"I cannot do anything but agree that the treatment meted out to those who belong to Falun Gong, and also to people who are in favour or belong to other persuasions and those with different views, is, from the viewpoint of human rights, unacceptable. That is why I join the voices of those who challenge the representatives of the Peoples Republic of China to re-evaluate their policy toward such groups of citizens and end their persecution."

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.“

"My name is Yoko Kaneko. I was born in China. I am now residing in Japan. I am a practitioner of Falun Gong. I travelled back to China from Japan on May the 24th 2002. I was arrested and put in labour camp without trial only for handing out Falun Gong fliers on the streets in Beijing. I was released after one and a half years. Here I would like to share some of my sufferings while under detention."

"Since Jiang’s group began suppressing Falun gong in 1999, authorities in Zhangjiagkuo City, Hebei Province, have followed Jiang’s persecution instructions to the letter. In addition to illegal imprisonment and sending a huge number of Falun Gong practitioners to forced labour camps, over ten practitioners have been persecuted to death in that city. Among them were two of Chen Aizhong’s family members, who were tortured to death in succession, Chen Aizhong and his younger sister Chen Hongping."

"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."

Ms. Yoko Kaneko, a Japanese Falun Gong practitioner who was imprisoned in a Chinese forced labour camp for one and half a years, gave an account at a forum of the United Nations’ Human Rights Commission (UNHRC) of the brutal torture and brainwashing that she has experienced. She called for an immediate end to the persecution of Falun Gong.

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.

On the afternoon of April the 2nd, the American delegation attending the meeting of the U.N. Commission on Human Rights organised a seminar regarding the resolution condemning China’s human rights abuses. Those attending included representatives of the United Nation’s member states, human rights organisations, Falun Gong practitioners and members of Family Church etc. The auditorium did not have a vacant seat.

This resolution points out that China's human rights record continued worsening in the past year. Examples include the on-going repression of spiritual and political groups such as Falun Gong practitioners, Tibetans, Catholics, Protestants, the unjust arrest and detention of spiritual leaders and political dissidents, harsh conditions in prisons and labour camps, forced-labour in labour camps, coercive family planning policies, and deprivation of fundamental freedoms of expression, assembly and press.

On April the 2nd 2004, during the U.N. Human Rights Commission in Geneva, the U.S. Mission to the United Nations held a consultation to discuss the draft resolution on China’s human rights abuses, which the U.S. government planned to introduce to the U.N. Human Rights Conference. More than one hundred representatives from various governments’ and non-governmental organisations' missions to the United Nations participated in this consultation.

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.”

"The Liberal Democrat party recognise the on-going struggles of the Falun Gong practitioners, and have written to the UK government on their behalf in the past. I have also contacted the French authorities personally, and requested of the Directorate General of the National Police that an investigation into this matter be conducted and that steps be taken to ensure such a situation will not arise in the future."

On March 22nd, the US government put forward a resolution condemning China’s human rights. In response, the Chinese government not only put forward a White Paper to defend its position, but also tried to persuade some member African nations to shun the resolution. To gauge the reaction of the German society and government, RFA’s correspondent interviewed a Law scholar from the University of China, Ms Zheng Zhihong, now living in Berlin, on the evening of Tuesday 30th.

'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.'

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.”

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.

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.

"I hereby offer my support in your fight for the respect of human rights in China. I also express my support for women and men who take action worldwide in favour of human rights. Those who practise discrimination, suppression, imprisonment, physical torture and psychological torture, those who aim at the elimination of women and men because they belong to a particular philosophical, political or religious trend, must meet with wholehearted disapproval and condemnation."

"Torture is unacceptable and total prohibition against all inhuman treatment that undermines the dignity of the individual must be promoted in the most forceful manner possible. Torture is one of the most shameful attacks against human rights."

“This cooperative human rights dialogue will make sense only after China has the sincerity to improve its human rights. Nonetheless, the cruel persecution participated and inflicted by all levels of the entire Chinese government system on Falun Gong has lasted more than four years. The facts showed that the Chinese government doesn’t have any sincerity to improve its human rights.”

"The allegations in question are that the Parisian authorities arrested, and not simply stopped for identity checks, handcuffed and detained several UK Falun Gong practitioners for up to five hours until after the afternoon’s parade had finished...As I stressed in my earlier letter, these allegations, if true, amount to a serious violation of basic human rights."

"Thank you for your recent letter regarding the arrest of the Falun Gong practitioners during the Chinese New Year celebrations in Paris. I too am horrified by the actions of the French authorities and have written to the French Ambassador to the EU to highlight my concerns. I have asked him to raise the matter with the French government and requested an apology from the French authorities for this episode."

"I wrote to the French Ambassador, Gerard Errera, on January 30th raising my concerns over the appalling treatment of the practitioners. Furthermore, I have asked that these allegations be investigated as soon as possible, and that the Parisian authorities clarify the grounds on which the arrests were made."

"I received your letter, from which I was informed that there are hundreds of thousands of Falun Gong practitioners being seriously persecuted in China, and their basic human rights are being violated. The Alcudia City Government, which is led by me, would like to make the following statement: we are completely against this serious violation of human rights and we condemn it."

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!”

"Falun Gong adheres to the three principles of “Truthfulness, Compassion and Tolerance” and denying them the right to express these peaceful ideals is an obvious encroachment on their freedom of speech. Since Communist leader Jiang Zemin outlawed Falun Gong in 1999, 870 deaths have resulted as well as many more tortures and imprisonments. France’s contribution to this maltreatment of members of Falun Gong is disheartening and sets an extremely dangerous precedent."

"The blatant denial of the participation of Falun Gong groups in the New Years Parade and the repression of their right to expression and peaceful protest by the French authorities is shocking and wrong. That the French government might have conceded to the request of Jiang Zemin to suppress and silence Falun Gong is extremely worrying indeed."

"I am aware that Falun Gong practitioners have long endured brutal persecution by the Chinese authorities and I applaud your continuing peaceful efforts to protest and reform the regime’s actions. It is regrettable that members of your group must also endure maltreatment in France, a country that professes tolerance and human rights."

"The government should however also be voicing strong condemnation of the on-going persecution of Falun Gong in China. According to NGO reports the verified number of deaths of Falun Gong practitioners in China has now reached more than 880 people. New reports of brutal tortures continue to be received everyday from China. The Irish government should use their Presidency of the EU to take a stand and make a strong request urging China to desist in its persistent abuse of Falun Gong practitioners' rights immediately."

"As you certainly know, the EU meets with China biannually to hold a joint dialogue on human rights. Violations of the individual rights of members of Falun Gong in China are among the issues regularly raised, under the banner of freedom of assembly, freedom of expression and freedom of belief. We will again raise these concerns at the next session of the EU-China Human Rights Dialogue to be held in Dublin on 26 and 27 February."

"I carefully read your letter introducing the information about the Spanish Falun Dafa Association and the terrible situation that Falun Gong practitioners face under persecution in China...I will take every possible opportunity to raise your issue to the relevant people in Spain and abroad, and to appeal for the end of this persecution against Falun Gong practitioners in China."

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.”

"I am writing as a European Parliamentary Friend of the Falun Gong to protest the arrest and handcuffing of practitioners who were peacefully demonstrating in the Champs Elysees on Saturday 24th January. There are serious allegations that this was done at the request of the Chinese Embassy. France as a member of the EU and Council of Europe is committed to the fundamental right of peaceful political protest. I find the allegations of giving in to pressure from the Chinese authorities anxious to deny any platform to protesters during the parade deeply regrettable. I do hope that the request by Falun Gong for an apology from the French authorities will be shortly forthcoming."

“The EU, in all political dialogue meetings with China, underlines the importance it attaches to respect for human rights, including the freedom of religion and belief and that it will continue to do so on every possible occasion. At every session of the human rights dialogue with China, the EU urges the Chinese authorities to respect the human rights of the followers of Falun Gong."

"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."

"I am very happy that this morning the European Parliament passed a resolution regarding the preparation for the UN Human Rights Conference in Geneva. The resolution urged the European Union to initiate a motion at this year’s Human Rights Conference to condemn the human rights abuses in China and a series of other countries. In the resolution, the persecution of Falun Gong was mentioned in the text about China. Let’s see if the EU member states would make some active responses to European Parliament's initiatives."

"I have been in close contact with my colleague Michael Cashman who has written to Ambassador Sellal, head of the Permanent Representation of France to the European Union, not only to express our concerns that this may be a continuation of the campaign by the Chinese authorities against Falun Gong, but also to raise our concerns about the behaviour of the French Police during the New Year parade. This is an issue we have been monitoring for some time and we will continue to do so."

"I am aware of the Chinese government’s policy on persecuting the practitioners of Falun Gong. My colleagues and I have made representations to the Chinese authorities regarding this issue on a number of occasions and I also raised it myself when I visited Beijing on a British Council sponsored visit eighteen months ago. I am therefore particularly disappointed to see that the French government appear to be seeking to curry favour with the Chinese authorities by the actions to which you have referred concerning the Chinese New Year parade."

"From this story, I can tell that some French Government officials' orders to "ban yellow scarves" and arrest Falun Dafa practitioners during Hu Jintao's visit does not represent the attitude of all French Government officials or the French people. As a French citizen, I feel ashamed. Why have the policemen from the free land of France arrested their own citizens and followed the Chinese regime’s threats and pressure to arrest Falun Gong practitioners without any justification?"

On the 9th of February, Fingal County Council passed a resolution condemning China’s persecution of Falun Gong and strongly arguing that the Chinese Government release the two Chinese students Liu Feng and Yang Fang and help them return to Ireland to continue their studies. At the same time, two other councils passed similar resolutions.

'On the 9th of February 2004, Fingal County Council passed a resolution condemning China’s persecution of Falun Gong and strongly arguing that the Chinese Government release the two Chinese students Liu Feng and Yang Fang and help them return Ireland to continue their studies. At the same time, two other councils, the South Dublin Council and the Dun Laoghaire Council, have also passed similar resolutions.'

Outside the parliament building, the practitioners’ appeal and exercise demonstration was peaceful and serene. Local media reporters were present and MEPs from different countries stopped to get more information from the practitioners. Lots of practitioners met MEPs from their own countries who said they would pay close attention to the recent incidents in France.

"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."

“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.”

'On Monday February the 9th, councillors representing Fingal County Council and Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council will vote whether to accept a motion to condemn the persecution of Falun Dafa Practitioners in China. The motion urges the Minister for Foreign Affairs Brian Cowen to demand that Dun Laoghaire students Liu Feng and Yang Fang are permitted to return to Ireland to continue their studies during the Human-Rights Dialogue with China held in Dublin on the 26th and 27th of February.'

"Could the Presidency call on the French authorities to clarify the arrest policy used during this official visit. Could the Presidency also urge the French authorities to respect the fundamental rights of all European citizens to the right to freedom of expression and the right to freedom of assembly and freedom from arbitrary arrest."

“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."

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."

At 4pm local time in Paris yesterday, Minister Delegate for Local Freedoms Mr. Patrick Devedjian met with French Falun Dafa Association President Mr. Tang Hanlong at the French Ministry of the Interior. Mr. Devedjian expressed that the unreasonable acts conducted by the police against Falun Gong practitioners will not happen again.

Member of the European Parliament Roger Helmer wrote a letter on January 23rd to the Ambassador of the French Embassy in England regarding the incident in which Falun Gong practitioners were stopped from joining the Chinese New Year celebration parade in Paris. He pointed out that the attempt to extend such a persecution to member countries of the European Union is completely unacceptable. “Although most of us will never practise Falun Gong ourselves, the very democratic principles of the French Republic are there to protect peaceful minority lifestyle choices."