October 16 to 18 was the annual Sino-British (China-UK) dialogue on human rights. UK Falun Gong practitioners took advantage of this opportunity to hold three days of activities both in front of the UK foreign ministry and on Downing Street in front of the Prime Minister's residence.
Earlier in October, representatives from the UK Foreign Ministry had invited UK Falun Dafa practitioners to discuss the situation of Falun Gong in China and the Chinese government's obvious infringement on the human rights of Falun Gong practitioners in China.
When the PRC human rights representatives arrived at the UK Foreign Ministry for the meeting, the door of their van was opened directly in front of a small signboard which stated in English: "China, Stop the Maltreatment and Murder of the Innocent Falun Gong Practitioners." All the Chinese representatives got out of the van in front of this protest signboard. At the same time, several practitioners unfolded big banners reading "Jiang Zemin Cannot Escape Punishment for the Crimes of Prosecuting Falun Gong" and "Cultivating Falun Gong Is a Human Right." The Chinese representatives entered the Foreign Ministry building silently. Outside the building, the practitioners started to practice and handed out flyers to passersby to explain the truth of the situation.
One official of the UK Foreign Ministry expressed his admiration for Falun Gong practitioners in China and gave praise to UK practitioners for organizing this activity. He said that since many officials entered the building with the information sheets, Falun Gong information was in every office. Another UK official told us that the dialogue would last for three days and he suggested that our activity should go on for at least two days.
At 6 pm, the Chinese representatives left the building and silently watched the practitioners who were doing the sitting meditation. One of the representatives quietly waved his hands toward the practitioners.
It was sunny on October 17 as the Sino-British human rights dialogue continued. Practitioners also continued to introduce people to the Fa and to explain the truth. Some practitioners took a day off work to join the activities.
Beginning on October 1, two UK practitioners, Robert and Jaya, obtained permission from the police to practice and distribute flyers in front of the Chinese Embassy for one hour every morning. Every Thursday night the Chinese Embassy holds a cocktail party for important guests, and recently practitioners have begun practicing across the street from the embassy during these gatherings.
We hope that more of the British public, especially those having connections with China, will come to know the truth of the persecution and current sufferings of Falun Gong practitioners in China.
UK Practitioners
October 17, 2000
