Place: News Development Research Institute, Moscow On January 22, 2001, Amnesty International and Falun Dafa practitioners in Moscow held a press conference entitled "Falun Gong: Truth in China and Moscow." Representatives from the Russian Human Rights Protection Organization, reporters from some newspapers and magazines, and representatives from the Chinese government and Xinhua News Agency attended the meeting. Practitioners from Moscow and St. Petersburg introduced Falun Gong and described the situation of Falun Gong in China and Russia. Reporters showed great concern over the Chinese Government's cruel persecution of Falun Gong practitioners and their relatives, and the fabrication of news and slanders of Master Li Hongzhi and Falun Dafa. Russian practitioners disclosed proof of the illegality of the persecution of Falun Dafa by providing much photo evidence of the Chinese Government's brutal persecution. Commissioners from Amnesty International in Russia and representatives from the Human Rights Protection Organization gave a report on the Chinese Government's human rights violation. This report had been compiled by Amnesty International. The inhumane persecution of Falun Dafa practitioners has caused many deaths. Practitioners, including women, the elderly and children, were held in jails, labor camps, and mental hospitals. None of these actions corresponds to the "civilized" image that the Chinese Government wishes to show to the world. The persecution has also violated the "International Convention of Citizen and Political Rights," which the Chinese Government had signed in 1998 and the Chinese People's Council is due to approve. Representatives from Amnesty International pointed out that, no matter how the Chinese Government criticizes Falun Gong, murdering, torturing, and persecuting the peaceful Chinese citizens cannot be concealed. Everybody, even a criminal, has the right to defend him/herself. However, all Falun Gong lawsuits are prohibited from being given due process in the judicatory procedures in China. Falun Gong practitioners have been deprived of the most basic right to defend themselves. In today's China, phrases such as "superior's order" and "phone call instructions" have replaced the Constitution and system of justice. Amnesty International and the Russian Human Rights Protection Organization indicated that, ideologically, persecution implied the totalitarian rule in a country. And the more the upright people with high morality there were, the more frightened such a government becomes. Evilness always opposes kindness. And these were the reasons that the Chinese government persecutes Falun Gong. Russian practitioners described to reporters what had happened in Russia. Last fall, the Chinese Government claimed to have started the third phase of persecution of Falun Gong and intended to eliminate Falun Gong overseas. Slandering, stigmatization, lies by the news media, and persecution were spread to Russia. Practitioners showed that the Chinese Embassy and Consulate officials interfered and disrupted the normal and legal practice environment. Reporters, human right protectors, and lawyers believed that such activities were interfering in the internal policies of Russia, a country with sovereignty rights. They urged that these activities not to take place again. Democratic principles, abiding by the Constitution and human rights were not empty talk in Russia. Representatives from the Chinese media were in low spirits. Occasionally, they added some comments on what happened in China. They said that the Russian practitioners had never been to China and had only vague ideas about Falun Dafa and Teacher. Their speeches were superficial and not convincing, and made other reporters laugh. Obviously, the Chinese media were speaking against their will. The Chinese reporters were surprised to see so many Falun Gong practitioners in Russia, and that they all supported the practitioners in China. One Chinese reporter had a chat with us privately after the meeting. He said, "Falun Gong practitioners are good people. They are persecuted illegally." From the Chinese reporters' attitude in the meeting and the conversation afterwards, we could tell that the truth had gradually won support among the people. Every practitioner knew that it was an opportunity for Chinese reporters to hear us clarifying the truth. The meeting had a serene and peaceful atmosphere. Almost every attendee felt the harmony during the meeting. After the press conference, Amnesty International, the Russian Human Rights Protection Organization, and all practitioners in Russia issued a joint statement. The statement called on the Chinese Government to respect the human rights, stop the persecution, and to stop threatening and disturbing practitioners in Russia. Russian Falun Gong practitioners saw their government's responsible standpoint on the issue of the Chinese government's persecution of Falun Gong. Russian practitioners hope all kind-hearted people in the world will help to protect the Chinese Falun Gong practitioners' human rights and citizens' rights, and call on the Chinese Government and government leaders to stop the cruel suppression and persecution of their upright citizens. Practitioners in Russia January 26, 2001
Category: News & Events
