"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."

'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.'

"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).

Amnesty International had appealed for the Prime Minister of the Federation to express his stance during his visit to China from December 29 to 31: anti-terrorism cannot be used as an excuse to harm internationally recognised human rights. Mr. Pleiter warned, “Silence will be thought of as acceptance of the Chinese leaders behaviour.”

"Supporters of the Tibetan cause wholeheartedly join the demonstration against this “anti-subversion law” in Hong Kong. Since Hong Kong was returned to China in 1997, basic liberties have been constantly decreased; freedom of thought, freedom of association, freedom of belief...movements like Falun Gong are being repressed more and more...this is why we support all initiatives that defend people’s fundamental right of freedom."

"Power, money and economy are treading on human rights. This vicious circle must be broken in as many regions as possible. A very good opportunity has been provided to Zürich – to highlight the issue of Falun Gong in China. Human rights have been squashed in China, especially issues of conscience and belief."

The Austrian Christian Solidarity International (CSI) is a Christian human rights organization. To arouse people’s concern over those being cruelly persecuted in China, and ensure people do not forget practitioners being incarcerated and physically abused, a Christmas card campaign was launched on December 24.

'Article 23 will endanger the integrity of Hong Kong’s [financial and judicial] systems and will block the free flow and exchange of information and ideas. By doing this, Article 23 will endanger economic vitality and stability in Hong Kong, things which have always been the mainstay and strength of the region.'

When talking about the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners, the president of the International Human Rights Association condemned the Chinese government as a “dictatorship without morals,” and the persecution as a “vicious circle of violence.”

If the Hong Kong government wishes to continue to be seen as a democratic, open and free society then it must abandon the implementation of this proposed law. Not to do so threatens all those who live and work in Hong Kong, including those of its citizens who wish to practice Falun Gong, and those who wish to defend the right of others to do so.

'We appeal in the strongest terms to those in positions of power in Hong Kong not to allow China to exert its influence on the administration of affairs in Hong Kong. They must stand up to China and maintain the ‘One country – two systems’ principle in the spirit in which it was agreed in 1997.'

"As they stand, the proposals go far beyond what is needed to implement Article 23 of the Basic Law and may increase restrictions on fundamental human rights," the international human rights organisation said. "There is a danger that those exercising these rights could be imprisoned as prisoners of conscience."

"If the Government's aspiration to become Asia's World City is to be fulfilled then it must ensure that the rights and freedoms (as outlined in the Joint Declaration and the Basic Law) are protected, the rule of law remains intact, and the "one country two systems" principle is upheld."

"Amnesty International is disappointed that the need to implement Article 23 of the Basic Law has not led to the removal of archaic laws and the development of legislation in line with human rights and international laws and standards. Instead the authorities have included more offences, many of which have the potential to conflict with human rights standards."

Amnesty International is seriously concerned for the safety of sisters Luo Rong (also known as Yoko Kaneko), and Luo Zhen, who are at serious risk of torture or ill treatment...

She was detained while handing out Falun Gong leaflets to passers-by in Beijing...Amnesty International considers her to be a prisoner of conscience and is calling for her immediate and unconditional release.

Ms Zeng fled China after being incarcerated in a labour camp for twelve months because she is an adherent of Falun Gong. She is currently in Australia seeking asylum. Her attempts to ascertain why her husband was arrested and his present whereabouts have been unsuccessful. As she notes, her husband is not a follower of Falun Gong, he is non-political and is a businessman by profession.

This is the text of a letter from United Auto Workers President Ron Gettelfinger to President Bush urging him to advocate for the freedom of imprisoned trade unionists in China.

On Monday 23rd September, International Human Rights Organisations urged the European Union to take an uncompromising stand and oppose the Chinese government’s suppression of Falun Gong and other minority groups.

"If Article 23 becomes law, it would mean the complete end of the Hong Kong people’s freedoms of speech, belief and expression. The adoption of an anti-subversion law based on Article 23 will do nothing more than extend the ability of Jiang Zemin’s regime to violate human rights as well as persecute Falun Gong and other peaceful democratic groups in Hong Kong."

"The international community cannot remain silent in the face of these terrible violations of human rights against a numerous and peaceful minority."

We believe that all civilised Western nations should unite in condemnation of Jiang Zemin’s policy of persecution [against Falun Gong] and should show him in no uncertain terms that he must end this policy immediately.

Whether you believe in Falun Gong or not is not the issue at stake. The issue is that an oppressive regime cannot be allowed to continue its policy of state terrorism against its own citizens. We must do all in our power to stop the killing, stop the torture and stop the persecution.

..Human Rights Watch was quoted as saying, "The charge that Falungong threatens the stability of China does not hold up.... Its claim that belief in Falungong is a public health menace is equally bogus. The danger to health comes from the treatment its practitioners receive at the hands of the police and prison officials."

The group says in its campaign to eradicate Falungong, Chinese officials imprisoned thousands of practitioners and used torture and psychological pressure to force recantations.

This persecution goes against all the principles of Truth, Compassion and Forbearance, which are followed by all Falun Gong practitioners, and which should be at the heart of all human existence and thought.

The persecution must stop immediately.

We, the Friends of Falun Gong Europe, make a heartfelt appeal to you to make a humanitarian judgment on this issue. We are going to stand shoulder to shoulder with Falun Gong practitioners in and outside China to the very end, and we believe it is our obligation to continue this humanitarian effort to help to bring about an end to the persecution. Any human being with a human heart should and must stop this persecution now.

We collected so many signatures that day. The AI head said that she would co-operate with local practitioners and tried to achieve more for Falun Gong practitioners being persecuted in Mainland China.

Following the terrible acts of terrorism which took place in America on September 11th, it is our view that the actions of the Chinese government towards Falun Gong practitioners over the last 2 years are also considered to be state terrorism.

Amnesty International is gravely concerned by the allegations of state sanctioned violence against Falun Gong practitioners. The organisation's concerns about the government's campaign against the group include the arbitrary detention of thousands of practitioners - whether in "study classes", regular detention centres or labour camps - unfair trials, and numerous allegations of torture of detained practitioners. These concerns have been documented in a number of reports published by Amnesty International.

Excerpts from AI's reports on the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China.

Extracts from speeches made by representatives of two German NGOs stating their deep concern at the treatment of Falun Gong practitioners in China.

Letter from the Society for Threatened Peoples