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- From: Falun Dafa Canada InfoCentre <info-centre@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: dafa-news-ottawa@xxxxxxxxxxxxx,
- Date: Thu, 14 Mar 2002 16:26:52 +0000
Hunger Strike to Stop Chinese President’s
New “Shoot on Sight” and “Kill Without Mercy” Orders
Statement by Falun Gong Practitioners on Hunger Strike
Ottawa, Canada
March 13, 2002
Today, we have gathered at Ottawa’s Parliament Hill in a symbolic fast: 36
hours without food. We are calling the immediate attention of our government,
kind-hearted people, NGOs and the international community toward what is now a
state of critical and urgent crisis in a recent, sharp escalation in the brutal
persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China. Canada’s voice is needed.
Following orders to “completely eliminate” Falun Gong, police in China have
been ordered to “shoot on sight" Falun Gong practitioners seen putting up
banners, posters or distributing flyers. At least three shooting cases have
already been reported. On February 12, the first day of the Chinese New Year,
Mishan City policeman Du Yongshan discovered Falun Gong practitioner Jiang
Honglu posting Falun Gong literature at around 2 a.m. The policeman reportedly
opened fire, and Jiang’s leg was broken in the incident. On February 16, in
Anshan City, police opened fire on three Falun Gong practitioners. One of the
men was struck twice, the first bullet traveling straight through his upper
thigh, the other grazing his face. Photographs of one shooting victim have
been posted on www.faluninfo.net.
In another recent escalation of violence, last week orders were passed down
from the Chinese president to “kill them [Falun Gong practitioners] without
mercy”, with lists of practitioners being compiled nation-wide. Over 100
Falun Gong practitioners in Changchun City have already been kidnapped and
their whereabouts are now unknown. This has been the most serious escalation
thus far in the already severe persecution of Falun Gong in China.
It has been two years and eight months since the persecution of Falun Gong
started in China. When the persecution of Falun Gong started, practitioners
initially adopted the standard means outlined in the Chinese Constitution of
visiting Appeals Offices to present their case, petitioning the government to
stop persecuting innocent people. Practitioners clarified to the Chinese
government Falun Gong’s truly peaceful, beneficial and apolitical nature.
When Falun Gong practitioners were denied this right to appeal and when Appeals
Offices became gates to labour camps (Amnesty International reported Appeals
Offices even taking down their signs), Falun Gong practitioners then appealed
peacefully for international support to resolve the situation. As the
persecution in China escalated and harsh violence and torture was officially
sanctioned and became prevalent, Falun Gong practitioners approached NGO’s,
human rights groups and the public for support. Through every step and every
escalation of violence, Falun Dafa practitioners have used peaceful and
rational means to appeal for the end of the persecution, keeping in mind the
interest of society, the government and their own safety.
The peacefulness and determination of Falun Dafa practitioners have been
acknowledged with successive Nobel Peace Prize nominations the past two years,
awards from the United States’ oldest human rights organization, Freedom
House, the praise of law enforcement and governments around the world, hundreds
of proclamations from Mayors and other government officials and the support of
millions of people throughout society. Falun Dafa practitioners have achieved
this because their pursuit is not for political power or self-interest but
rather to espouse and protect the very values that Falun Dafa has brought to
us—namely the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. Falun Dafa
practitioners in China and around the world strive to uphold and protect these
principles, dedicating their lives so that future generations may also benefit
from the virtuous teachings of Falun Dafa.
Falun Dafa practitioners in China are now being shot in the streets and summary
executions have been ordered. What appropriate avenue of appeal remains? This
is why a peaceful, patient and rational group of people are now fasting at the
steps of our capital to demonstrate the urgency and the severity of the current
severe escalation of violence against innocent people.
On March 19th, the UN Human Rights Commission's 58th session will convene in
Geneva. If this inhuman persecution of Falun Gong, which has now reached
unconscionable levels of ruthlessness and barbarity, is allowed to escape
official condemnation, it will be an eternal stain on our world’s history and
a deep shame for all UN member countries. Tabling a motion to censure China for
these atrocities is not an option or a matter of choice; it is an absolute
responsibility of the entire international community. It is also fundamental
for Canada’s future perception as a nation that upholds basic human rights
and cherishes the basic values of Truth-Compassion-Forbearance , which are
espoused by Falun Dafa.
We call on our Canadian government to initiate a resolution, that condemns and
censures China for its persecution of Falun Gong, at the UN meeting beginning
in Geneva next week. We appeal to all people to help stop president Jiang
Zemin’s “Shoot on Sight” and “Kill Without Mercy” orders and to
rescue Falun Gong practitioners who are suffering persecution in China.
We participate in this 36-hour symbolic fast in the hopes that it may awaken
your hearts and inspire you to do what is right.
******************************************************
Hunger Strikers on Parliament Hill
Increases to 100
China’s Police Ordered to Shoot Falun Gong Practitioners in the Streets for
Hanging Banners and Handing Out Flyers
Activities on Thursday March 14 (Day 2), Ottawa
Hunger Strike Till 9pm Parliament Hill
March to Foreign Affairs 3:45-4.30pm Parliament Hill to Foreign
Affairs
… then to Chinese Embassy 4.40 -5:00 pm Foreign Affairs to Chinese
Embassy
Candle Light Vigil 5-7pm in front of Chinese Embassy
Ottawa, March 14 – The first day of a hunger strike by approximately 70 Falun
Gong practitioners came to an end on Wednesday March 13 with a beautiful candle
light vigil in front of Parliament Hill. The number of hunger strikers
increases to over 100 this morning.
Some other Falun Gong practitioners in Canada who were unable to make the
sudden trip to Ottawa have joined in the hunger strike at their homes or in
their workplaces.
The hunger strike is in response to the most severe escalation of violence
against Falun Gong practitioners by Chinese officials since the start of the
persecution over 2 ½ years ago.
Chinese president Jiang Zemin, without proper legal procedure, reportedly gave
orders to “Kill (Falun Gong practitioners) without Mercy”, immediately
following a March 5 surprise TV broadcast in Changchun city in northeastern
China that was supportive of Falun Gong. Cities and provinces across China have
been compiling lists of specific Falun Gong practitioners to be executed.
A letter to the PM was delivered to the PMO on the first day of hunger strike.
They urge the Canadian government to put forth a resolution at the United
Nations 58th Human Rights Commission starting next week, condemning the
unprecedented escalation in the persecution of Falun Gong in China. “It is
Canada’s international responsibility to stop this state terrorism in
China,” said Zenon Dolnyckyj of Toronto, who initiated the hunger strike
This request was echoed by several MPs yesterday who personally commended
practitioners on the site of hunger strike and more wrote supporting letters.
China’s police have received orders to “shoot on sight” any Falun Gong
practitioners seen handing out or posting Falun Gong flyers in China. So far
four practitioners have been reported shot in the streets in Liaoning and
Heilongjiang Provinces. (see detailed and photos of person shot reports at
http://faluninfo.net )
Falun Gong is a high level self-improvement practice that is based on the
principles of Truthfulness, Compassion and Tolerance. Mr. Li Hongzhi introduced
it to the public in 1992 in China. Since then, millions of individuals around
the world have taken up the peaceful, meditative practice.
Due to its popularity in China, Falun Gong was banned by Jiang Zemin’s regime
in 1999. A massive propaganda campaign started to demonize the group to justify
the crackdown. According to government sources, at least 1,600 practitioners
have died in the hands of police.
Contact: Zenon Dolnyckyj 416-568-8289 (cell) Grace Wallensak 613-864-4408
Website: www.faluninfo.net www.falundafa.ca
___________________________________________________________________________
For background on the spiritual practice and the crisis in China, please visit
http://falundafa.ca/infocentre . To subscribe, unsubscribe or change the
delivery mode, please visit http://mulist.cjb.net
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