Open Letter to the Prime Minister of Denmark

(Clearwisdom.net)

23rd Sep 2002

Prime Minister of Denmark,

Dear Mr. Prime Minister,

We hand in this letter, sealed with the hearts of more than a thousand Falun Gong practitioners' from various European, Asian and North American countries, to you. We have gathered in Copenhagen to show the Danish people, the top 25 leaders from European and Asian countries, and the world, what kind of people Falun Gong practitioners are, what Falun Gong is, and to let people become more aware of the inhumane persecution of Falun Gong in China.

What kind of people are Falun Gong practitioners?

We are law-abiding citizens from all walks of life practising Falun Gong to improve our mind and body. Like everyone else, we study in colleges and schools or have careers. We have our families. We are fathers and mothers. We love people - we love life! However, the innocent Falun Gong practitioners in China who are like us are being persecuted brutally for their belief in Truthfulness-Benevolence-Forbearance.

Why Persecute?

We have been continually asked "Why does the Chinese government treat Falun Gong like this?" Those persecutors may regard us as a threat. In China before the ban there were tens of million of people doing this practice. It is a large number indeed! But Falun Gong is apolitical. During 3 years of persecution, we have only held peaceful appeals, despite the widespread killing and tortures that have been endured. These 3 years of history has truly proven that we are completely peaceful; we are not a threat to anybody or any government. Today, the reason for this persecution is crystal clear: the persecutors are evil, as those who persecute peaceful people must be evil.

Falun Gong practitioners' situation in China is worsening.

There are more and more reports of inhumane tortures coming out of China, so many that it would be difficult to read all of them. In 1989, after the Tiananmen Massacre, all countries around the world were condemning the Chinese government. Although Jiang's regime is not driving tanks onto Tiananmen Square or killing people with guns as in 1989, the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners is very brutal, vicious, and widespread. Currently the number of practitioners that we know have been tortured to death is 480, and this number increases weekly. The current death toll is believed to be much higher, which would be no less than that of the 1989 Tiananmen massacre. All of the practitioners in China, almost 100 million, are deprived of their rights of belief, of assembly, and even life and freedom. If we include Falun Gong practitioners' family members, the number of people suffering because of the persecution is immense.

The persecution has extended to Europe.

In addition, this persecution has extended to Europe. In a recent compilation of cases, more than 60 European residents and citizens, or their family member have been persecuted by the Jiang regime. Some countries, like Iceland, even bowed to the pressure and the lure of economic trade and helped to extend Jiang's persecution by barring Falun Gong practitioners from entering the countries or by limiting Falun Gong practitioners' activities in their countries. This is a dangerous sign that these democratic countries have gone against their commitment to global norms on civil rights.

Trade needs the prerequisite of a positive human rights environment.

In China, huge amounts of money are being spent on persecuting Falun Gong practitioners. If this trend continues, trade and investment in China will not benefit the Chinese people, and ultimately will not benefit the investors either. With such a terrible human rights environment, the interests of your countries' enterprises in China cannot be guaranteed. The UN High Commissioner on Human Rights, Ms. Mary Robinson, stated in her article published in the Financial Times: "Having a strong human rights policy and a sound implementation strategy is about risk management and reputation assurance. There can be no denying that human rights is a bottom-line issue. We need to see more companies adopting human rights principles and being held to account for putting them into action. "

Therefore, we politely request that you, the leader of a country that has been a pioneer in fighting human rights violations, take a firmer stance against the persecution of Falun Gong in China and also raise the issue of Falun Gong on the following three occasions;

1. During ASEM: call on all participating countries to take human rights as the prerequisite for all commercial, cultural and political activities. Falun Gong practitioners from various EU countries are also doing this to encourage their country's leaders to raise their concerns about the persecution of Falun Gong on this occasion.
2. During Zhu Rongji's official visit: urge the Chinese government to stop the persecution of Falun Gong immediately. It is China's responsibility to adhere to the international human rights treaties it has signed.
3. At EU level: encourage the EU to take more firm and effective steps in urging China to improve its human rights situation.

We have also enclosed material for your reference.

Sincerely Yours,

Falun Gong practitioners from Europe, Asia and North America in Copenhagen