinese government's nationwide ban on the practice of Falun Gong. It urged the release of the organization's leaders and members arbitrarily detained in a nationwide sweep aimed at suppressing the group.

Human Rights Watch called on the international community to protest the ban, and urged Mary Robinson, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, to intervene with Chinese officials at the highest levels. Robinson visited China and Tibet in September 1998. In 1994, the U.N. Special Rapporteur on Religious Intolerance also visited China and made recommendations for specific reforms, but none of them have yet been implemented.

"This ban affects thousands of ordinary Chinese citizens," said Mike Jendrzejczyk, Washington Director of the Asia Division of Human Rights Watch. "The Chinese people have a right to exercise their faiths peacefully." Jendrzejczyk said the rights to freedom of belief and free association and assembly were guaranteed by the Chinese constitution and international law.

On July 22, the Chinese Ministry of Civil Affairs denounced Falun Gong as an "illegal organization," banned its practice in public or private, and accused the group of "engaging in illegal activities, advocating superstition and spreading fallacies" as well as "jeopardizing social stability." Beginning on July 20, organizers of the group were detained in several cities and provinces. There have also been reports of many Falun Gong followers detained in cities around China as they tried to mount protests against the detention of the organization's leaders.

Falun Gong is a worldwide organization committed to the improvement of its practitioners' physical and mental well-being through exercise and meditation. It has a growing following in China, though exact numbers are difficult to determine.

For Further Information:

Mike Jendrzejczyk (Washington) +1 202 612-4341(w) +1 301 585 5824(h)

HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH

Amnesty International News Service: 140/99

23 July 1999

PUBLIC STATEMENT

The arbitrary detention and continuing crackdown against followers of the Falungong movement in China are a new example of the authorities' tactics of harassing detaining or criminalizing citizens who are peacefully exercising basic human rights. This crack down flies in the face of the Chinese government's commitments to increase social freedom and marks the beginning of yet another circle of stifled dissent and repression.

At least 97 alleged Falungong leaders have reportedly been arrested, their homes searched, and property confiscated in recent days. In addition, since Wednesday, thousands of Falungong practitioners -- mainly elderly women, gathering for morning exercises or to silently protest the arrest of fellow practitioners have reportedly -- have been detained in cities across North-east China, Shanghai and Guangzhou. Many were released after being transported by police to stadiums for "education" sessions, some having been beaten with electric batons by the police.

Falungong, devised by Li Hongzhi, now resident in the USA, combines elements of traditional Qigong breathing exercises, Buddhism, Daoism and conservative social principles. Adherents, estimated in their millions, are reported to include party members, prominent academics, and some military personnel.

The phenomenon first came to international prominence on April 25 when thousands of adherents gathered in silent protest outside Zhongnanhai - the central government compound in Beijing. On 14 June a State Council circular refuted rumours that the group had been declared illegal, but warned followers not to hold more protests.

On 22 July, the Ministry of Civil Affairs declared that the organization had not been legally registered and would be banned having "engaged in illegal activities, promoted superstition, spread fallacies, duped the public, incited and created disturbances and jeopardized social stability".

The Ministry of Public Security simultaneously decreed the following activities illegal and liable to prosecution: distributing or promoting Falungong materials or gathering to carry out meditation exercises to promote Falungong anywhere at any time; silent sit-in's, gatherings marches or demonstrations to protect or promote Falungong; fabricating or spreading rumours to incite social disorder, organizing or directing activities to protest relevant government decisions.

This directive includes blanket criminalization of the exercise of basic freedoms enshrined in the Cinese constitution and in international human rights treaties.
 
 

According to The Global and Mail (July 26), Canada is taking a lead role in condemning China's crackdown on Falun Gong. Canada plans to make the detention of falun gong members a key focus of a human-rights forum to be held later this week in China.

"Falun gong will definitely be a major discussion point," said a Canadian diplomat close to the talks, noting, "China's constitution does offer the right to freedom of assembly."

Canada filed an official protest with China's foreign ministry shortly after 30,000 falun gong adherents were detained in 30 cities across China, sources said. Those protests occurred a day after security police arrested more than 70 leaders of Falun Gong.

Canadian diplomats note that China's constitution guarantees its 1.23 billion citizens the right to peaceful assembly and free expression, and that last week's ban on falun gong violates those rights because the protesters were peaceful and seeking freedom of expression. (Falun translates as wheel of law, gong as spatial powers.)

The Canadians also point out that China has signed the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights, which guarantees fundamental freedoms such as assembly and free expression.

Most other Western countries have yet to make a formal diplomatic complaint, fearing that a rebuff may have an impact on relations with China that are already shaky after the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgrade.

The United States has not formally chastised Beijing. But U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright did opt yesterday to make a public statement after a meeting in Singapore with China's foreign minister, Tang Jiaxuan.

"I made it quite clear to the foreign minister that it was very important for there to be the right of assembly and the possibility for a peaceful expression of views," Mrs. Albright said at an Association of Southeast Asian Nations meeting.
 
 

According to Reuters' report on July 29, The United States said Thursday it had received notice through Interpol of China's request for the detention of Master Li Hongzhi. But U.S. officials noted that the two countries have no extradition treaty and that Washington had publicly urged China not to punish people for "peaceful assembly".

The Justice Department said it was given information by Interpol Thursday on a request by China for the arrest of Li Hongzhi.

Spokesman John Russell said the Chinese request has gone to all Interpol member countries, including the United States, and added that China wanted the United States to detain Li.

U.S. officials said they expected that diplomats from the Chinese embassy would discuss the issue at the State Department Thursday.

State Department spokesman Lee McClenny said Tuesday that Washington had repeatedly raised its concerns with Beijing about a ban on the group announced last week.

He referred to "the heavy-handed tactics that have been used by Chinese security officials to detain thousands of Falun Gong practitioners" and said it was "the responsibility of the Chinese government to ensure that these fundamental human rights are protected."

One spokeswoman, Gail Rachlin, said the group had been offered support by members of Congress, including House of Representatives Democratic leader Richard Gephardt.

A spokesman for Rep. Dana Rohrabacher, a California Republican, said the lawmaker had met representatives of the group and he considered "that it was not a political movement and that the ongoing crisis is a case of human rights violations by the communist Chinese government."

According to Reuters, Interpol on Tuesday rejected a Chinese request for help in detaining the U.S.-based leader of the banned Falun Gong spiritual movement, saying the approach had religious or political motives.

The international police organisation issued a statement saying it had informed Beijing that it could not use Interpol channels to locate and arrest Li Hongzhi "in the absence of any information about ordinary law crime he would have committed."

Interpol, which is based in the French city of Lyon, said it had carefully examined the reasons behind the request and concluded that it fell under an article of its constitution forbidding it "to undertake any intervention or activities of a political or religious character."

It said it had reminded China that, as a sovereign state, it could use other means than Interpol to search for the fugitive.

Beijing issued an arrest warrant against Li last week and requested Interpol's aid in its investigations.

In New York, Falun Gong has said the warrant was based on fabricated evidence. Falun Gong asked the U.S. government to protect Li and to urge China to resolve the situation peacefully through direct talks.

The United States has reacted coolly to China's request to detain Li, noting that the two countries have no extradition treaty and that Washington had publicly urged China not to punish people for "peaceful assembly."
 
 

Thailand's Foreign Minister has publicly expressed that although Chinese Ambassador Fu Xuezhang requested that Thailand arrest the founder of Falun Gong, Mr. Li Hongzhi, Thailand will not take any action to arrest him as long as this qigong expert does not violate Thai laws.

The Foreign Minister indicated that Falun Gong is only a folk group that has been registered in Thailand, and he hasn't heard that Mr. Li Hongzhi plans to visit Thailand. Thailand is notpreparing for any action.

LONDON, Aug 17 (AFP) - Britain has turned down a request from China to ban the leader of the outlawed Falun Gong from entering the country, the Foreign Office said Tuesday.

At a news conference on Tuesday, China's ambassador to London disclosed that Beijing had asked for Li Hongzhi to be barred after a newspaper claimed he was planning to attend the group's first British conference.

The Foreign Office confirmed that a meeting took place with the Chinese embassy here on August 4, during which the Chinese "made clear to us" their position on the reported visit.

But a spokesman added: "We have taken the view that as Falun Gong is not an illegal organisation in the UK and also in view of Interpol declining to treat Li as an international criminal, there is no case for action on our part."

The Foreign Office said: "The Chinese authorities are aware of our and the EU countries' disappointment at the banning of this organisation and the restrictions which are being placed on the practice of individual spiritual belief."

According to Reuters news agency, China's crackdown on Falun Gong calls into doubt Beijing's pledge to uphold human treaties, a senior Australian diplomat said on Wednesday.

Miles Kupa, Australian deputy foreign secretary, SIA-PACIFIC said Chinese moves to stamp out Falun Gong featured prominently in three days of bilateral human rights discussions in Beijing. "The ban on Falun Gong does raise some serious questions about China's international commitments relating to freedom of assembly, freedom of association, freedom of expression," he told a news conference.

QUESTION: Do you have anything to say about China's plans to prosecute senior leaders of Falun Gong?

MR. FOLEY: Yes, we've seen the reports that the Chinese government plans to prosecute leading members of the Falun Gong movement. The United States strongly believes that individual spiritual beliefs should be respected in accordance with international covenants that China has signed. It's also our long-standing belief that no one should be persecuted for peaceful assembly, association or peaceful expression of their views. We therefore urge the Chinese government to live up to its obligations under international human rights instruments and protect freedom of thought, conscience and religion.

QUESTION: I want to refresh my memory. Have the Chinese officially asked that the leader be sent back to China from this country?

MR. FOLEY: I'd have to check that for you, but I'm certainly not aware of any such effort on their part. I have no information that -

QUESTION: In China they have called for his extradition from this country.

MR. FOLEY: But I am unaware of any request from the Chinese authorities for his extradition. There are practical obstacles. First of all, we do not have an extradition treaty with China. Secondly, I believe the gentleman is a legal resident of the United States. As I indicated, we don't believe that people should be persecuted or prosecuted simply for peaceful assembly or for exercising their religious beliefs or practices, as long as they're not harming anybody.