Canadian Falun Gong Practitioners' Hunger Strike to Stop Chinese President's New "Shoot on Sight" and "Kill Without Pardon" Orders

Ottawa, Canada

March 13, 2002

Today, we have gathered at Ottawa's Parliament Hill in a symbolic fast without food for 36 hours. We are calling the immediate attention of our government, kind-hearted people, NGOs and the international community toward what is now a state of critical emergency and urgent crisis in the most severe escalation of violence thus far in the two years and eight months of brutal persecution against Falun Gong practitioners in China. Voices from Canada are urgently needed.

Following a surprise March 5 evening television broadcast of programs supportive of Falun Gong in northeastern China, a furious president Jiang Zemin ordered a series of executions targeting all persons involved as well as numerous other practitioners of Falun Gong throughout China. Jiang is said to have ordered, "Kill them without pardon," immediately following the event. Other cities and provinces across China have now reportedly compiled, following the president's command, lists of specific Falun Gong practitioners to execute. Over 100 Falun Gong practitioners in Changchun City have already been kidnapped and their whereabouts are now unknown.

Further evidence of the sharp escalation of persecution is indicated by a separate order handed down by top level Chinese officials shortly before the television broadcast, instructing police to openly shoot Falun Gong practitioners in the streets who are seen putting up banners or handing out flyers. This order is unprecedented even for a regime that shows absolutely no regard for human rights. The order was handed down without any adherence to legislative process. This amoral action demonstrates clearly and unequivocally the campaign of State Terrorism being conducted by the Jiang Zemin regime against innocent practitioners of Falun Gong.

At least three shooting cases have already been reported. On February 12, the first day of the Chinese New Year, Mishan City policeman Du Yongshan discovered Falun Gong practitioner Jiang Honglu posting Falun Gong literature at around 2 a.m. The policeman reportedly opened fire, and Jiang's leg was broken in the incident. On February 16, in Anshan City, police opened fire on three Falun Gong practitioners. One of the men was struck twice, the first bullet traveling straight through his upper thigh, the other grazing his face. Photographs of one shooting victim have been posted on www.faluninfo.net.

It has been two years and eight months since the persecution of Falun Gong started in China. When the persecution of Falun Gong began, practitioners initially adopted the standard means outlined in the Chinese Constitution of visiting Appeals Offices to present their case, petitioning the government to stop persecuting innocent people. Practitioners clarified to the Chinese government Falun Gong's truly peaceful, beneficial and apolitical nature. When Falun Gong practitioners were denied this right to appeal and when Appeals Offices became gates to labour camps (Amnesty International reported Appeals Offices even taking down their signs), Falun Gong practitioners then appealed peacefully for international support to resolve the situation. As the persecution in China escalated and harsh violence and torture was officially sanctioned and became prevalent, Falun Gong practitioners approached NGO's, human rights groups and the public for support. Through every step and every escalation of violence, Falun Dafa practitioners have used peaceful and rational means to appeal for an end to the persecution, keeping in mind the interest of society, the government and their own safety.

The peacefulness and determination of Falun Dafa practitioners has been acknowledged with successive Nobel Peace Prize nominations the past two years, awards from the United States' oldest human rights organization, Freedom House, the praise of law enforcement and governments around the world, hundreds of proclamations from Mayors and other government officials and the support of millions of people throughout society. Falun Dafa practitioners have achieved this because their pursuit is not for political power or self-interest but rather to espouse and protect the very values that Falun Dafa has brought to us--namely the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. Falun Dafa practitioners in China and around the world strive to uphold and protect these principles, dedicating their lives so that future generations may also benefit from the virtuous teachings of Falun Dafa.

Falun Dafa practitioners in China are now being shot in the streets and summary executions have been ordered. What appropriate avenue of appeal remains? This is why a peaceful, patient and rational group of people is now fasting at the steps of our capital: to demonstrate the urgency and the severity of the most severe escalation of violence against Falun Gong practitioners since the persecution began.

On March 18^th the UN Summit on Human Rights in Geneva will convene. If this inhuman persecution of Falun Gong, which has now reached unconscionable levels of ruthlessness and barbarity, is allowed to escape official condemnation, it will be an eternal stain on our world's history and a perpetual and deep shame to all UN member countries. Tabling a motion to censure China for these atrocities is not an option or a matter of choice; it is an absolute responsibility of the entire international community. It is also fundamental for Canada's future perception as a nation that upholds basic human rights and cherishes the basic values of Truth-Compassion-Forbearance, which are espoused by Falun Dafa.

We call on our Canadian government to initiate a resolution that condemns and censures China for its persecution of Falun Gong at the UN meeting beginning in Geneva next week. We appeal to all people to help stop president Jiang Zemin's "Shoot on Sight" and "Kill Without Pardon" orders and to rescue Falun Gong practitioners who are suffering persecution in China.

We participate in this 36 hour symbolic fast in the hopes that it may awaken your hearts and inspire you to do what is right.