The Memorandum of Law submitted in support of these new charges states that the entire campaign against Falun Gong was personally initiated by Jiang, and forced upon the government of China, the Communist Party, and the people through the “6-10 Office” that was created for that purpose.

“Acting against the decision of other members of the Chinese Communist Party Politburo,” says Attorney Dr. Terri Marsh, who filed the lawsuit against Defendant Jiang, “in June of 1999, Jiang personally sent an internal notice to all Party members ordering them to collaborate in the persecution of Falun Gong.” Dr. Marsh adds, “Since that time, Jiang has been the driving force behind the persecution, even personally visiting provinces that initially were not active in carrying out his orders to ensure that the entire nation toed the line.”

Dr. Marsh concludes, “Indeed the entire campaign of persecution has taken place outside of the normal and legally established governmental procedures. This is Jiang’s personal campaign.”

Like the Cultural Revolution, the new court filing argues, the persecution of Falun Gong in China was created by one individual to the detriment and harm of the entire country. The filing goes on to say that as a violator of his nation’s laws, and international norms, Jiang acts not on behalf of the state, but rather as an enemy of the state and the people of China. Citing the landmark US lawsuit that set the stage for trying foreign officials for gross human rights violations (Filartiga v Pena-Irala), Dr. Marsh quotes, “the torturer has become – hostis humani generi, an enemy of all mankind.”

The legal filing further notes that an earlier decision to grant immunity to Jiang is no different than granting immunity to Hitler, Milosevic, and Stalin for their crimes against humanity. As was the case with Hitler, Milosevic, and Stalin, Jiang’s acts of torture and genocide are not subject to immunity because they constitute crimes of the highest order – crimes against humanity – and violate not only international law, but also are in direct violation of the domestic law and Constitution of China. (press statement)

Contact information:

U.S. Human Rights Attorney Dr. Terri Marsh: +1-202-369-4977
Falun Gong Spokesperson Dana Cheng +1-312-933-8138

Background

Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa (about), is a practise of meditation and exercises with teachings based on the universal principle of “Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance.” It is a practise that was taught in private for thousands of years before being made public in 1992 by Mr. Li Hongzhi. Falun Gong has roots in traditional Chinese culture, but it is distinct and separate from other practises such as the religions of Buddhism and Taoism. Since its introduction in 1992, it quickly spread by word of mouth throughout China, and is now practised in over 50 countries.

With government estimates of as many as 100 million practising Falun Gong, China’s then-Communist leader, Jiang Zemin, outlawed the peaceful practise in July 1999 (report), fearful of anything touching the hearts and minds of more citizens than the Communist Party. Unable to crush the spirit of millions who had experienced improved health and positive life changes from Falun Gong, Jiang’s regime has intensified its propaganda campaign to turn public opinion against the practise while quietly imprisoning, torturing and even murdering those who practise it. To that end, Jiang established the “6-10 Office,” a Gestapo-like agency spanning from the Central Government to the local governments. The United States Congress has described the “6-10 Office” as an agency charged with “overseeing the persecution of Falun Gong members through organised brainwashing, torture, and murder.” (news)

The Falun Dafa Information Centre has verified details of 782 deaths (reports / sources) since the persecution of Falun Gong in China began in 1999. In October 2000, however, Government officials inside China reported that the actual death toll was well over 1,600. Expert sources now estimate that figure to be much higher. Hundreds of thousands have been detained, with more than 100,000 being sentenced to forced labour camps, typically without trial.