Issued by Clearwisdom Net

On December 14, while conducting a peaceful protest in front of Argentinean Congress against visiting Chinese official Luo Gan, Falun Gong practitioners were assaulted by thugs deployed by the Chinese Embassy. The assailants also grabbed practitioners' banners and truth-clarification photo displays. When the incident happened, Argentinean police stood by and didn't take any action to stop the violence. On December 16, the assaulted practitioners retained attorney Alejandro Cowes to sue the assailants and the police officers who refused to take action to protect the practitioners.

Amnesty International Argentina Holds press conference: Left: Pablo Marsal, chair of AI; Middle, attorney Aalejandro Cowes, Right: a local practitioner

CCP thugs assault practitioners in Argentina

Since 1999, Falun Gong practitioners have been brutally persecuted in Mainland China. Luo Gan, a member of the Standing Committee of the Chinese Communist Politburo, is one of the chief perpetrators of the persecution. On December 13, 2005, while Luo Gan was visiting Argentina, Falun Gong practitioners in Argentina, on behalf of all Falun Gong practitioners who have been suffering persecution in China, filed a criminal lawsuit against Luo in federal court, accusing him of committing the crimes of genocide and torture during the persecution campaign against Falun Gong. The very next day, outside the Argentine Congress, practitioners were assaulted by thugs deployed by the Chinese Embassy.

On December 14, during Luo Gan's visit to Argentina, the Chinese Embassy sent thugs to assault practitioners who were protesting the persecution. They wore white or red clothing with a green tag (Photo by Carlos Carbone)

When the assault occurred, Luo Gan was about to go to the Congress to meet with Argentina's vice president. Practitioners displayed banners to protest the persecution and in particular, Luo's crimes. They also distributed information about the lawsuit against Luo and evidence of Luo's crimes to members of congress. All of a sudden, Chinese men appeared and violently took away practitioners' banners, truth-clarifying fliers and personal property. They also rampantly assaulted practitioners, right in front of the media. Some Argentineans tried to stop the violence; however, they were assaulted as well and some were injured.

A number of Argentineans tried to stop the assault and were also attacked; some were injured. (Photo: Carlos Carbone)

Surprisingly, on-duty police officers didn't take any action to stop the violence. Reportedly they were ordered by higher authorities not to stop the assailants.

While the Chinese Embassy to Argentina and the assailants were the direct perpetrators of the assault, the chief culprit behind-the-scenes was Luo Gan.

Luo Gan, as Secretary of the Political and Legislative Affairs Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Central Committee and head of the 610 Office, directly planned, deployed and directed the persecution against Falun Gong. In order to gain personal political capital, he arbitrarily murdered Falun Gong practitioners, implicated, coerced and threatened millions of families, and created countless family tragedies and wrongful arrests. He manipulated the political and judiciary system, and made use of the country's propaganda machinery to spread lies to the world to distort and demonize Falun Gong practitioners, to mislead the public. He also wantonly arrested and detained Falun Gong practitioners on a large scale across the country to inhumanly and ruthlessly persecute them.

After Jiang stepped down, Luo Gan continued to push the persecution of Falun Gong so as to force the new leaders to take responsibility. This year, he directed a new round of arrests of Falun Gong practitioners, which has led to frequent torture and death cases. Many extremely despicable cases have occurred. In addition, he brings persecution and injustice to wherever he goes.

Amnesty International Supports Falun Gong

Initially, there was some confusion among Argentinean media about this incident. Some reported that the assault was a fight between two groups of Chinese who had different opinions. Regarding this confusion, on the afternoon of December 16, Amnesty International (AI) held a press conference to clarify the facts of the incident. The representative of AI said that AI cannot tolerate the fact that a criminal guilty of genocide came to Argentina and directed thugs to assault Falun Gong practitioners. Citing an eye-witness, a spokesperson said: "This is Argentina, not communist China."

In a statement issued at the press conference, AI Argentina Chairperson Mr. Pablo Marsal stated "Amnesty International has always supported Falun Gong. It is also not the first time that this group was assaulted in our country. Amnesty International's annual reports, which are well known around the world, relate the human rights violations in China against different spiritual and social groups. The most striking fact in our country is that, for the second time, we see that a certain group connected to the officials of the Chinese government, assaults with impunity, in Argentine territory, in front of the Congress of the nation, a peaceful group which is known all over the world as a spiritual group. For this reason, it is totally incomprehensible.

We really want the Argentine authorities to investigate this incident. This incident has attracted a lot of attention from human rights organizations.

After the last incident, Falun Gong protested to the police. They filed a lawsuit which did not lead anywhere. They are filing now another lawsuit against these aggressors. The officials of another country are violating our Argentine sovereignty in our country. This is something which may not continue. Of course it is true about what is happening in China and, apparently, the persecution has begun to extend to a country like ours, Argentina, a country which is proud to defend human rights."

The Desperate Struggle of the Perpetrators Will Not Prevent its Disintegration

The assault of practitioners in Argentina and the police violence in Thailand instigated by the CCP both highlighted the unscrupulous nature of the CCP and its desperate struggle before its disintegration. However, the tide of history has put the CCP between the beetle and the block. The conspiracy of the CCP persecutors that include Luo Gan, Zeng Qinghong and others can't harm Falun Gong any more. On the contrary, anything they do only lets more people recognize the evil nature of the CCP and makes them abandon the party.

Practitioners said that the CCP's persecution of innocent Chinese, especially the brutal persecution of Falun Gong, has been recognized by more and more people around the world. The unstoppable tide of withdrawals from the CCP indicates that the CCP will collapse. Practitioners hope that the Argentine government will safeguard human rights and justice for the sake of its own people and not to be confused by the CCP's lies. Practitioners call on the government to hold the assailants accountable and investigate the behind-the-scenes culprits.

Reportedly, practitioners have sued the assailants for physical assault and verbal death threats. At the same time, they also sued federal police for not fulfilling their responsibilities to protect citizens.

Chinese version available at http://minghui.ca/mh/articles/2005/12/18/116768.html

Practitioners' Message to the Thai Government: Don't Follow China's Suppression of Freedom

On December 15, 2005, Falun Gong practitioners in Ottawa gathered in front of the Thai Embassy to protest the Thai police's violence against practitioners in Thailand. On December 10, International Human Rights Day, under instigation by the Chinese Embassy, Thai police officers violently interfered with Falun Gong practitioners' peaceful and legal protest in front of the Chinese Embassy in Bangkok.

December 10 was International Human Rights Day. Practitioners in Thailand gathered in front of the Chinese Embassy to protest the rape of two women practitioners on November 25 by a Hebei police officer. They also peacefully protested against the more than 6-year-long persecution of Falun Gong in general. But, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in the Embassy pressured the Thai police authority to harass the practitioners. On that day, dozens of police officers and plainclothes agents ran across the street and forcefully searched practitioners' purses and bags. In addition, they dragged people away and seized banners, resulting in physical injury, trauma and damage to personal property. Children ranging in ages from 4 years old to 14 years old were not spared. Upon hearing about the incident, practitioners in Ottawa immediately called the Thai Embassy to Canada to request a meeting. On December 15, they rallied in front of the Embassy to protest the unreasonable behavior of the Thai officials who encroached on practitioners' basic rights.

The practitioners delivered a letter of appeal to the Thai Embassy, requesting the Thai Government to protect Falun Gong practitioners' basic human rights, free themselves from the control of the CCP, and stop complying with the CCP in persecuting Falun Gong practitioners in Thailand.

In addition, practitioners also delivered the United Nation's investigation report on the persecution of Falun Gong, a report by the World Organization to Investigate the Persecution of Falun Gong (WOIPFG) on the systematic persecution, the Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party, and other materials. Embassy officials said they would pass them on to the ambassador, and would mail them back to Thailand as well.

The practitioners pointed out that in the past more than six years of brutal persecution, more and more people have come to understand the truth of Falun Gong and the evil nature of the CCP, as a result of practitioners' worldwide persistent truth clarification. Moreover, the Nine Commentaries, published last year, have throughly exposed the true evil nature of the CCP and awakened countless citizens. Consequently, more and more people have chosen not to follow the CCP any more and have renounced their membership in the party. However, while the CCP is collapsing, some Thai officials have instead acted against the historical trend: They yielded to the CCP's pressure and encroached upon practitioners' basic rights.

The practitioners pointed out further that any individual or government who followed the CCP in persecuting Falun Gong will be held accountable. Practitioners stressed that the Thai government should uphold human rights and justice. "The Thai government should study the Nine Commentaries so that they can understand the evil nature of the CCP, and they should immediately release all detained practitioners," the practitioners stated. During the peaceful protest, most passing vehicles slowed down to read the banners. Drivers often honked or gave the thumbs-up sign to show their support to practitioners.

Chinese version available at http://minghui.ca/mh/articles/2005/12/17/116713.html

 On December 15, 2005, Falun Gong practitioners in Montreal went to the Thai Consulate, despite the severe cold with temperatures dropping to below minus 20 degrees, to protest the actions of the Thai police, who, at the behest of the Chinese Communist Party, arrested Falun Gong practitioners who were peacefully protesting the CCP's persecution of Falun Gong practitioners on International Human Rights Day.

Thailand, don't follow the CCP to Persecute Falun Gong

Falun Gong practitioners expressed that the reason for the protest was that Falun Gong practitioners in Thailand were arrested for opposing the CCP's persecution. On December 10, in front of the Chinese embassy in Thailand, Falun Gong practitioners peacefully protested Hebei Province police's atrocious and despicable act of raping two Falun Gong practitioners in broad daylight on December 6. The Thai police came to interfere by grabbing away banners, dragging away practitioners, and grabbing and beating practitioners. Then, on December 14, the Thai police suddenly arrested three practitioners who were handing out Falun Gong truth clarification materials as usual, in a manner approved by the law. On December 15, more practitioners were arrested for peacefully protesting the CCP's evil persecution. During the arrest, Thai police who have learned the truth claimed that they did not want to harass the practitioners, but did so at the request of the Chinese embassy.

One of Falun Gong practitioners who entered the Thai consulate, Mr. Zhu, said that the assistant to the Consul General expressed that she would forward related materials she had received to the Consul General as soon as possible. The same afternoon, the assistant sent an email to Mr. Zhu to tell him that the Consul General had sent Falun Gong practitioners' request and related materials to the Thai embassy in Ottawa.

Falun Gong practitioners stated that even though the international community widely knows about the CCP's brutal persecution of Falun Gong practitioners who strive to be good people by following "Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance," the Thai police still took orders from the Chinese embassy and persecuted Falun Gong practitioners in Thailand. It is intolerable. This not only seriously violated Falun Gong practitioners' basic rights, but also is a shame to Thailand. If they cannot correct the situation in time, it will bring great harm to the Thai people, because assisting the evil to persecute kind and innocent people is against the heavenly principles and people's conscience.

Chinese version available at http://minghui.ca/mh/articles/2005/12/18/116771.html

 On December 16, 2005, Representatives of the Taiwan Falun Dafa Association delivered a protest letter to the Thailand Trade and Economic Office (TTEO) regarding the Thai police's repeated abuse of Falun Gong practitioners.

Chairman of the Taiwan Falun Dafa Association, Chang Ching-Hsi delivered the protest letter and a Falun Gong Human Rights Report to an official from the Thailand Economic and Trading Liaison Office. Chang also presented the office several copies of Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party

The appalling rape of practitioners Liu Jizhi and Han Yuzhi by Chinese police He Xuejian shocked the whole world. On November 25, He Xuejian, a uniformed young Chinese police officer, raped two practitioners his mother's age in broad daylight. After the physical assault, the two victims were further mentally assaulted by the local police state: Evidence showed that on November 26 Dongchengfang Township Social Security Administration Office issued five receipts with an official seal for a so called "Training Fee". Each of the five detained practitioners, including the two raped women, was forced to pay 3000 yuan!

In order to protest the rape of women Falun Gong practitioners by policeman He Xuejian and call for an end to the persecution of Falun Gong, for several consecutive days some Falun Gong practitioners sat quietly on the roadside opposite the Chinese Embassy. They clarified the truth and distributed informational materials to passersby. Thai practitioners' protest received widespread support from local citizens and several media outlets reported on their activities.

Since December 9, 2005, however, Thai police have repeatedly encroached upon local Falun Gong practitioners' human rights under the incitement of the CCP. On December 10, instigated by the Chinese Embassy, Thai police violently interfered practitioners' protest in front of the Embassy. On December 14, three practitioners who were handing out truth clarification materials were beaten by the Thai police at Pattaya. On December 15, eight practitioners were arrested by Thai police in front of the Chinese embassy, and later, one was released. The other seven practitioners are still being detained at the immigration bureau. They have started a hunger strike.

To protest violent persecution is a basic human right, but the police authorities in Thailand have roughly interfered with practitioners' peaceful protest under pressure from the Chinese Embassy. They forcefully searched practitioners' handbags, dragged people around and grabbed banners. In addition, the plainclothes agents checked practitioners' IDs and even drove them away. Some police officers expressed that they did not want to come, but the Chinese Embassy asked them to do so.

The Chairman of the Taiwan Falun Dafa Association, Chang Ching-Hsi stated that, as an independent country, Thailand should not take orders from the Chinese Communist totalitarian regime to violate human rights.

Chang Ching-Hsi pointed out that there are UN's refugee services in Thailand which are designated to help persecuted people from different countries to obtain refugee status. However, the way that the police authorities of Thailand have handled this issue has severely violated freedom of belief and expression. Chang Ching-Hsi called for the Thailand Government to apologize publicly regarding this incident and ensure that these kind of incidents will not happen again in the future.

The First Secretary of TTEO received the protest letter and "Human Rights Report on Falun Gong" as well as Nine Commentaries on Chinese Communist Party. She promised to pass on them to the Thailand government.

Chang Ching-Hsi stated that practitioners in different countries would also deliver protest letters to their local Thailand Embassy or consulates, clarify the truth of the brutal persecution to them and request them to pass practitioners' message to the Thailand Government.

Chinese version available at http://minghui.ca/mh/articles/2005/12/17/116690.html

 The weeklong "Truthfulness Compassion Forbearance" International Art Exhibition was successfully held at the Tallaght Institute of Technology in South Dublin between the 5^th and 9^th of December, 2005.

The deputy mayor of South Dublin County, Karen Warren, and Councillor John Hannon attended the opening ceremony. Councillor John Hannon made an excellent speech. He first learned about Falun Gong two years ago during the campaign to rescue Falun Gong practitioners Liu Feng and Yang Fang who were arrested in China when they went back from their study break in Ireland. Councillor John Hannon initiated a motion in the South Dublin County Council demanding the Chinese Government to immediately release Liu Feng and Yang Fang. The council successfully passed the motion. In her speech at the opening ceremony, Falun Gong practitioner Eileen Browne thanked the Tallaght Institute of Technology for providing the facility for the exhibition. She also thanked Mr. Tim O'Connor, Mr. Paul Columbus and other staff in the copy center.

Deputy Mayor Karen Warren attends the opening ceremony

The art exhibition was held in the entrance hall to the college. This is the main passage to the college. During the weeklong exhibition, many students, teachers and other college staff showed great interest in viewing the artworks. There were even people from the remote Irish Midlands who specifically came to see the exhibition.

Falun Gong practitioners demonstrate the exercises

John Hannon said that he was very pleased to open the "Truthfulness Compassion Forbearance" International Art Exhibition. He explained, "Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance... very good guiding principles in life. But unfortunately the Chinese government thinks otherwise, and, has used the full power of the state to persecute the practitioners. Today's exhibition seeks to convey something of this persecution and of the courage, humanity and hope of the persecuted. The works are beautiful in themselves but are made more meaningful by the truths that they wish to convey." He continued, "I am quite convinced that freedom will prevail, ... and when that day dawns Falun Gong will be practiced in China as elsewhere in the world."

At around 4:00 p.m. on opening day, Deputy Prime Minister Mary Harney came to visit the college. She passed through the exhibition hall. Eileen Browne gave the Deputy Prime Minister a paper lotus flower with good wishes. A reporter from NTDTV interviewed Ms. Harney. Deputy Prime Minister Mary Harney said that Ireland would continue to be concerned about the Human Rights problems in China.

A college director asked Ms. Eileen Browne, "How did you manage to get this exhibition hall? This is the first in our college's history."

One young woman couldn't help controlling her tears after seeing paintings about the persecution. She talked to practitioners for a long time. She could not believe that in this modern society, such brutal persecution still exists. She had just finished her art course and came to see the exhibition. A practitioner gave her a beautiful paper lotus flower when she left. She also took with her leaflets about Falun Gong for her classmates.

Many students viewed every artwork and listened to its explanation with great care.

A visitor inquires about information on buying the paintings

A woman from the Midlands specifically came to see the exhibition. She has practiced Falun Gong for eight months by herself. The practitioners attending the exhibition were very surprised to learn that she is a new practitioner. She wanted to view all artworks (because of the limitation of the exhibition hall, only part of artworks were exhibited).

Many people enquired if they could buy these artworks.

A security guard told the Falun Gong practitioners that one morning it was very quiet inside the building. It was very early so only him and a housekeeper were there. He said that from whichever direction he looked at the artwork, "Buddha Statue," Buddha's head would turn to look at him. He was very surprised and so he called the housekeeper over. She found the same situation. They felt that this exhibition was very extraordinary and the music was so beautiful, making people very calm and comfortable.

The local newspaper, The Echo, sent its reporter to interview Eileen Browne, and published the interview on Thursday. The article outlined the purpose and meaning of this exhibition and told its readers about the positive change in Ms. Browne's health after she started practicing Falun Gong.

A report published in the local newspaper

During the exhibition, practitioners made many paper lotus flowers to give as gifts. These beautiful lotus flowers were deeply appreciated by students and teachers. The beauty and compassion of Falun Gong will remain in South Dublin.

Chinese version available at http://minghui.ca/mh/articles/2005/12/14/116518.html