(Clearwisdom.net)
Editors' Note: The persecution of Falun Gong has been going on for four years, having begun officially on July 20, 1999. Jiang Zemin continues to abuse his power and impose his personal will on the Chinese people. In order to persecute Falun Gong, he set up the illegal "610 Office" to systematically create and spread lies in attempts to demonize Falun Gong. Jiang and his "610 Office" have committed huge crimes, yet they have used all means at their disposal to cover the truth of their misdeeds from the public. As a result, the people have had great difficulty recognizing the nature, depth and breadth of the persecution of Falun Gong. The stories in this Tribunal article are all based on facts and actual events that have taken place. Some are true stories while others are compilations of different people's experiences. When the Tribunal is performed in public, the witnesses are played by practitioners who speak fluent English. In order to clarify the truth of the persecution in a more comprehensive manner, the script of the Tribunal will be modified periodically. We ask readers who plan to use the script to please pay attention to these updates.
Mental Torture and Control
The Prosecutor now calls Zhao Ming to the stand. A character, wearing a placard that reads "MENTAL TORTURE AND ANGUISH," sits in the witness box and places a smaller placard with the name "Zhao Ming" over his head.
The bailiff swears in the witness and the Prosecutor begins his direct examination of Zhao Ming.
Prosecutor -- What was your personal situation at the time you were illegally detained by police?
Zhao Ming -- I had gone back to China from Ireland where I was pursuing graduate studies at Trinity College. I was arrested and put in a labor camp. Right before the 2002 New Year, I was put in a separate building to isolate me from others. They wouldn't let me sleep, keeping me awake throughout the night by waking me every few hours. One night, a policeman pushed me into an office. As soon as I entered, I saw a wooden platform on the floor with a number of straps made from strips of blanket attached to it. There were five policemen in the room, including the directors of different departments. I immediately knew what was going to happen -- they were going to use electric shock torture on me. They first threatened me in an attempt to what they call "reform" me, meaning to make me sign statements renouncing my beliefs and denouncing Falun Gong. When I firmly refused, they tied me down on the wooden slats. They tied my feet, legs, torso, and arms and used one strap across my mouth to strap down my head. After tying me down, they once more tried to "reform" me with threats. When I refused again, they brought out a stack of electric batons and started distributing them.
The electric batons are more than 50 cm (almost 2 ft) long. Apart from the two electric prongs on the head, the club also has metal wire twisting all around it. Using this part to deliver the electricity, it's possible to inflict an electric shock over a broad area. They used at least six electric batons to shock me, simultaneously, all over my body.
My body started to jump and shudder. Occasionally they would stop and try again to force me to sign my name and accept their so-called "reformation." One vicious police guard seemed to have done this sort of thing a lot. He took a club in each hand, held them parallel against my chest, and turned them around in circles, using the metal wrapped around the batons to deliver the electricity. My upper body was numb and shuddering, I felt my breathing speeding up, and my throat was on fire. My teeth clenched the cloth across my mouth, and I was taking labored breaths. I could smell my own flesh burning. I don't know how to describe the pain... One of my legs went into spasms. All I know is that it went on for what seemed like endless hours, endless... Then, I did something....
Prosecutor -- Mr. Zhao?
Zhao Ming -- (pause) I signed a letter renouncing Falun Gong.
(Pause) Later on many Dafa disciples asked me what was the most painful thing inside the labor camp. Signing my name on that letter--that was the most painful thing. The purpose of their tortures is to control you mentally, thoroughly stripping away your confidence and your dignity, those qualities that stem from your virtue and spiritual belief. They would do anything to turn a person with self-esteem and conscience into a person who would sell his most precious possession for a few moments of ease!
What is even worse is that Falun Dafa practitioners are not their only targets. They spread their spiritual poison and mental control throughout the entire society to all Chinese people. Police from the National Security Brigade and the labor camps are telling carefully fabricated lies to send a strong message to those deprived of their freedom, "Your only choice is to agree with me if you want to stay safe and maintain your financial security and social status." They threaten anyone who needs to take a train or bus, travels internationally, or needs any kind of official permission.
-Do you want to keep your faith? No matter what you truly think in your mind, they will do anything to force you to knowingly curse your own faith, betray your Esteemed Teacher, and sell out your spiritual beliefs!
-Do you want to keep your job, housing, and social status? You must declare that you will stop practicing Falun Gong and stop speaking out for Falun Gong, otherwise you will be dismissed from your job, sent to brainwashing classes and even labor camp.
-Do you need to take the train? They force you step on Mr. Li Hongzhi's photo before boarding the train.
-Do you need to take the bus? You have to repeat words cursing Falun Gong, otherwise not only will you be forbidden from boarding the bus, but you will also be detained.
-Do you need to visit your family in China? You must first agree that genocide and persecution towards Falun Dafa practitioners are "reasonable and legal," or agree to be an overseas spy to collect information about Falun Dafa.
-Do you want to do business with China? You first must not be a Falun Dafa practitioner and second have to agree never to hire a Falun Dafa practitioner or talk about the persecutions of the Falun Dafa practitioners. You also may be asked to cooperate with the persecution policies of Jiang and his "610 Offices!"
They teach people to be numb towards the issue of good or bad, righteousness and evil. They force people to unknowingly sell conscience. In the past 4 years, Jiang and his regime have done these things to one quarter of the world's population. They have used these same deceits and threats with foreigners who have business relations with China. Isn't this an insult to humanity? Isn't this trafficking in human consciences? The most cruel and shameful acts perpetrated by this persecution have been forcing people to exchange their good conscience to maintain their status quo and forcing people to betray "Truthfulness, Compassion, and Tolerance" in the pursuit of personal interests. These are the key reasons why defendant Jiang and his regime are guilty of committing crimes against humanity!
Who wants to have to accuse their own parents just to be allowed to attend school?
Who wants to have to divorce their spouse just to keep their job?
Who wants to have to betray their neighbors just to be trouble-free?
Who wants their own children to shiver with fear or curse whenever they hear the words "Truthfulness, Compassion, and Tolerance?"
Who wants to see the ruin of our present human society and live in one that admires a dictatorship and violence and disrespects conscience and virtue?
These are the reasons why the governments and people of this world that still value justice and conscience must stop this persecution!
With time the wounds and pain left by torture will slowly heal, but the mental and emotional torture can stay with a person for life. Even when they weren't doing anything to me, just being in the labor camp wore me down. I wanted my life back. As soon as I got sent back to Ireland, I threw myself back into reading Dafa books again and clarifying the truth to the public. I knew it was the only thing that was going to save me.
(Silence)
Prosecutor -- (Breaking the silence) Sir, are you at present a practitioner of Falun Dafa?
Zhao Ming -- Yes, I am. I have witnessed other Falun Dafa practitioners suffering tortures and brainwashing in the Chinese forced labor camp. Now, in this free environment, I can tell you how much I benefit physically and mentally from the practice of Falun Dafa. My heart of faith towards Falun Dafa has never changed. Nothing I wrote in the labor camp that contradicts my faith in Dafa came sincerely from my heart, and I recognize none of it. I will use the rest of my life to amend the moral loss caused by my temporary weakness.
My tormentors clearly knew I would never truly give up, but they still used such evil means to force me, against my will, to abandon my faith and my conscience. I want the Court to know what they are doing so that it will understand that the evil of Jiang's persecution lies in the darkness it injects into people's hearts, a darkness which takes away people's dignity and conscience. I am honored to be able to stand before this tribunal today, not only to do my part to bring Jiang to justice, but also so that I may be able help others to truly step out from the shadow of the persecution and start their lives anew.
Prosecutor -- Thank you. I have no further questions.
Judge (addressing the Prosecutor) -- Do you have any further witnesses?
Prosecutor -- Yes, I will now call the defendant, former Chinese leader Jiang Zemin, to the witness stand.
[The Defense Attorney gets into agitated exchange with Jiang. Counsel stands up.]
Counsel for Jiang -- Your Honor, my client wishes to exercise his right to remain silent.
Judge -- Are you saying he is now refusing to take the witness stand?
Defense Attorney -- Yes, your Honor.
Judge -- Then let it be duly noted that the defendant has refused to take the stand. Will you as his Counsel then be making a closing statement on his behalf?
[Defense Attorney consults with Jiang]
Defense Attorney -- Yes, your Honor.
Judge -- Then please proceed.
Defense Attorney -- Your Honor, my client enjoys head of state immunity because he currently is...er...uh...was the President of.... .... Your Honor, I would like to forgo the closing remarks.
Judge -- Prosecution, please present your closing remarks.
Prosecutor -- Thank you, your Honor, ladies and gentlemen, members of the press. Much evidence has been presented to you all in this historic case. Bringing a former world leader or head of state to trial is no trivial matter, not least because the kinds of crimes that such a person is capable of are no ordinary crimes. They are on a far-reaching, very broad scale. After all, is genocide not just murder on a massive scale? One man may torture another at one time, but someone with power over a nation may order others to inflict torture on many at the same time. A head of state may choose to use his power wisely and benevolently, or he may choose to abuse that power. Given the overwhelming evidence that has been presented in this case, it should be clear that Jiang Zemin has abused his power to inflict tremendous harm on Falun Dafa practitioners as well as the citizens of China and to waste the precious resources of the PRC. We are confident that Jiang will soon be held accountable for his many sins. Thank you.
Judge -- We find the defendant guilty as charged. The testimony of the witnesses over the course of this trial, the affidavits supplied to the court, the documents providing evidence of Falun Gong practitioners directly affected by the persecution by forced participation in brainwashing classes at re-education centers, as well as those detained illegally in mental hospitals, police stations, jails, detention centers, hotels, and medical hospitals is overwhelming. In addition the Court considers the millions more who were indirectly affected, such as family members, friends, co-workers, and relatives who live abroad. Families were torn apart, civil society was disrupted, and neighborhoods and communities were turned into war zones for ferreting out Falun Gong practitioners. The Court further considers the ways in which the propaganda apparatus slandered the innocent to justify their persecution. The Court notes the extent of the persecution and the millions upon millions whom it affected. The Court notes the extent of the mental component of the persecution geared to force persons to betray their conscience and to betray their dignity and belief in the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.
The Court notes further the countless lies Jiang Zemin and his "610" organization created and spread throughout China, Asia, Europe, and the United States. Because of Jiang Zemin's lies, countless people were led to misunderstand and discriminate against Falun Gong practitioners.
The Court notes further the illegality of the persecution -- that the defendant violated the Constitution of China, that he abused and misused his authority as head of state, that he suborned and abrogated functions of the government by means of threats, the examples of arrest and torture, bribery and slander. That he betrayed the entire government and the Chinese people, the very ones whom in fact he was obligated by law to defend and serve.
There is no question that the defendant is guilty of the most serious crimes of the century. He will be condemned and recalled as a most shameful and sinful figure for thousands upon thousands of years. It is imperative that history learns important lessons from this case. This trial is not only meant for the people of today. It speaks to a far wider audience -- to all peoples from all times and places. All who hear the evidence will know that the persecution against Falun Gong was not merely misguided but motivated by the basest of human flaws -- jealousy, greed, fear, self-interest, and antitheism.
And what has allowed the persecution to come to an end is the best of humanity -- honesty, kindness and compassion, and fortitude. The nobility and courage that Falun Gong practitioners have exhibited throughout this persecution will be remembered always. This process has been a testament to their perseverance, their courage, their ability to withstand what no human being should ever have to withstand.
We shall reconvene in two weeks, at which time the punishment of the defendant shall be imposed.
All adjourned.
[Gavel sounds]
Bailiff -- All rise!
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(Dai Zhizhen, with her daughter on stage, speaks)
My name is Dai Zhizhen. My daughter is only 3 years old. We are Australian citizens. What you saw here today was a portrayal done with actors, even though the facts are real. But there are still true stories happening in the persecution, and mine is one of them.
My husband was killed simply because he insisted on speaking the truth about Falun Dafa. He went to Beijing to hand a letter to the central government's appeal office, explaining how our family had benefited so much by practicing Falun Dafa, that Falun Dafa is good and should not be persecuted. He was then arrested by the Chinese police, put into jail, tortured, and died at the age of 34. I lost my husband when our daughter was 9 months old.
My sister-in-law was sent to a labor camp for 2 years because she did not want to give up her faith in Falun Dafa. My father-in-law was so shocked by these happenings that he died shortly afterwards.
After my husband was killed, I wanted to go back China and collect his ashes. But the Chinese Embassy refused to issue us a visa to go to China. I had to carry my daughter to visit all the members of parliament, the media, and the non-governmental organizations I could reach in Australia, until the Australian government finally helped me get his ashes back.
The most heart-breaking thing I have to face is my daughter's question, "Where is my daddy? I want Daddy." I don't know how to explain to my small child how her father died in this terror, because I am worried that it might affect her whole life.
In China, this tragedy did not happen just to my family. Millions of Falun Dafa practitioners in China are treated this way by Jiang Zemin, and they do not have a chance to speak out to the world.
Finally, I would like to say that I'm standing here today, on behalf of all the mothers and children that have been persecuted by Jiang Zemin and his 610 office in China, to ask the world's help to bring Jiang Zemin to justice and to end the persecution immediately.
The judges leave, followed by the lawyers.
The End
Editor's note: The persecution has been ongoing for over 4 years. It began on July 20, 1999, now ominously referred to as "7.20." Jiang Zemin abused his power to pursue his personal goals by illegally establishing "610 Offices" in order to persecute Falun Gong and to systematically fabricate lies and propaganda about Falun Gong. This blanket of lies perpetrated by the state-owned media has made it very difficult for people to see the facts clearly. This mock tribunal took 75 minutes to better clarify the truth to the world.
Please see Parts 1, 2, 3 and 4 on:
http://www.clearwisdom.net/emh/articles/2003/8/11/39023.html
http://www.clearwisdom.net/emh/articles/2003/8/15/39138.html
http://www.clearwisdom.net/emh/articles/2003/8/20/39230.html
http://www.clearwisdom.net/emh/articles/2003/8/21/39270.html