Politicians

  • Czech Republic: Members of the Czech Parliament Appeal to President Vaclav Klaus to Express Support for Falun Gong Practitioners during his Visit to China

    Czech Falun Gong practitioners organised a Press Conference outside the seat of the President's Office. Several VIPs joined the appeal with a statement, “We join the appeal to stop the persecution of Falun Gong members and other prisoners of conscience in China and call on the President Mr Vaclav Klaus to unambiguously express support to these people.“
  • Letter to Practitioners from the Spanish Ambassador to Ireland

    "Thank you very much for letting me know the situation of the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China. I felt distress and anger when I read about the few brief and particular cases you mentioned in your letter. At the same time, I sincerely wish that the Falun Gong practitioners’ difficult situation can be improved and solved as soon as possible."
  • Germany Supports Resolution Condemning China’s Human Rights Practices

    The 60th Session of the U.N. Human Rights Commission is being held in Geneva from March the 15th to April the 23rd 2004. Member of the German Human Rights Committee, Mr. Haibach, who is also member of the German Parliament, arrived in Geneva on Monday. Here is a transcript of an interview held prior to his departure for Geneva.
  • Two French MPs Express Concern about the French Police’s Misconduct Towards Falun Gong Practitioners

    In March 2004, French MPs Christina Jeanjean and Roger Karoutchi sent letters to Falun Gong practitioners expressing concern about the French police’s misconduct towards Falun Gong practitioners at the time of Hu Jintao’s visit during the Chinese New Year, and asking the French government for a strict investigation. Roger Karoutchi said in his letter, “The issue you stated is extremely serious, so I will definitely ask the French government to allow the facts to be openly discussed.”
  • Spain: The Ambassador to Chile Replied to a Letter from Falun Gong Practitioners

    'You mentioned in your letter that China (Jiang’s regime) persecuted the human rights of the Falun Gong group who persevere in practicing a traditional Chinese meditation practice. For this reason, I have passed all this information to the foreign department of my country. Regarding this issue, my country will carry on investigating and will reply and provide help accordingly.'
  • UK MPs and Lords Raise Their Concerns About China’s Human Rights Record

    In the last two months, several Lords and MPs have raised questions in the UK parliament about China’s worsening human rights record. For example, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Mr. Bill Rammell, said, “…we urge that the rights of Falun Gong adherents be respected.”
  • French MP Suggests an Investigation of the Paris Incident

    The Celebration of the Chinese New Year in Paris this February was marked by the harassment of Falun Gong practitioners by the French police, who were under pressure from the Chinese government. A French Falun Gong practitioner wrote a letter to his MP. The MP Mr. Alain Marleix replied and suggested that the incident be investigated. Mr. Marleix immediately forwarded the practitioner’s letter to the president of UMP, his political party, and suggested an investigation of this incident. He also expressed his concern to the relevant departments.
  • Swiss Members of Parliament sent Speeches to the Falun Gong Anti-Persecution Press Conference in Geneva

    On March the 15th, Mr. Ueli Leuenberger, member of the Swiss Federal Parliament, and Ms. Maria Roth-Bernasconi, councillor of Geneva State, sent speeches to the anti-persecution press conference held by Falun Gong practitioners at the Places Des Nations. In Mr. Leuenberger’s letter, he indicated his support for practitioners’ efforts to promote the value of human rights in China.
  • Delegate from the Swedish Central Party: “We will continue to call for an end to the persecution of Falun Gong.”

    On the 3rd of March 2004, in Stockholm, Falun Gong practitioners raised the issue of the recent escalation of the persecution of Falun Gong in China and with the Swedish Central Party. Speaking decisively, Lena Ek, the delegate of the Swedish Central Party was resolute as she expressed her support: “the leaders of the Swedish Government will always use every opportunity to raise the issue of Falun Gong to the Chinese government at all levels. We will continue to call for an end to the persecution of Falun Gong whether we are in political, business or enterprise meetings. Good luck to Falun Gong!”
  • French MP: “We should give human rights higher priority than economic benefits.”

    Recently, a French practitioner wrote to Franck Marlin, Member of Parliament for Essonne and Mayor of Etampes, complaining about the unfair treatment Falun Gong practitioners received in Paris at the end of January. The MP replied saying that he completely agreed with the practitioner and thinks “we should give human rights higher priority than economic benefits.”
  • President of Swedish Centre Party: “We totally agree with your standpoint that this persecution is not acceptable.”

    "Thanks for your letter. In your letter you mentioned the persecution of Falun Gong. Our Centre party and I totally agree with your standpoint that this persecution is not acceptable. We are happy to help you and pass this information to other people as you requested."
  • Swedish Ministry of Commerce: “We are resolutely against the arrest and torture of Falun Gong practitioners!”

    "I would like to express that on different occasions the Swedish government had censured the Chinese government on its torture of Falun Gong practitioners. Of course, we will continue to do so. We are absolutely against the violent treatment of peaceful citizens making appeals and oppose the arrest and torture of Falun Gong practitioners who are thrown into prisons or labour camps."
  • Three Irish Government Councils Unanimously Pass Motion Demanding an End to the Ongoing Persecution of Falun Dafa Practitioners in China

    “This County Council calls on the Government to use its position as Chair of the EU - China Human Rights Dialogue taking place in Dublin this month, to demand that the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China is ended and all prisoners immediately released. In particular that pressure would be put on to secure the return of Dun Laoghaire students, Liu Feng and Yang Fang, to complete their studies in Ireland and that this motion would be brought to the attention of the Minister.”
  • Letter from a Dutch Government Official Expressing Concern about the Human Rights Situation in China

    “The human rights violations in China are very serious. For instance, brutal torture, bad treatment in the prisons, coercing a suspect into admitting guilt, and arbitrary arrest. In addition, the Chinese government strictly restricted freedom of speech and assembly, and the rights of labourers. Meanwhile, in their handling of the dissenters, minority nationalities, religious beliefs, spiritual groups (such as Falun Gong), and criminals who commit general crimes, the Chinese government indicted them with extreme penalties. The Dutch government will pay close attention to the situation."
  • Lord Hylton Writes to the Editor of The Times: "Chinese policies 'bring suffering'"

    After reading an article about "the lavish reception and maximum security afforded to the President of China during his visit to Paris", Lord Hylton wrote to the Editor of The Times (London) on February 2nd 2004. In his letter, Lord Hylton suggested that the persecution "of Falun Gong practitioners and the continued existence of labour camps all might have recommended a more modest welcome" to the Chinese President. He went on to say that he trusts the President of France "will place a higher value on upholding freedom of belief and worship, together with other human rights, wherever these are threatened."