Falun Dafa Press Statement at May 31, 2001 Press Conference

May 31, 2001

We are here today to launch a Canada-wide campaign to free Ms. Ying Zhu and Mr. Shenli Lin who have been arrested in China for believing in Falun Gong. Our concern for Ying and Shenli revolves around the thousands of documented cases of other Falun Gong practitioners who are beaten, starved, raped and tortured in labor camps in China by police under direct orders from President Jiang Zemin.

Since July 20^th 1999, the violent and bloody persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China has been hidden by the Chinese Government. Therefore, many people are unaware of the widespread death and torture of peaceful Falun Gong practitioners that is going on right now.

Ms. Wang Lixuan, age 27, and her 8-month old son, Meng, were tortured to death in police custody. The coroner's examination revealed that Ms. Wang's neck and skull had been crushed. Her son's ankles had deep bruises--presumably from being hung upside down by hand-cuffs. There were bruises on his little head and blood in his nose. To date 216 peaceful, innocent Falun Gong practitioners have died due to torture in police custody.

Jiang Zemin's crimes are now affecting every country -- including Canada.

Professor Kunlun Zhang, a Canadian citizen, lived to tell of the electric shock torture, severe brain washing, starvation and sleep deprivation that he experienced in a Chinese labour camp.

Canadian citizen Jinyu Li's husband, Shenli Lin, still suffers in a labour camp today.

And now, Ying Zhu a student at Concordia University and a permanent resident of Canada has been arrested in China and faces the same fate as thousands of other peaceful Falun Gong practitioners.

For two years, Chinese president Jiang Zemin has personally directed this vicious attack on his own innocent people. Out of fear and self-interest, he has tarnished the honorable title of president and has raped the will of his own Chinese people.

For the past two years amidst these atrocities, it is the peaceful and courageous response of Falun Gong practitioners that have won the support and the hearts of governments and people around the world. Falun Gong's peaceful and lawful actions have contrasted the wicked and senseless violence from the Chinese Government. This is what Jiang Zemin fears. He started a persecution against kind and innocent people and now the whole world sees how wrong he is.

We are here to demand the immediate and unconditional release of Ying Zhu and Shenli Lin and we appeal for your support. Falun Gong practitioners will peacefully demonstrate in front of the Chinese Embassy and Consulates in cities across Canada until Ying Zhu and Shenli Lin are safely returned to Canada.

We appeal also to the Canadian government to help stop these heinous crimes against humanity. We need a strong voice to let China know that this unprecedented and violent persecution of Falun Gong will not be tolerated.