"We appeal in the strongest possible terms for all nations of the UN to help bring to an end the persecution. We appeal to everyone with a human heart to unite in the face of extreme adversity, and to show the Chinese government that it will not succeed in its unjust struggle against good."

"Considering that since 1999: - according to public and well-known information provided by the Falun Dafa Information Centre, Amnesty International and other major international and national NGOs, Mr. Jiang Zemin, the leader of China, has begun the persecution of the more than 100 million people Falun Gong practitioners..."

After talking with the practitioners, the Chairman of the City Committee wrote a letter to the Mayor of Wuhan City, telling him about Lin’s arrest. He voiced his sympathy and concern for Lin who might easily be suffering from torture and ill-treatment. In his letter, he also mentioned how worried Lin’s friends are about her detention, and that he would try every possible means to help her return to Dusseldorf as soon as possible.

Pannella denounces the fact that the “crusade” launched by Jang Zemin in 1999 now affects 100 million followers of Falun Gong, and has already led to hundreds of deaths, thousands of barbaric episodes of torture and the imprisonment of tens of thousands of people, as denounced by Amnesty International, the Human Rights Watch and the Falun Dafa Center of New York.

"I share your concerns over the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners. I would like to inform you that the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office together with the global European Commission Delegations and the Diplomatic Missions of the European Union follow closely human rights issues around the world."

"Ireland will seek to ensure that the human rights situation in China, including that of followers of Falun Gong, is adequately addressed in any statement made by the EU at the forthcoming 59th session of the UN Commission on Human Rights, to be held in Geneva in March/ April 2003."

'It was verified that Mrs Lin’s lawyer has appealed on human rights grounds against the decision of the Home Office to repatriate her. Hence, the legal procedures of the case have now started and the repatriation procedure was terminated on the same day. It is expected that Mrs Lin will be released early this week.'

In the afternoon, around one hundred Falun Dafa practitioners celebrated the 1st anniversary of “Falun Dafa Day” in front of the city hall and demonstrated the exercises. The officials from the city hall and a representative of the French Green Party also joined the celebrations.

"The United States government shares your concern about the arrest of Charles Li in China."

"Since we in Germany hear more and more incidents of torture in Chinese police detention facilities, we are imploring you to please have this incident investigated specifically and intervene on our behalf, to affect the release of Mrs. Lin."

'Canadian Nicole Milot’s stand draws a lot of attention. Not surprising, considering that she and her colleagues continually offer demonstrations of Falun Gong...With her eyes closed, Milot gives a demonstration. Her serene laugh speaks volumes: “My heart has changed and I’m no longer as agitated. There is more peace in my life.”'

During the recent Christmas and New Year celebrations, Spanish Falun Gong practitioners received more than 20 greeting cards and letters, from many prominent figures, including the Spanish President. Here are some extracts from the cards received.

During the recent Christmas and New Year celebrations, Spanish Falun Gong practitioners received more than 20 greeting cards and letters, from many prominent figures, including the Spanish President. Here are some extracts from the cards received.

"Please aware that the President is strongly concerned about the state of human rights in China. Therefore he keeps himself informed about the events in China on a regular basis. The human rights should be understood as universal and the violation of them condemned wherever it may occur."

"I have received your letter to the President dated 9th Dec. 2002 regarding the legislation of Article 23 in Hong Kong that has damaged basic human rights. We are very concerned about this and have studied it carefully."

"Amnesty International is investigating the recent detention of Dr. Charles Li, a U.S. citizen, by Chinese authorities...Amnesty International is also concerned about Dr. Li's health and is seeking assurances from the Chinese government that he is not being ill-treated."

"We appeal to you to allow Mr. Li the right to defend himself in a court of law, and to allow the correct judicial procedures to exonerate him from any wrongdoing, and to have him released immediately in the name of human rights."

Tinch Minter is a Cambridge-based playwright. After learning about the Jiang regime’s brutal persecution of Falun Dafa practitioners, she chose to portray her sympathy and concern by composing a play for two relatives of UK Dafa practitioners who are currently being illegally detained in China.

"Any form of organisation that holds a critical attitude toward the government will be relentlessly suppressed. Other organisations, which comment on Tibet or Taiwan are also oppressed. We all know that Falun Gong is being cruelly persecuted in China. This indicates the seriousness of the persecution there."

"In addition, the Union has on several occasions undertaken formal demarches to express concern about report of torture and ill treatment of followers of the Falun Gong movement who have been arrested, and has urged China to review harsh sentences imposed on them...Concern about the violations of the human rights of the followers of Falun Gong was also expressed in the conclusions of the General Affairs Council on Human Rights in China in March 2002."

"After hearing about and understanding the details of the plight of Falun Gong practitioners in China, I will insist on my stance and continue to respect their belief and guard their rights of expression."

"...The Chinese leader, Jiang Zemin has flouted his country’s laws. He is pursuing power and interest, fooling his own subjects, ganging together for illegal activities and cracking down on dissidents. Consequently, the party and social morality is on the decline and social problems and crimes are rampant..."

Mr. Chan is a 70-years old senior citizen who is full of kindness. In December 2001, Mr. Chan was visiting his relatives in Myanmar and also translating the book Zhuan Falun. He was arrested and sentenced to 7 years in prison by the Myanmar authorities solely because he unfurled a small banner that read "Truthfulness, Compassion and Tolerance" on the street to the airport when China's dictator Jiang was visiting Myanmar.

"The freedom of the press is threatened; the business world has fears for the conditions that have made Hong Kong a foremost financial centre and channel of capital to China’s rapid development; the Catholics and other churches are apprehensive; and at the centre of the storm are the practitioners of Falun Gong, the peaceful and non-violent group that has become the victim for the most massive persecution in human history."

"Chinese people throughout the world are currently celebrating the Chinese New Year in the time-honoured fashion, with dancing displays, parades, and the customary culinary delights, which the Chinese nation is renowned for. However for the millions of Falun Gong practitioners in China, these New Year celebrations have been tainted with fear and trepidation, as they have been for the previous three years since the government began its brutal persecution of Falun Gong."

"I am totally opposed to the introduction of Article 23 legislation of the Basic Law of Hong Kong. I believe that this would violate the basic rights and freedoms which we value so much in this country and which are fundamental to any civilised society."

"Britain's transfer of Hong Kong was agreed on the basis of continuation of traditional rights of residents to basic freedoms, and like many MPs I'm very concerned about the reports on these proposals."

"Since July 1999, the Chinese government has forbidden the movement of Falun Gong practitioners and has launched a repression against them. They are victims of an increasing use of torture in order to force them to renounce being part of the movement and reeducation through labour is largely used in the brutal campaign against them."

"In addition, the Union has on several occasions undertaken formal demarches to express concern about report of torture and ill treatment of followers of the Falun Gong movement who have been arrested, and has urged China to review harsh sentences imposed on them."

"I paid close attention and fully understand the document, which is about the Falun Gong practitioners who are victims and are being persecuted in the People’s Republic of China...Thank you for bringing this matter to my attention. I salute you for your efforts to respect human rights and safeguard democratic values."

"The European Union has, because of the insistence of The Netherlands and others, insisted, in dialogues with the authorities of Hong Kong SAR and in a public statement, on a secure safeguarding of the civil and political freedoms."

"What is the opinion of the Commission on the introduction of the controversial Article 23 legislation of anti-subversion law, and is the Commission concerned about the threat to the ability of those who wish to peacefully practise Falun Gong activites either in Hong Kong or in the rest of China to practise their beliefs unimpeded or without threat of arbitrary arrest?"

“In view of the restrictions on the freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and freedom of association, which the Chinese government plans to impose on the former British crown colony, what initiatives does the minister propose to take in order to ensure that the citizens of Hong Kong, which was handed over to the Chinese rulers in 1997, can continue to preserve their civil rights?”

'Tens of thousands of Falun Gong practitioners have been arrested. Several dozen have been convicted and imprisoned after unfair trials. Thousands have been assigned, without any judicial process, to 're-education through labour'. And several hundred may have died as a result of torture.'

The Foreign & Commonwealth Office Minister, Mr. Bill Rammell strongly expressed ..that the British government hopes the special district government will conduct a thorough and wide consultation and proceed with caution on the enactment process; otherwise the international community will have less confidence in Hong Kong, which would have negative impact on Hong Kong.

'Falun Gong practitioners held a vigil outside the Chinese Embassy for two days, to appeal against the cruel torture of Falun Gong practitioners in China. Four Chinese women participated in this worldwide activity today to protest against Jiang Zemin, [..] who outlawed the meditation practice of Falun Gong in 1999.'

PRACTITIONERS of the Falun Gong spiritual movement protested outside the Chinese Embassy yesterday over the alleged torture of fellow practitioners. They claim 46 people have died in labour camps in China since last November

'Barefoot, sitting cross-legged, with hands conjoined and eyes closed – that’s how young Poles, in an act of solidarity with persecuted Chinese practitioners of the ancient practice of Falun Gong, demonstrated yesterday in front of the Chinese embassy. They feared neither the cold nor the falling snow.'

"After reading these materials, I think Falun Gong practitioners are walking a road to return to their original, true self."

Even though the members of our “Centre” are not Falun Gong practitioners, we would like to express our deep respects toward practitioners who follow the principles of “Truthfulness, Compassion, and Tolerance”.

We think that Falun Gong is a method of personal cultivation that is beneficial to society. It can improve people’s health and upgrade their moral standards. This practice can beautify people’s hearts, improve interpersonal relationships, eliminate various habits that are harmful to the mind and body, and rectify the adverse effects of certain quasi-religious practices have had on the modern society (especially on young people).