French MP and Mayor Calls on Minister of Foreign Affairs to Take Measures to Stop the Persecution of Falun Gong in China

To Mr. Dominique de Villepin
Minister of Foreign Affairs

June 17^th, 2002

Dear Minister of Foreign Affairs,

Please allow me to arouse your concern for the persecution which the Chinese government has subjected Falun Gong practitioners to since July 1999.

Though it has applied some terminology of Buddhism and Taoism, Falun Gong is not a religion; nor does it have any religious rituals, worship, or any political agenda.

Apparently, Falun Gong is a meditation and exercise practice deeply rooted in ancient Chinese culture and traditions and based on the universal principle of "Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance."

From 1992, Falun Gong was highly recommended by the Chinese government. This continued until 1999 when the government began its persecution of Falun Gong. Many practitioners have been arrested and subjected to escalating suppression. They are imprisoned, tortured, sent to labour camps and mental hospitals, or sentenced through unfair trials.

In a country with a free economy and modernized commercialisation, people are granted the basic freedoms of speech and assembly. On the contrary, in a country where citizens are deprived of basic political and civil freedoms, their freedoms of speech and assembly must also be undermined.

I would be very grateful if you can inform me that the French embassy in China can express its awareness of and concern for China's persecution of Falun Gong. I will also appreciate your efforts if you can inform me of the possible measures that our country might take to stop the persecution of Falun Gong in China.

Sincerely thank you. Please accept my respect for you.

MP and Mayor,

(Name omitted for safety concern)