A Swedish Student Wrote to the French Minister of Justice

Mr. Minister of Justice,

On January 26th, you delivered a speech at the Stockholm International Forum, pointing out the importance of stopping crimes of genocide. I am very glad that France seems to put great emphasis on this issue. But a recent event shows that France does not completely stand on the side of protecting human rights.

In Paris, the French authorities, under pressure from the Chinese government, ordered the police to unlawfully detain Falun Gong practitioners. On the weekend of January 24th and 25th, large-scale parades and other similar activities marked the opening of the Chinese New Year celebration activities held in Paris. During the activities, over twenty Chinese and Western Falun Gong practitioners were arrested because they wore scarves or clothing printed with the words “Falun Gong” or “Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.” The French authorities told them that the reason for their arrest was that the “Yellow colour is illegal in France.”

When did the yellow colour become illegal in France? Falun Gong practitioners wear yellow clothing on many occasions, in particular on the occasion of making peaceful appeals against the persecution. It is not illegal to do so. The French Falun Dafa Association is a legally registered organisation in France and has been supported by government agents and human rights organisations.

It was reported that some practitioners were violently treated. When one female practitioner asked the police for the reason for her arrest, one French policewoman said that they were just carrying out orders from their superiors. However, this kind of behavior does not follow the rule of law. If their superiors gave the order to do something unlawful, each policeman should be obliged not to obey the illegal order.

Some Chinese officials are committing the crime of genocide. Every day there are Falun Gong practitioners being tortured or murdered. I sincerely hope that you can agree with my opinion and correct the mistake made during the Chinese New Year celebration activities.

Sincerely Yours.