"If this isn't terrorism, what is?" asks mother of 9-year-old

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - October 31, 2002[ http://www.faluninfo.net/ ]

SYDNEY, October 31, 2002 (Falun Dafa Information Centre) -- Mr. Jianwei Cao disappeared in Beijing a few days after his wife, who lives in Australia, filed a lawsuit against the leader of China, Jiang Zemin, for implementing "State Terrorism" to persecute Falun Gong practitioners.

On October 25, Mr. Cao, a former manager at Beijing University, was taken by police from his home, according to his wife Jennifer Zheng Zeng. His whereabouts are unknown. Their 9-year-old daughter, Shidan Cao, was left at home without mother or father by Beijing police until relatives could arrive.

On October 21, 4 days before his disappearance, his wife Jennifer, who is seeking asylum in Australia, was part of a legal case (read report) submitted to the International Criminal Court and two Committees in the United Nations against the Chairman of China and his cohorts for their campaign of "State Terrorism" against Falun Gong.

Mrs. Zeng, 36, holds a M.S. degree from Beijing University. In May 2000, she was detained and then sentenced without trial to 1 year in a forced labour camp for writing a letter to her in-laws explaining why she chose to practice Falun Gong.

Mrs. Zeng was forced to work over 21 hours per day, including making toy rabbits for Nestlé to export. She was brainwashed, shocked with electric batons, and forced to squat for up to 15 hours in the burning sun. She had been forcibly separated from her family for almost 3 years.

Husband Held Hostage by Beijing Police?

Mrs. Zeng said: "Given that my husband is not a Falun Gong practitioner, I can imagine no other reason for his arrest except for the purpose to keep him as a hostage to threaten me. I would like to ask: if this is not terrorism, what is?"

A group statement from the plaintiffs in the UN case reads: "What is so shocking about this recent event is that Mr. Jianwei Cao is not a Falun Dafa practitioner and is still being victimized." Previously, only Falun Gong practitioners have been detained for bringing legal action against Jiang.

Mrs. Zeng continued, "If I found my neighbor had gone mad and was trying to murder his children, I would be able to call the police for help. But when the president of a nation is murdering thousands of innocent people, what should I do? What should the international community do? What kind of role should the UN play in maintaining world order? I see this legal action of ours as a historic significance that may not be fully recognized at this moment."

On October 22, Jiang Zemin was served with another lawsuit (read report) while visiting Chicago, charging genocide under United States Human Rights Statutes for role in the persecution of Falun Gong.

To request an interview with Jennifer Zheng Zeng, please contact Michael Pearson-Smith (61) 409-500-271 or Michael Molnar (61) 409-500-271 in Melbourne.

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Background

Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a practice of meditation and exercises with teachings based on the universal principle of "Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance." It is a practice that was taught in private for thousands of years before being made public in 1992 by Mr. Li Hongzhi. Falun Gong has roots in traditional Chinese culture, but it is distinct and separate from other practices such as the religions of Buddhism and Taoism. Since its introduction in 1992, it quickly spread by word of mouth throughout China, and is now practiced in over 50 countries.

With government estimates of as many as 100 million practicing Falun Gong, China's President Jiang Zemin outlawed the peaceful practice in July 1999, fearful of anything touching the hearts and minds of more citizens than the Communist Party. Unable to crush the spirit of millions who had experienced improved health and positive life changes from Falun Gong, Jiang's regime has intensified its propaganda campaign to turn public opinion against the practice while quietly imprisoning, torturing and even murdering those who practice it.

The Falun Dafa Information Center has verified details of 509 deaths since the persecution of Falun Gong in China began in 1999. Government officials inside China, however, report that the actual death toll is well over 1,600, while expert sources estimate that figure to be much higher. Hundreds of thousands have been detained, with more than 100,000 being sentenced to forced labour camps, typically without trial.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT THE FALUN DAFA INFORMATION CENTRE - Contacts: Michael Pearson-Smith (61) 409-500-271, Michael Molnar (61) 409-500-271, Gail Rachlin 917-501-4441, Erping Zhang 646-533-6147. Email: faluninfoctr@nycmail.com, Website: http://www.faluninfo.net/