Statement from Practitioners in Hong Kong in Response to the Verdict of August 15th

August 15, 2002: This trial has nothing to do with obstruction, but rather, is an extension of the persecution of Falun Gong the from Mainland to Hong Kong. It is the persecution of Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance. The charges were made by the police to please the LOCPG or Jiang Zemin. For everyone, it should be clear that it can't be obstruction if one occupies only 7m of a total area of 140 m . That is supposed to lead to hindrances? The basic law in Hong Kong is now undermined and the freedoms of speech and assembly are no longer guaranteed.

Our lawyer, Paul Harris, said in his Submission: "If a small peaceful demonstration which has not actually obstructed anyone is not to be allowed at one of the most obvious locations for demonstrations in Hong Kong, the rights of free speech and freedom of assembly in Hong Kong have been not merely restricted, but dramatically curtailed. Such curtailment cannot be justified on any of the grounds listed in Articles 16 or 17 of the Bill of Rights."

The British Foreign, Secretary Jack Straw, stated, "It is vital... that the basic rights and freedoms afforded to the people of Hong Kong through the Joint Declaration and the Basic Law continue to be upheld." "[The British government] believes that freedom of assembly and freedom of speech must not be compromised."

In calling upon the Hong Kong authority to drop the charges, Lord Moyne of the United Kingdom said on 8th of August: "A guilty verdict, however, would show that there is really only one system, not two, and that system is a barefaced tyranny."

We are deeply disappointed that the judge acted by command of the Chinese government instead of applying the British Law. The judge, Mr Simon Wong, has acted very biased throughout the process, and we requested that he step down from this case. Unfortunately he refused this. Is the judge conscious of the consequences of his verdict? It seems not!

Hong Kong has now adapted its laws and rights to the instructions of Jiang Zemin. But the fact is, that through this verdict more innocent practitioners are going to be killed in Mainland China. That is even worse. Is that right? Could that be fair?

We only wanted to tell China the truth and request them to stop the violent persecution of Falun Gong practitioners. Therefore we came from very far and now it ends so sadly. We never would have expected that a government with a long tradition of human rights would give in to the pressure of such an obviously tyrannical leader.

Dear citizens of Hong Kong, stand up for justice; it is your future. Because we were judged guilty through this peaceful demonstration, the freedoms of speech and assembly will be limited in the future.

We do not accept this verdict, and will appeal to a higher court. We are innocent, just the same as the many millions of Falun Gong practitioners in mainland China and around the world. Is it an offence to save good people? Is it an offence if people in China believe in Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance? Can we watch silently when a government pursues, tortures and murders innocent people? Is it correct, when people who are also aware of that, restrict our attempts to clarify the truth, just to protect their power?

It is in fact incredible that this process has lasted 26 days. Furthermore, the prosecution was spearheaded by two top senior prosecutors. This in itself proves that the Chinese Government has influenced this trial in order to make sure it gets the verdict it wants against Falun Gong.

We hope the citizens of Hong Kong are awakening and standing up against this unfair process.

We will continue our appeals until the end of this unnecessary persecution, regardless of the pressure. The universal principle of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance bring hope for all mankind. No amount of hatred can crush our compassionate hearts, and no propaganda can forever hide the truth. The world's people are awakening and standing up. Together, we will end this persecution.

Thank you very much for your support.