Issued by Clearwisdom Net

In response to the Singapore Court's unjust conviction of two Falun Gong practitioners on April 27, 2005, Taiwan's Falun Dafa Society wrote letters to four international human rights organizations, including "Petitions Team, Office of the High commissioner for Human Rights, United Nations Office at Geneva," "Human Rights Watch," "Freedom House," and "Amnesty International," as well as the "Chancery Bar Association" in United Kingdom. The letter requested these renowned human rights organizations to investigate and reveal the human rights violations against the Singapore Falun Gong practitioners in this case. The letter also called upon them to support the basic human rights of the two practitioners. Copies of the letter were also sent to Mr Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore Minister Mentor, Mr Lee Hsien Loong, Singapore Prime Minister and Professor S Jayakumar, Singapore Minister of Law.

The following is the text of the letter:

(Addresses of the organizations are omitted)

May 6, 2005

To whom it may concern

This letter is asking your serious attention and concern on an unfair and unjust judgment granted by Singapore court on April 27, 2005 against two Falun Gong practitioners in Singapore.

On April 27 in Singapore, two women were found "guilty" on "assembly without a permit" and "possession and distribution of illegal VCDs" under respectively MISCELLANEOUS OFFENCES (PUBLIC ORDER AND NUISANCE) ACT)and Film Act. Their crime? Handing out materials to passers-by in a public park that document the human rights atrocities inflicted upon those who practice Falun Gong in China.

It is a fact well-known throughout the world that the Chinese Communist Party has been waging a campaign of suppression against Falun Gong inside China for the past 6 years -- a campaign that is vast in scope and horrifying in its implementation. Human rights workers have documented over 42,000 cases of severe abuse or torture in prison camps and detention centers of Falun Gong practitioners. Thousands are dead. Hundreds of thousands, if not millions, languish in labor camps and detention centers throughout China, many sent there merely for letting their fellow citizens know about the abuses unleashed on Falun Gong.

Up until two days ago, only in Communist China would people be punished by authorities for distributing these materials. How is it that Singapore's justice system would punish people for speaking the truth? It is appalling and disturbing that in Singapore, a society that is supposedly governed by rule of law, two Falun Gong practitioners would be found "guilty" and fined simply for giving away CDs and information about China's persecution of Falun Gong for free to the public.

Defense counsel for the two accused women has stressed that the issue in this case is about whether it is fair to the Falun Gong practitioners that their fundamental rights and liberty is being curtailed by way of the discretionary administration of certification and refusal to grant a certification for their VCDs. They were merely exercising their Constitutional rights, and such rights expressed peacefully and orderly should not be curtailed by any other law of the land.

The evidence suggests that no other group, religious organization and qigong activity has faced similar close scrutiny since July 1999 and faced such similar charges. But, there is an SOP for the Falun Gong, there is close monitoring of the Falun Gong practitioners in Singapore. There is a clear directive that states that all Falun Gong related reports falls under the purview of the Senior Investigation Officer, and they have constantly been subject to police inspection and the taking down of their particulars, their items seized, confiscated, and they are told to leave their place of practice. Article 12, Constitution of the Republic of Singapore states clearly that 'All persons are equal before the law and entitled to the equal protection of the law'. It goes on to state that, "...there shall be no discrimination against citizens of Singapore on the ground only of religion, race, descent or place of birth in any law...". Falun Gong practitioners in Singapore have been subjected to being singled out, victimized, particularized, carefully scrutinized and subjected to inequality before the law. This is in violation of their fundament right.

Defense counsel has submitted the notice of appeal to the court. We Falun Gong practitioners in more than 60 countries have called upon the government of Singapore to reverse this decision and handle this case justly in accordance with the law.

We know your organization is dedicated to protecting the human rights of people around the world and stand with victims and activists to prevent discrimination, to uphold freedom. I would like to ask you to investigate and expose any human rights violations in this case and enlist the public and the international community to support the cause of human rights for accused Falun Gong practitioners in Singapore.

Your help will touch the hearts of all those who value the freedom of belief and human rights.

Sincerely,

__________________

Chang, Ching-Hsi

Chairman, Taiwan Falun Dafa Society

"No human nature," "We are shocked!" Although the members of the International Human Rights Association are familiar with the atrocities committed by the Chinese Communist Party, while viewing the twenty-five paintings created to expose the cruel persecution of Falun Gong, they found the shameless means used to suppress Falun Gong, the rampant persecution and the degree of brutality beyond their imagination.

Members of the International Human Rights Association are shocked by the cruel persecution of Falun Gong carried out by the Chinese Communist Party.

When a Falun Gong practitioner from Frankfurt heard that the 2005 International Human Rights Annual Conference held at Koenigstein from April 23rd to 24th was about torture, he immediately remembered the Art Exhibition in Geneva during the session of the UN Human Rights Conference. Some of the paintings illustrated how the police in China persecute Falun Gong practitioners using torture.

He contacted practitioners in other countries, and quickly got copies of the paintings. He selected twenty-five paintings from the copies. Most of them portrayed methods of torture, such as bamboo sticks being shoved under the fingernails and cruel beatings. Some of them indirectly showed the persecution; for example, one girl couldn't enter her home because her home was sealed up by order of the 610 Office, a Gestapo-like agency created solely to persecute Falun Gong. On the morning of April 23rd when the International Human Rights Annual Conference was about to start, the practitioner was busy hanging up the paintings near the relaxation area.

The effect of exposing the persecution using these art works was displayed as they were framed. Employees of the framing company were measuring the size of every painting, so the practitioner took the chance to explain to them in detail about the content. The framing company got to know about the persecution and decided to charge their lowest price because, as they said, "this art exhibition is a meaningful event." They even helped the practitioner solve a transportation problem due to his urgent schedule by driving their own company van to transport the paintings to the location of the conference.

Communism was rampant in Eastern Europe for many years, so those people who came from this area were especially touched. Someone from the Czech Republic asked the practitioner how to get a high-resolution photo of a painting of an elderly Falun Gong practitioner squatting in a cage, in which he could hardly extend his body. The Czech man felt this painting had an intense symbolic meaning. The Communist Party is like a cage that confines human thought and freedom. Day after day, year after year, those who are held in these cages will forget what normal life is, what their inherent dignity and what their rights are. They become gradually numb and accept the orders of those evil people who torture them.

Although this practitioner has been living in democratic western Germany, he could understand this implied meaning. The publication of Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party in German let him understand systematically the nature of the Communist Party and the way they use the principles of lies, violence and suppression to control all aspects of society. The Communist Party's history of brutal killing never been expounded in such a way before. They utilize killing to create an atmosphere of terror to control people spiritually, so that most Chinese are totally willing to accept totalitarian rule.

The practitioner was glad to see the art exhibition had resonated with the people who visited. When many people found out he was the curator, they came to him and said, with an incredible, shocked, and angry look, that they would tell more people about the persecution of Falun Gong.

This art exhibition was the first time the "Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance Art Exhibition" was held in Germany. Falun Gong practitioners have blazed a peaceful path of anti-persecution, exposing the persecution by words, anti-torture exhibitions, music, paintings, and sculpture.

"In Germany, we will keep organizing the art exhibitions." said the practitioner. His gentle and slow voice was also steadfast in expressing resistance persecution, and determination to let the world know the truth.

Source: http://clearharmony.net/articles/200505/26444.html

On May 7, 2005, in downtown Auckland, local Falun Gong practitioners held an anti-torture exhibition to expose the persecution of Falun Gong in China. Since the exhibit was set up near a major communications hub, a continuous stream of people observed the live torture reenactment and were shocked at the persecution currently taking place in China. Many people asked what they could do to help stop the persecution. For some people, this was not the first time that they heard of the persecution. Many people were willing to help publicize the truth about Falun Gong to their friends.

Truth-clarifying posters

During the anti-torture exhibition, practitioners collected a large number of signatures in support of the effort against the persecution. Among those who signed, many were tourists from Australia, Germany, the U.S. and France. They were all shocked at the fact that so many people are subject to persecution for practicing such a peaceful practice. Quite a number of Westerners took the initiative to sign the petition as soon as they watched the torture reenactments, even if they did not have time to read through the newsletters prepared by practitioners.

Below are accounts of some of the exchanges between the practitioners and the public who came to view the exhibition.

Four Chinese students wanted to learn what Falun Gong is really about. They saw the reenactment of several brutal torture methods. The practitioners' explanation further helped them to learn the real stories covered up by the Chinese state-run media. They also understood that Falun Gong is good.

A senior police officer from Auckland especially came to view the anti-torture exhibition. Prior to this, he already learned the truth about Falun Gong. He still wanted to learn more about the torture reenactments. The police officer came at around 11 a.m. and said that the content of the exhibit was really good. He felt that the banners also helped to make the purpose of the activity very clear. He said that the overall exhibit was very peaceful and that this kind of event is a good way to clarify the truth to the public in New Zealand. He also mentioned that the chosen location was really good, where numerous people pass by.

After viewing the anti-torture exhibition, a lawyer passing by was deeply touched. He said that the practitioners staged this event very seriously and that the subject matter of the posters was very clear. He stated that the effect was quite good. The lawyer also said that the location was very good.

A Western woman in her 40s came by, who was on a tour around New Zealand. After viewing the anti-torture exhibition and the introductory materials, she immediately helped practitioners to distribute flyers. She continued for several hours until the event concluded. In the end, she expressed that she would like to hand out truth-clarifying newsletters at the hotel where she was staying.

A gentleman who carried a camera took pictures of the practitioners who were demonstrating the torture methods. He talked with practitioners for a long time. He stated: "You persistently tell the facts about the persecution, and the effect is really good. Please keep going and victory will definitely belong to you!"

Reenactments of torture methods used against practitioners in China

From April 25-30, 2005, a group of practitioners from the Czech Republic toured six Moravian cities: Karvina, Havirov, Frydek-Mistek, Bohumin, Ostrava and Krnov. They introduced Falun Gong and told the public about the vicious on-going persecution against the practice in China.

On the first day of the tour, practitioners visited the city of Karvina. Although it rained the whole day, they displayed banners and information about the persecution and started to perform the gentle Falun Gong exercises and patiently talk about the persecution to passersby.

One lady was very moved by the courage of Falun Gong practitioners in China. After she read all the material she came to sign our petition calling for an end to the persecution. When looking at the exercises she said she was interested in learning them as well, but nobody lived close to her who could teach her the movements. One practitioner offered to visit and help this lady learn the exercises. At first she couldn't believe that someone would go to such lengths to help others and didn't want any money for it. So the practitioner explained to her that Falun Gong is not just about exercises; Falun Gong is a teaching that leads people to higher moral standards. After she heard this she said, "I wish there were more people like you." She wished us good luck and left afterwards with a bunch of leaflets.

A reporter from the regional news came to interview the practitioners and took a few photos that were published the next day.

On the second day, the practitioners moved to Havirov. Reporters from Czech national radio and a newspaper came to interview the practitioners. They also asked passerby what they thought about the persecution of Falun Gong in China and about the activities. People expressed their sympathy, and their support for what the practitioners were doing to raise awareness.

When practitioners were explaining the facts of the persecution, they met with people who lived in communist Czechoslovakia and were also persecuted. One older man, reading a display board explaining the torture methods used in cruel attempts to force practitioners in China to renounce their beliefs, said, "When communism was here, I was also tortured this way. They hung me up with my head facing the ground and kept burning me with cigarettes for a long time." These people could relate to the suffering of the practitioners in China. They supported our efforts and immediately signed our petition calling for end to the Chinese Communist Party's ruthless human rights violations.

Frydek-Mistek

When practitioners began the activities in Frydek Mistek, many people had already heard about the tour, what Falun Gong is and the persecution by the communist regime. They had read about it in the local news or heard it on the radio. This made people more willing to get detailed information and many stepped forward to sign the petition immediately.

In smaller cities such as Bohumin and Krnov there were not so many people on the streets so some practitioners took the opportunity to talk to people in more depth. Others continued demonstrating the exercises and displaying information about the suppression of Falun Gong.

During the whole tour, close to six hundred petition signatures were collected and around 30, 000 leaflets with information about Falun Gong and the persecution were handed out. Many people were moved by the kind-heartedness and courage of Falun Gong practitioners. They found it difficult to accept that such terrible atrocities are happening to a group of such good people. Czech practitioners would like to thank everyone for their support in bringing justice to practitioners in China.

Practitioners talk to the media and the public

Source: http://clearharmony.net/articles/200505/26427.html

The annual May Festival in the city of Coquitlam ended on May 8 2005. The largest event was the Po Co Parade on May 7. Every year, the parade attracts a lot of groups to participate and many visitors. This year, there were over one hundred groups participating in the parade. On that day, three levels of elected council members and the Mayor also drove their own cars in the parade. The groups included different ethnic groups and different religious groups, which truly illustrated the tolerance and diversity of Canadian culture.

Falun Gong was invited to the parade again to promote Chinese traditional culture. Falun Gong won the second place in the competition. The gentle exercise demonstration, bright Lotus Flower Dance and Fan Dance won a lot of applause. Many spectators waved their hands and chanted, "You are so beautiful! I saw you last year too, thank you, it is so wonderful!"

Celebrate Falun Dafa Month

Falun Gong wins Second Place in overall performance

Falun Dafa procession

Exercise Demonstration during the parade

Before the parade, the Coquitlam City government issued a proclamation praising Falun Dafa as a Chinese traditional self-meditation system. The Mayor of Coquitlam City proclaimed May 2005 as "Falun Dafa Month."

During the celebration, a colorful ring appeared around the sun

On May 6, 2005, the sunshine was brilliant. Falun Gong practitioners in Queensland, Australia gathered at Brisbane City Hall square to celebrate the 13^th anniversary of Falun Dafa's public introduction, and at the same time to hold a "Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance" art exhibit.

Wonderful art performance

Celebration attracts many people to watch

All practitioners pose for a picture

A representative of the mayor, City Councilor Gary Quick came to congratulate practitioners on the celebration. He said, "It is my great honor to be invited each year to participate in the celebration of World Falun Dafa Day, as each time I can feel the harmony and beauty of Falun Dafa. I'm a politician, so I can often be confronted with some citizens' protests and appeal. I always think that a person in power should try to understand the minds of protesters, but not to persecute them. Only by doing so, can he work for the people."

The President of the Taiwan Countrymen Association stated his opinion, "When I was in Taiwan before, I always heard the Kuomingtang say how bad the Communist Party is. I thought it was propaganda. Later, after witnessing the Chinese Communist Party constantly suppressing Taiwan, and after I read "Nine Commentaries on the Chinese Communist Party," I truly realize that the CCP is so bad." He said, his understanding of Falun Gong is a gradual process. Now he believes Falun Gong practitioners are upright people who are willing to sacrifice themselves for the sake of other people. What they have done are all good things with great meaning.

Herbalist doctor Linda shared her experience of taking up Falun Gong. Every day she had to contact may patients from all walks of life with different beliefs and religions. But what was strange to her is that she had never seen Falun Gong practitioners come for treatment. Out of curiosity, she wanted to get to know Falun Gong, and thus obtained such a wonderful practice.

The wonderful art performance attracted many people to stop and watch. The vigorous waist drum group, graceful folk dance, and western practitioners' choir were so touching that many passersby and government officials stopped to watch attentively. Many people requested truth clarification materials. A passerby said to a practitioner, "If everyone were as good as you are, the world would be wonderful!" The same day, the "Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance" art exhibit was opened to the public.

May 7, 2005 marked the 44^th anniversary of Minan National Elementary School in Taipei County. After a whole night of rainstorms, the sky was clear and the breeze was cool and pleasant. The school held a sports meet to celebrate the anniversary. The school especially arranged a stand for Falun Gong practitioners. Pupils and their parents kept coming to the stand to learn more about Falun Dafa. Practitioners patiently explained to the young children about the stories depicted in the paintings that were shown in the stand. They also taught children to read poems from Hong Yin [a collection of poems by Falun Gong's founder, Master Li]. The children were very happy and joyfully shouted in front of the camera, "Falun Dafa is great!"

Viewing truth-clarifying pictures

Carefully explaining the stories depicted on the posters

The school principal and director of the Parents' Association on the stage practicing Falun Gong with the practitioners

The practitioner who coordinated this activity said that he contacted the school as soon as he learned about the sports meet from his child who attended this school. The person in charge of the event at the school said, "I've waited for you for a week already."

Practitioners actively participated in the activity. During their exercise demonstration, the principal of the school and the director of the Parents' Association also followed along with the practitioners to do the exercises. After the performance, the school issued a banner to honor the Falun Gong group, while the practitioners also presented a poster entitled "Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance" to the school. The joyful anniversary celebration concluded in a festive atmosphere. Practitioners brought the beauty of Falun Dafa to the school.

Young children attentively learning poems from Hong Yin

The school issues a banner to honor Falun Gong practitioners

In return, practitioners presented a poster entitled "Truthfulness-Compassion- Forbearance"

National Central University is located in Chungli City, Taoyuan County, Taiwan. It has a large, beautiful campus with lawns and trees. A Falun Gong Club for faculty and staff of Central University was recently organized, and a series of activities have been run every Thursday noon since mid-April. The activities include teaching the Falun Gong exercises, holding seminars, showing movies, and sharing experiences, in order to provide faculty and staff an opportunity to learn Falun Dafa and benefit from the practice, both physically and mentally.

Two to three hours before the first meeting of the club, we were told that the club chairman's elderly father was coming from Dashi to share his practice experiences with us. In addition, Dr. Roettger, former chairman of EISCAT (a scientific association) would join us.

Dr. Roettger was from Germany and visited Taiwan for a short time two years ago for teaching and research. He came to know the chairman of the Falun Gong club, who had started practicing Falun Gong a little while before. Dr. Roettger learned a few sets of the exercises. He loved to listen to the Falun Dafa music, Pudu and Jishi. He said that he was pleased to attend the session in order to learn more and to practice the exercises.

Dr. Roettger, from Germany, loves to listen to the Falun Dafa music, Pudu and Jishi

This model employee recovered from asthma and heart disease after practicing Falun Dafa

Uncle Wu, the club chairman's father, is 81 years old. Ever since he started practicing Falun Dafa, he has not had to take medicine as he used to do. He introduced himself to the group and shared his experiences in practice. He referred to the others present as little sisters and brothers, and advised them to keep practicing, as Falun Dafa will bring them the best.

A doctoral researcher in the space science institute attended the first Falun Dafa Club session. He had learned Falun Gong by himself through reading Falun Gong books online and practicing the exercises. He felt a strong energy field and knew it was a good practice.

A model employee who was honored by the university for exceptional performance has practiced Falun Dafa for years. She said that before practicing Falun Gong it was hard for her to walk even a short distance due to asthma, and her life was in danger because of heart disease. She suffered a lot. After she started practicing Falun Dafa, her health improved considerably and she now has a new view of life.

After everyone introduced himself or herself, the club assistant taught them the first set of the Falun Gong exercises. Everyone did well.

At the university, Falun Dafa clubs were set up for students and faculty, respectively. Club members practice the exercises in the early morning and late afternoon on campus. Within a few weeks of the faculty club being organized, many faculty members asked where to buy the book, Zhuan Falun and started to learn the exercises at the practice sites.

A little girl came to learn along with her mother, a staff member of the university, in the early morning. The little girl did so well even on the second day that it was hard to tell she was a new little practitioner.

This little girl practices the exercises with her mother and does very well

The club is open to the public and non-faculty members also enjoy practicing here

This year is the university's 60th anniversary. The school has invited the faculty Falun Gong club to give a performance in the upcoming June celebration. Everyone is practicing attentively and hopes to bring the grace of Falun Gong to all faculty members and students of the university.