(Minghui.org) Riley Barnes, the US Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL), met with Falun Gong practitioners on July 13, 2026, and discussed the suppression of the practice by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which has been ongoing since July 1999.
During the 2026 International Religious Freedom (IRF) Peace Builders Forum on July 16, Barnes, the Ambassador at Large for IRF, condemned the CCP’s persecution of Falun Gong and reiterated his support for Falun Gong practitioners.
Riley Barnes, the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State, speaks at the 2026 International Religious Freedom (IRF) Peace Builders Forum on July 16 in Washington, DC.
Meeting at the State Department
On July 13, 2026, Assistant Secretary Barnes met with five Falun Gong practitioners at the State Department. During the one-hour meeting, the practitioners thoroughly briefed Barnes and several State Department officials about Falun Gong, why the CCP fears Falun Gong, the latest developments in the persecution in mainland China, and the CCP’s transnational suppression of Falun Gong and Shen Yun Performing Arts outside of China.
A practitioner discussed how Falun Gong has benefited an estimated 100 million people, both physically and mentally and how Falun Gong’s guiding principles, Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, have deeply resonated with so many. Faced with brutal persecution, practitioners in mainland China established thousands of home-based information production and distribution points. They distribute information about Falun Gong and copies of the Nine Commentaries on the Communist Party to tell people, many of whom have been misled by the CCP’s lies, the truth about Falun Gong and the persecution. Despite threat of arrest and imprisonment, practitioners continue to persevere out of compassion.
The practitioners explained that Falun Gong practitioners outside China have established media outlets and developed software to help people in China break through the CCP’s internet blockade so they can read overseas websites that are not accessible within China.
The practitioner further explained that 20 years ago, Falun Gong practitioners founded Shen Yun Performing Arts, which has since grown into eight performing groups that present “China before communism” to millions of audience members worldwide each year. Through their performances they debunk the CCP’s lie that the current regime represents Chinese culture and the Chinese people. Because of their peaceful, continuous, and effective efforts to reveal the truth, the CCP is extremely fearful of Falun Gong.
Exposing Transnational Suppression
In response to Assistant Secretary Barnes’s concern about the CCP’s transnational suppression, a practitioner detailed the CCP’s escalating harassment, intimidation, and attacks against Falun Gong overseas and Shen Yun in recent years, especially in the United States. The representative also mentioned the CCP’s use of information warfare to mislead people, and its legal warfare to exhaust the energy and resources of Falun Gong practitioners. These new campaigns are under the guidance of the CCP’s recent policies.
Another practitioner recounted her and her husband’s experience of being brutally persecuted in China because they practice Falun Gong. She was imprisoned twice and forced to flee her home, while her husband was twice sent to labor camps and was sentenced to a 10-year prison term, spending a total of 11 years in prison. Her young daughter grew up in fear and was not allowed to see her parents. During the years her father was in prison, the child was only allowed to visit him once.
Barnes inquired in detail about various aspects of the persecution, with particular focus on the CCP’s transnational suppression.
Condemning the CCP’s Persecution at IRF Forum
To celebrate America’s 250th birthday, the International Forum of Religious Freedom Peace Builders convened in Washington DC from July 16 to 17, where Assistant Secretary Barnes delivered a keynote address on the first day as the Ambassador at Large for IRF.
“Our founders fled religious persecution for a freedom-loving land, and so ensured that the founding documents of this country protected religious freedom as an unalienable right,” Barnes remarked. “They recognized that when a government fails to protect religious freedom as a right by nature, the freedoms of speech, expression, and peaceful assembly also crumble.
“We recognize that America and our people benefit immeasurably from protection of religious freedom – and we aspire for all others to enjoy the same freedom, protection, and benefit.”
Visa Restrictions and the Expanded Scope of Accountability
Assistant Secretary Barnes emphasized accountability. “In December 2025, Secretary Rubio announced the first ever visa restriction policy for individuals who have participated in religious freedom violations,” he stated. This policy expands on the existing visa ineligibility focused strictly on government officials who are responsible for severe violations. Under the new policy, any individuals who have directed, authorized, significantly supported, participated in, or carried out violations of religious freedom abroad – and their immediate family members – could be ineligible to enter the United States.
The US believes that countering transnational repression is important. “We are determined to hold perpetrators accountable for violating our sovereignty and targeting Americans on American soil,” Barnes continued. “Within the United States, we work to support members of groups that are at risk by educating them on what TNR [transnational repression] even is; provide law enforcement with training; and strengthen our interagency coordination in response to specific incidents.
“Serious religious persecution is happening in China. Across the Pacific, Beijing disregards religious freedom and exercises hostility toward members of most religious and spiritual groups. These groups include predominantly Muslim Uyghurs and Hui, Tibetan Buddhists, Protestants, Catholics, and Falun Gong practitioners.
“July 20 marks the 27th anniversary of the CCP’s cruel campaign to eradicate Falun Gong,” Barnes continued. “The US government takes attacks on members of religious groups such as the Falun Gong seriously and is committed to using all appropriate tools to pursue accountability for Chinese officials’ involvement in repressive acts.”
At the end of his speech, Assistant Secretary Barnes encouraged participating groups to continue to meet with colleagues from the IRF office, to continue sharing information that can help the US government implement new visa restrictions and ensure that those who significantly support or participate in violations of religious freedom are held accountable. “Working together, we can better advocate for prisoners of conscience around the world and help reunite individuals with their families,” he said.
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