(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,

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