Shenli Lin's Statement: Truth and Righteousness Will Not Be Defeated

I stand on this free land as if it were a dream. There is so much that has happened in my life that I don't know where to start. I can only share briefly with you here.

Just because I went to the appeal office in December 1999 to say that Falun Dafa is good out of my concern and responsibility, I was detained for 17 days. Shortly after that, I was sent to a labour camp for signing a petition asking for a peaceful dialogue between the government and the Falun Gong practitioners to resolve the issue.

I went through a lot of hardships which are beyond my ability to describe. As a human being I lost all my rights and freedom in an instant. I was forced to do physical labour and I was routinely beaten. It was an extremely abusive and dark environment. I was surrounded by criminals, bombarded with all kinds of evil lies and propaganda about Falun Gong, kept in isolation from my family and friends, and was under a state of perpetual pressure to give up my beliefs. What kind of suffering was it? It was enough to destroy a person's will.

However, I walked through each persecution I faced and with each step I became stronger, firmer and more resolute. I was not broken down and my faith in Falun Dafa was not shaken. In my heart I know that Falun Dafa is the truth. I have no regrets.

However, I must make clear that I in no way acknowledge or accept all of the evil things that were done to me and the crimes that continue to be carried out under President Jiang Zemin in this persecution of Falun Gong--they are wicked and shameful. Jiang's persecution of Falun Gong is against China's own constitution--it is illegal.

I was originally sentenced to labour camp for 1 1/5 years. However on the day before my scheduled release, when I was prepared to go home and my family was ready to bring me home, I was suddenly notified that my term was prolonged for another half year, without any reason given. This is the kind of torment that is being carried out in an effort to squash the resolve of Falun Gong practitioners.

Even last month, on the day of my second scheduled release, I was told that I might be sent to prison where I would sit for another 3 years. I told them, "I will sit until the floor caves in beneath me before I give up my faith in Falun Gong." For what I believe to be the truth, I was prepared to be imprisoned for the rest of my life. They then released me.

What I did is by no means, and under no definition, a crime. What I did was righteous and just and I did not do it for myself. I only want to let the people of the world know the truth and to say a few fair words about Falun Dafa.

I want to express my sincere thanks to the Members of Parliament who helped secure my release, especially Mr. Irwin Cotler, my legal counsel who gave us the most precious support in difficult times, to Amnesty International of Canada, who continued to work tirelessly for my release, to the Canadian government, which worked for my support and for the tens of thousands of Canadian citizens who signed petitions and did various things to show their support.

I am happy to be free here in Canada; however, I ask, please don't forget all the Falun Dafa practitioners who continue to suffer in China. Please show your support and help this evil persecution to end soon! Thank you.