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On October 24, 2005, Falun Gong practitioners in
Thailand came to the Chinese Embassy to deliver a "Falun Dafa
Association
Announcement" that was published on October 9, 2005. The announcement
warned those persons who joined the persecution of Falun Gong to stop
the
persecution, abandon the evil path, and choose to be good, to ensure a
future
free from punishment for their crimes.
The practitioners from Thailand read the announcement in front of the
Embassy.
The Announcement said:
"The persecution of persons based solely on their practice of the
principles of "Truthfulness, Benevolence, and Forbearance" is
unconscionable. At the beginning of this persecution, many high-ranking
officials in the government and CCP disagreed with Jiang's policy
of
persecution, or dealt with the persecution passively. Some even
resisted. Many
high-ranking officials also practiced Falun Gong. During the past six
years,
through peaceful resistance and a courageous degree of endurance, Falun
Gong
practitioners have clarified the truth to the people the world over.
People who
were previously deceived have awakened or are in the process of
learning the
facts. As a result, they have refused to join the persecution."
"Ever since the publication of the Nine Commentaries on the
Communist
Party, Chinese people have more clearly recognized the nature of
CCP and
the evil nature of the persecution. More than 5 million have withdrawn
from CCP and its related organizations on the Internet. Heaven's
destruction
of CCP is a historical inevitability. Gods must punish those criminals
who
have
sinned against Falun Gong. Those who refuse to do the right thing and
instead
continue to follow Jiang's scoundrel regime's persecution policies will
be
severely punished as perpetrators of unforgivable crimes."
On Saturday October 15, 2005, practitioners in the UK held an anti-torture exhibition to help people find out more about Falun Gong and the persecution of practitioners in China. Pictures of the different cruel torture methods used on Falun Gong practitioners by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) were displayed in prominent positions. Photos of the spread of Falun Gong in all parts of the world and the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners by CCP were also exhibited.
People are eager to learn the facts |
Clarifying the facts |
Clarifying the facts |
There were streams of pedestrians on Saturday. Some practitioners talked with passersby and others demonstrated the exercises. The peaceful music touched people's hearts. A lot of people watched the demonstration of the five sets of Falun Gong exercises for a long time. The atmosphere was serene and peaceful and people seemed to feel the calling of Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance, as well as practitioners' perseverance and unyielding spiritual strength.
In front of the photos of the cruel torture, people were shocked to see examples of the persecution which is taking place in China. Many people carefully read the contents of the exhibition boards and walked up to sign the statement condemning CCP and expressing support for the practitioners.
Signing the petition supporting Falun Gong |
Signing the petition supporting Falun Gong |
Several lovely children joined the meditation group |
People were eager to learn the truth. One German man, who has been to China, was deceived and poisoned by the lies, rumors and slander the CCP's propaganda machine has waged against Falun Gong. He continued asking questions and circled our exhibition several times, talking to several practitioners to find out more. After one or two hours he repeatedly reminded the practitioners to send him emails, and he took some Chinese language materials for his friends.
An activity organizer from Leeds passed by our exhibition and was very interested. She invited Falun Gong practitioners to Leeds to participate in a three-day activity in November to introduce the truth of Falun Gong from different aspects, including the effect of curing illness, Falun Gong practitioners' resistance to the persecution and the evil essence of CCP.
On the evening of October 7, the Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance International Art Exhibition, sponsored by the Belgian Falun Gong Association, had its opening ceremony in the town of Riemst, Belgium. The exhibition was held with great support from the Riemst Bailiff and councilor Mr. Peumans. St. Serverinus Church, with a history of over a thousand years and the cultural center of this town, was specially chosen as the venue.
At the opening ceremony, the exhibition hall was crowded with visitors from Belgium and Holland. Mr. Peumans said in the opening speech, "I am very happy to hold this art exhibition here. This place has just been redecorated, making it very suitable for this purpose. Everyone of us should enjoy the freedom to choose our own belief. However, today, in this century, it is really unbelievable that such inhuman persecution is still happening against Falun Gong practitioners. I am against torture." He also expressed his sincere wish that, "It would be very good if more people could get to know the truth about Falun Gong by visiting this exhibition. I wish everyone in Riemst would come. I hope the beauty and compassion of this art exhibition can be brought into every corner of our town." In the end, he encouraged Falun Gong practitioners to hold this Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance International Art Exhibition in other cities and towns.
Mr. Matthias from the Belgium Falun Gong Association addresses the audience |
Councilor Mr. Peumans gives the opening speech |
Former UN special rapporteur on torture Theo van Boven gives a speech |
Theo van Boven, the former UN special rapporteur on torture, also made a visit especially for this exhibition. Professor Theo van Boven is a world-renowned professor of International Law.
During his speech at the opening ceremony, Theo van Boven said, "We should respect human beings' beliefs. We should not abuse others. While I was working as the UN special rapporteur on torture, I reported the situation of those Falun Gong practitioners who are being tortured. I also brought many of these cases to the attention of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and asked them to explain. Though we got some replies, they either denied the truth or gave a very superficial answer. The CCP regime especially uses the forced labor camps and psychiatric hospitals to torture Falun Gong practitioners and other dissidents. They describe those people as anti-social and anti-scientific, then use this excuse to suppress them. When we see these artworks, we can experience the inhuman torture that Falun Gong practitioners have suffered."
Professor Theo van Boven pointed out, "This art exhibition should tour around the whole world. Let people be aware that this is still happening in China." He also talked about the current situation, "I have discovered that today western society has developed many economic relationships with China. They all want to earn money. However, they do not see the human rights aspect, and this is very dangerous. We have to look at the end of this road: What really matters is how we human beings treat each other, not economic power."
Mr. Matthias from the Belgium Falun Dafa Association thanked everyone for their support. He gave a brief introduction of the exhibition and explained its purpose. He said he hoped people could understand the truth of Falun Gong and the on-going persecution in China.
The exhibition hall was crowded with visitors from all walks of
life. They
viewed the works and listened to practitioners' explanations.
This art exhibition attracted many people. Members of the Dutch branch of the human rights organization International Amnesty attended as well as a famous economist and his family members. This art exhibition will continue for two weekends.