Statement from Washington Peace Center

July 17

The Washington Peace Center expresses its grave concern over the Chinese Government's violent crackdown on Falun Gong practitioners since July 1999. The Peace Center firmly supports the human right to freedom of conscience, expression and assembly. In this spirit, we call for open dialogue between the Chinese Government and its citizens who practice Falun Gong.

We are especially troubled by reports of thousands of Falun Gong protestors and practitioners being detained and severely mistreated in labor camps, prisons and psychiatric hospitals, sometimes being sentenced without trial. We reject the proposed notion that people need to be 're-educated' in this manner, and are horrified by numerous accounts of Falun Gong practitioners being sexually assaulted, raped or beaten, sometimes to the point of death, while in government custody. We demand that the government of China ensures that all allegations of torture and ill-treatment are thoroughly and independently investigated.

In peace,

Maria Lya Ramos Coordinator

Kelli Olson

Peace Talks Coordinator