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Falun
Gong
URGENT ACTION Alert
Urgent
Action Alert for Changchun, China
added
March 30, 2002
Email
Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs
Beijing-Style
Repression & Police Tactics Emerge in Hong Kong
URGENT
ACTION ALERT - PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
Fear for Safety/Fear of Torture or iIl-treatment -
Falun Gong practitioners in Changchun City
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Sample Email to Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister: Honourable William Graham, Minister of Foreign Affairs email: Graham.B@parl.gc.ca I am deeply concerned about the current situation in Changchun City, China. Reports say that following a surprise TV broadcast in Changchun on March 5th, which described Chinese President Jiang's persecution of Falun Gong, Jiang issued orders to shoot Falun Gong practitioners on sight. In addition, reliable sources inside China indicate that recently over 5,000 people believed to be practitioners of Falun Gong have been detained in a vast and unprecedented police sweep in Changchun City. These sources report that dozens or as many as 100 or more might be dead as a result of police brutality and torture. It is difficult at this time, however, to contact local officials or confirm individual reports, as China's authorities do everything in their power to block such information from getting out. I am told that the alarming facts are:
Mr. Minister, now is the time to raise international attention to this specific issue, as there is an escalating massacre of innocent people in Changchun City, and I fear hundreds, perhaps thousands more, may be lost. I urge you to raise this issue before the Canadian public and our media, and with China's leader Jiang Zemin. Canada cannot, and should not, tolerate this rampant and arrogant disregard for human rights from any country, let alone a country with whom we have such strong economic ties. Your respectfully,
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URGENT
ACTION ALERT - PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
(Ed. note: since this alert was issued on March 15, 2002,
inside sources now attribute more than 5,000 detained and dozens,
possibly 100 dead) see updated story) Fear for Safety/Fear of Torture or iIl-treatment Falun Gong practitioners in Changchun City Dozens of suspected members of the Falun Gong spiritual movement have reportedly been detained during a security crackdown in Changchun City, Jilin Province. Amnesty International believes they are at serious risk of torture or ill-treatment. A major police operation was launched after a group of Falun Gong members took over a state-owned cable television company in Changchun on 5 March and broadcast pro-Falun Gong films. Local police reportedly stated on 8 March that one person had been arrested in connection with the incident and that two other suspects were being sought. Other media reports suggested that three people had been detained, but no further details have been made available. Since then, police "stop-and-search" checkpoints have reportedly been established across the city and dozens of alleged Falun Gong practitioners have been detained.
Tens of thousands of Falun Gong practitioners have been arbitrarily detained in China since the spiritual movement was banned as a "threat to social and political stability" in July 1999. Some have been charged with crimes and sentenced after unfair trials, while others have been sent to labour camps without trial. Many of them are reported to have been tortured or ill-treated in detention. Falun Gong sources have claimed that a special government taskforce, the "610 office", established to lead the campaign against the Falun Gong, issued unwritten instructions in 2001 allowing the police and other officials to go beyond legal restraints in the campaign, discharging them of responsibility if a Falun Gong member dies in detention due to beatings. Over 350 Falun Gong practitioners are reported to have died in custody since the 1999 ban. The programmes broadcast while the Changchun TV station was in the hands of Falun Gong members included footage of the US-based Falun Gong spiritual leader, Li Hongzhi, who was born in Changchun. They also included a film accusing the government of staging the incident in Tiananmen Square last year when alleged Falun Gong members set themselves on fire. Footage of the incident has been broadcast widely in China in an apparent attempt to turn public opinion against the group.
Please send appeals to arrive as quickly as possible, in Chinese, English or your own language:
You can download, view and/or print, pre-addressed, written letters to Chinese officials from this pinpoint URL: http://dawn.thot.net/docs/hk.doc Urgent
Action Alert for Changchun, China - Email Canadian Minister of
Foreign Affairs Letter to Premier of the People's Republic of China Letter to the Governor of the Jilin Provincial People's Government Letter to the Director of the Jilin Provincial Department of Public Security
PLEASE SEND APPEALS IMMEDIATELY ... Before 26 April 2002.
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PERSECUTION FACTS
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378 Falun Gong practitioners have died as a result of police torture.
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500 + Falun Gong practioners have been sentenced to Prisons
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1,000 + Falun Gong practioners have been sent to Psychiatric Hospitals
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20,000 + Falun Gong practioners have been sent to Labour Camps
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100,000 + Falun Gong practioners have been Arrested
TOP of page
Backgrounder
The crackdown on Falun Gong in China is one of the most severe and extensive human rights tragedies in the world today. The brutality only escalates. To date, over 323 innocent people have been tortured to death.Imagine being imprisoned and tortured by your own government, with no trial, no voice, and no appeal - for no reason but the spiritual faith you choose to keep.
This is the plight of tens of thousands of innocent people in China today - people just like you and me - labourers, housewives, students, doctors, farmers.
Like many other groups being persecuted in China, Falun Gong is unable to effectively get the story of their suffering out to the world through the tightly controlled Chinese media. That is why it is up to people like you and me to speak out for them.Rescuing Falun Gong practitioners is not just helping victims of persecution. The current regime in China is waging a massive campaign to turn the entire population and every agent of state power against this peaceful and highly moral practice.
School children and students applying to universities must make statements against Falun Gong. Even ordinary citizens attempting to board a train have been required to curse Falun Gong or step on a picture of the teacher, Li Hongzhi, before being allowed in the station.
The regime subjects practitioners to severe brainwashing and torture in order to have them renounce the principles of Falun Gong - Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance.
Can the world risk having an entire country, the most populous one on earth, turned against these priciples? Does this not pose a grave danger to world peace?
SOS! implies URGENCY. It is with the utmost sense of urgency and moral obligation that we must all do our part to help bring this senseless torture and killing to an end.
As always, the greatest weapon of the world's oppressors is secrecy. Evil thrives in the dark. But in the words of Justice Brandeis, "sunlight is the most powerful of all disinfectants."
The only way to stop Chinese President Jiang Zemin in his shameless crusade to destroy these decent people is to shine a light on his actions.
To find out what you can do to help, please visit the :"How You Can Help" page of this website
About the Falun Gong (aka as Falun Dafa)
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Falun Dafa, also known as Falun Gong, is a "cultivation practice" rooted in ancient Chinese tradition. It consists of two main parts: the principles and the exercises. Practitioners cultivate, or improve, their mind, body and spirit by incorporating into their daily lives the teachings of Falun Dafa, based on the universal principle of "Truthfulness - Compassion - Forbearance." As well, they regularly practise the five sets of gentle exercises.
Falun Dafa emphasizes the cultivation of moral qualities in daily life. Practitioners lead normal family and work lives as responsible, contributing members of society. Whenever in conflict with others, a practitioner strives to look inside for self-improvement and become a better person under all circumstances.
Practitioners also strive to take personal gains lightly. Practising Falun Dafa has helped many people turn away from drugs, alcohol, and violence. Through their efforts at improving moral qualities, many practitioners have experienced vast improvements in their health and peacefulness and stress relief in their lives.
The profound principles and health benefits of Falun Gong have quickly and widely spread the practice worldwide. Since being introduced to the general public in 1992, it has attracted 100 million people of all ages and from all walks of life and cultural, social, and economic backgrounds in more than 40 countries around the world. At the same time, Falun Dafa is gaining worldwide recognition and regard, especially in Asia, Australia, Europe, and North America.
There is no membership or obligations and one can join or leave the practice at any time. Falun Dafa has no political affiliation or intentions and no religious formality, rituals or worship.
THE BOOK AND THE EXERCISES
The practice of Falun Dafa is simple, yet profound and effective. It consists primarily of two components: self-improvement through studying Falun Dafa teachings, and performing Falun Dafa's five sets of gentle exercises. The exercises, which include a meditation, are easy to learn, enjoyable, and at the same time both relaxing and energizing. Many students of Falun Dafa enjoy doing them together as a group outdoors.
Mr. Li Hongzhi has published many books on Falun Dafa. Zhuan Falun is the most systematic and essential guide, while Falun Gong is an introductory book with step-by-step illustrations of the exercises. Both books are available in multi-languages from bookstores and libraries, or they can be downloaded from our website. There is also an exercise instruction video available.
"They cultivate the will to live in peace with themselves and in harmony with the universe, thus learning compassion for others and helping to create a more open and tolerant society."
- Her Excellency Adrienne Clarkson, Governor General of Canada
"Falun Dafa has as its aims the refinement of both the mind and the body, using the idea of Zhen-Shan-Ren, which means `Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance'. There are certainly principles which resonate with many Canadians."
- Herb Gray, Deputy Prime Minister of Canada
"I am proud to support your commitment to the health and well-being of people from all social backgrounds, races and religions."
- Sheila Copps, Minister of Canadian Heritage
"I had been teaching Taichi and studying various Qigong practices for more than 40 years when I started looking into Falun Dafa. I now tell ALL my students to practice Falun Dafa."
- Mr. Da Liu, age 95, Taichi master who first introduced Taichi to north America, and author of several books on longevity and health."As I read Zhuan Falun, it's like a rebirth. Everything is the same, yet everything is different. I am awakening to a new world, and words fall short of explaining it."
- K. Harmon, Orlando practitioner
All Falun Dafa activities are organized by volunteers and they are all free of charge. There is no membership and no donations are accepted. To learn more about Falun Dafa, please contact us.
DAWN Ontario Friends of the Falun Gong
http://dawn.thot.net/Falun_Gong.html
Resources:
Internet Email to Fax addresses
for 37th Parliament Members of the House of CommonsA full listing of Ontario MPPs with contact information is available
on the Government of Ontario website at www.ontla.on.ca/Members/mailing_addresses/index.htm
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