(Minghui.org) About 5,000 Falun Gong practitioners gathered outside Taiwan's Presidential Office Building, located in Taipei, on July 18, 2015. The event was to commemorate the 16-year-long persecution of Falun Gong in China that was launched on July 20, 1999, as well as the recent rise in criminal complaints against Jiang Zemin.
Rally outside Taiwan's Presidential Office Building on July 18The banner reads, “Supporting Tens of Thousands of Lawsuits Against Jiang Zemin for Persecuting Falun Gong.”
Ms. Zhang Jinhua
Ms. Zhang Jinhua, coordinator of the Taiwanese Falun Gong Association said, “Throughout history, we have seen many times that the righteous was challenged by the vicious. But, in the end, the righteous always prevails.” She called on more people to support this righteous cause and support freedom of belief.
Mr. Zhong Dingbang: 54 Days in Chinese Detention Center
Mr. Zhong Dingbang
Mr. Zhong Dingbang, founder and CEO of an IT firm, filed a criminal complaint against Jiang.
“The Chinese communist regime detained me for 54 days three years ago,” said Mr. Zhong, “because I planned to intercept the television signals and tell the public the facts about Falun Gong. After all, this regime has defamed Falun Gong for 16 years and people have no access to the facts. All they have seen is the hate-propaganda from the state-controlled media.”
Although Chinese officials demanded that Zhong provide information during his detention, he refused to do so. Meanwhile, rescue efforts started in Taiwan. More than 200,000 signatures were collected that called for his release.
“I was released,” said Mr. Zhong, “because so many people showed their support. But, the persecution of Falun Gong in China still continues. I hope more people will step forward to end this brutality and support freedom of belief.”
Mr. Zhu Keming: Jailed for Five Years for Suing Jiang
Mr. Zhu Keming was jailed for five years in Beijing for suing Jiang in 2000.
Hong Kong practitioner Mr. Zhu Keming filed a lawsuit against Jiang in 2000 while still in Beijing.
“Because of that,” he said, “I was jailed for five years. I was cruelly beaten and suffered other types of torture.”
He tried six times to sue Jiang while in prison, but was unsuccessful. After his release, he went to Hong Kong in 2007 and continued his effort to sue Jiang.
“The persecution of Falun Gong by Jiang and the Communist Party has had a large and negative impact on China and its position in the international community,” he said.
Mr. Zhu said that the human rights violations against practitioners disrupts the Chinese justice system. Meanwhile, when Jiang forces news outlets to remain silent on this issue, he is jeopardizing the moral standard worldwide.
“That's why the lawsuits against Jiang are critical, because they are needed to regain moral awareness in society,” said Mr. Zhu.
Human Rights Lawyer Wei Qianfeng Applauds Lawsuits Against Jiang
Human rights lawyer Wei Qianfeng
Wei Qianfeng, a human rights lawyer, thanked those who filed criminal complaints against Jiang.
“It's not an easy process, but we will get there for sure,” he said.
The totalitarian regime in China has abused its power and not only arrested practitioners, but also detained at least 200 human rights lawyers.
“This has violated United Nations human rights conventions, China's Constitution and other laws,” said Mr. Wei.
He supports the lawsuits against Jiang and hopes that the detained practitioners and human rights lawyers will be released soon.
Gao Weibang: Assets Stolen by the Communist Regime
Gao Weibang, an investor, whose assets were stolen by the Chinese regime, also spoke at the event.
“Two major things happened to me in 1999,” he said. “First, I lost my fortune because of the communist party and second, I witnessed how the Party mobilized the news media nationwide to defame Falun Gong, a peaceful meditation group with no political pursuits.”
He said that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has stayed in power through violence and lies. The criminal complaints against Jiang will be instrumental in bringing an end to this regime, preventing more people from becoming its victims.
Dr. Nie Sen: "The Persecution is Genocide"
Dr. Nie Sen, a department chair at the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., said that the persecution of Falun Gong is genocide.
“This persecution is nearing its end,” he said. “We can see this from the 82,000 criminal complaints against Jiang that were filed in just two months. We know that good is rewarded with good' and evil meets with evil. The day will come soon for Jiang to meet his fate.”
He called on Taiwan citizens and organizations not to bow to the Chinese communist's power.
“Let's embrace this right cause and help restore the social conscience,” he said. “At this critical moment in history, our efforts will help maintain traditional values and create a better future for us and for future generations.”
Category: July 20 Events
