October 2, 2000

In the aftermath of the beatings and arrests of nearly one thousand non-violent Falun Gong practitioners in Beijing's Tiananmen Square during Chinese National day (October 1st), Falun Gong is appealing to the international community and human rights groups to speak out against an escalating crackdown in China directed by Chinese President Jiang Zemin.

"Ever since Jiang Zemin returned to China after his appearance at the UN Millennial Summit and the Senate's passage of the trade bill, he has escalated his vicious crackdown on spiritual practitioners," says Gail Rachlin, a spokesperson for Falun Gong. "On the basis of direct contact with Chinese practitioners we have reports of a massive reign of terror including a dramatic increase in brutality, and illegal searches and seizures. We appeal to the US government, the UN and human rights groups to protest this escalating wave of violence."

TV and press reports have shown the growing repression, which includes blatant beatings of practitioners by police in Tiananmen Square. Less visible have been widespread detentions in the cities of Dalian and Changchun. All travelers to Beijing are being searched and ordered to curse and denounce Falun Gong to prove they are not practitioners.

This campaign is a response to a call by China's President Jiang Zemin who demanded that Falun Gong be "eliminated within three months." It is this order that has driven practitioners into the streets to appeal against the crackdown, and for legal recognition.

A number of experts on Chinese politics have called Jiang the architect responsible for the assault on Falun Gong that has now lasted 14 months.

"He is the one responsible for the deaths of more than 50 practitioners and the arrest of fifty thousand while blaming Falun Gong," adds Rachlin. "We believe this is a personal vendetta on his part perhaps because his ban has not worked, and he has lost face to the leadership for the failure of his policy. He is insecure-and lashing out."

"We call upon Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, the United Nations, all the governments around the world, concerned media and other organizations, to act immediately to respond to this crisis in China. We urge China to adhere to the rule of law, to respect its own constitution and the will of its own people, and to uphold the United Nations Human Rights declarations it has signed," she added.

For more information and to interview a Falun Gong spokesperson, call: Falun Dafa Information Center: Gail Rachlin 212-501-8080, Feng Yuan 917-912-3301, or Levi Browde 914-720-0963.

Email: faluninfoctr@nycmail.com Website: www.faluninfo.net