(Clearwisdom.net) An international conference on human rights and freedom of belief was held in Brussels, the capital of Belgium, from August 5 to 7. Councilors and representatives of some non-governmental organizations from North America, Asia, Europe, and Africa participated in the Conference. Mason scholar from Harvard University and Falun Gong practitioner Mr. Zhang Erping was invited to produce a report for the conference and held a seminar with other experts.
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More than one hundred representatives in the conference seriously listened to Mr. Zhang's speech. Mr. Zhang Erping said that Falun Gong was a traditional cultivation practice in China. It has helped to improve the health of many people and has benefited the country since it was taught by Mr. Li Hongzhi in 1992, according to the Chinese Government's own investigation. According to the statistics of the Chinese Government, there were 70 to 100 million people from all classes of society practicing Falun Gong. The cultivation principles of Falun Gong, "Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance," are deeply rooted in the traditional culture of China. They are also basic human beliefs.
However, the former President of China Jiang Zemin systematically arranged a cruel and violent oppression of Falun Gong practitioners since July 1999, because the traditional culture and values are contradictory to the theories of the communist party, and because Jiang Zemin wanted to prolong his dictatorship.
According to the reports of human rights organizations, more than one hundred thousand people were sent to slave labor camps, tens of thousands of people were sentenced, and more than one thousand people were persecuted to death, because they didn't want to give up the belief in Falun Gong. The means used in this persecution are extremely cruel, such as hammering bamboo sticks into practitioners' fingers and injecting them with damaging drugs that destroy the nervous system. The torture of female practitioners is especially severe and includes forced abortion, gang rape and many other horrifying atrocities.
Nevertheless, Falun Gong practitioners have always conducted themselves peacefully and continued to uphold their beliefs. They oppose the persecution and protect the freedom of belief and the dignity of human beings by peaceful means. At present, Falun Gong practitioners in many countries are suing the instigator of this persecution, Jiang Zemin, for Genocide and crimes against humanity.
Mr. Zhang Erping went on to point out that the international community should not be fooled by the so-called improved human rights records bragged about by the Jiang regime. Under the superficial quietness of the Chinese society, the lives of tens of thousands of men, women and children are being destroyed. People are being fired from their jobs because of their belief. Children are forced to slander Falun Gong in order to study in schools. The persecution involves everyone.
Finally, Mr. Zhang Erping expressed his thanks for the support from the international community during the past five years. He hoped that all the participants in the conference could also support and help to stop the violent persecution in China: "No matter how difficult it is, when a person stands up for justice, he will bring courage and hope, regardless of the result. That is the best weapon to defeat evil and darkness."
In the conference, the chairman of the Senate and Human Rights Committee in Italy spoke up for Falun Gong. He emphasized his consistent position and his support of Falun Gong practitioners' striving for their freedom of belief.