In the UK many practitioners have been contacting the leaders in their communities and explaining the truth about Falun Gong. This has involved writing many letters and meeting many people. As a result we have received statements of support from many politicians, academics and religious leaders. Below are some examples. The list of the names is included at the end.
U.K Practitioners
October 22, 2000
I believe that Falun Gong is an entirely peaceful spiritual movement which poses no threat to the People's Republic of China.
Article 18 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that: "Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance."
I believe that, under Article 18, everyone has the right to manifest his or her own belief in accordance with the tenets of Falun Gong.
I deplore the persecution and imprisonment of Falun Gong practitioners simply because of their beliefs and practices, and we urge our [UK] Governments, and international human rights organisations, including the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mrs Mary Robinson, to make continuous representations to the Government of the People's Republic of China, to allow Falun Gong practitioners to conduct their peaceful activities without interference or hindrance.
---- The Rt. Hon. Michael Howard QC MP, Former UK Home Secretary, 4 September 2000
Similar document also signed by Sir Sidney Chapman MP, Anne Campbell MP, Lord Beaumont, Baroness Usha Prashar
On the contrary, by developing the moral and spiritual goodness of its members it is a positive benefit to the nation.
---- additional statement made within the document by Bishop Dr. John Austin Baker, 20 September 2000
I know too that Her Majesty's government (and the European Union) have expressed to the Chinese authorities their concern about the treatment of Falun Gong adherents, since the movement was banned in July 1999.
Naturally, I share that concern and join Her Majesty's government in urging the Chinese authorities, in accordance with international human rights standards and the principles of the rule of law, to review the harsh sentences which have been imposed in some cases and to ensure that safeguards of a fair trial, including legal representation, are fully respected in relation to all the individuals concerned.
---- Letter from The Rt. Hon. The Lord Howe of Aberavon CH QC [former UK Chancellor], 4 Sept. 2000
Falun Gong has three watchwords: Truthfulness, Benevolence, Forbearance. These express admirable values, which are likely to produce social harmony.
This movement does not appear to have any of the characteristics normally associated with the word "cult", nor is it a political party. Its system of exercise and meditation seems to be one that deeply rooted in traditional Buddhism and Taoism.
I deeply regret that practitioners of Falun Gong and Falun Dafa are suffering repression in China. It is appalling that 42 such persons have suffered death while in custody of the Authorities.
---- Statement by The Lord Hylton, 1 September 2000
Any nation that wishes to be judged by its human rights record should provide freedom of expression and association and religious freedom to all its citizens.
One would wish that the Chinese Authorities would judge the practice of Falun Gong in China as a basic human right of its practitioners.
---- Statement by Dr Rudi Vis MP, 1 August 2000
I am pleased to inform you that I fully support the desires of people in China to Practice Falun Gong freely. It is a disgrace that the Chinese authorities have outlawed it even though it has been practised for many years without having caused any considerable disturbance.
---- Letter from Simon Thomas MP, 21 August 2000
this House urges the Government to support a resolution to the United Nation's Human Rights Commission in Geneva this March and April which calls on China to end this indefensible persecution of its own citizens.
---- House of Commons Early Day Motion 508, Signed by 17 MPs, 10 March 2000
The [UK] Government expressed their disappointment to the Chinese Government at the banning of the Falun Gong organisation on 22nd July and supported an EU Presidency demarche in Beijing on 29th July to the Chinese Government.
---- Baroness Scotland of Asthal, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Falun Gong is an entirely peaceful belief system which encourages the highest standards of moral behaviour
---- Lord Avebury, Lords' Hansard (House of Lords debate), China: Falun Gong, 21 Oct. 1999: Column 1292-1294
It is shocking to read of the arrest in China of Ms Yang Fang, Mr Zhao Ming and Mr Liu Feng for practicing and advocating Falun Gong. I came to know all three in Ireland and nobody could be more inoffensive and respectable, quietly practicing their exercises in Merrion Square. Falun Gong is entirely non-political, aiming at self-improvement through exercise and study. The underlying philosophy is difficult for many Westerners to comprehend, but these three people, all model citizens, are certainly good advertisements for it.
---- Letter to the Irish Times, by Lord Moyne, February 2, 2000
these people are not only harmless but also deeply respectable. They believe in enhancing their spirituality and exercising in large groups which have become rather conspicuous and the [Chinese] regime does not like people congregating except as organised by itself. The [Chinese] government is essentially still the same as that which devastated China during the Cultural Revolution.
---- Lord Moyne, in Daily Telegraph, 21 Oct. 1999
UK parliament
Alan Simpson
Anne Campbell
Baroness Miller
Baroness Richardson
Baroness Usha Prashar
Bill Etherington
Bob Russell
Brian Jenkins
Dafydd Wigley
David Trimble
Dr Jenny Tonge
Dr Lynne Jones
Dr Rudi Vis
Dr Stephen J Ladyman
Gerald Kaufmann
Glenda Jackson
Harry Cohen
Helen Brinton
Ian Stewart
Joe Ashton
Kevin McNamara
Leslie Turnberg
Lord Avebury
Lord Beaumont
Lord Brett
Lord Giles Joffe
Lord Goldsmith QC
Lord Goodhart Q.C.
Lord Howe
Lord Hylton
Lord Judd
Lord Lamont
Lord Moyne
Lord Russell-Johnston
Michael Howard QC
Paul Flynn
Simon Thomas
Sir Peter Lloyd
Sir Sydney Chapman
Sir Teddy Taylor
Stephen Day
The Baroness Howells
Tony Lloyd
National Assembly for Wales
A J Tobin
Ann Jones
Cefyn H Williams
Cynog Dafis
Gareth Jones
Rod Richards
Scottish Councillors
Allan Petrie
Andy Davison
Dave Beattie
David Bowes
Elizabeth Fordyce J.P.
J.Barrie
Joe Fitzpatrick
Kenneth Guild
Rikki Beattie
William Sawers
Greater London Assembly Member
Brian Johnson
Academics
Helen Fenwick Law Department, Durham University
Professor GA Cohen, All Souls College, Oxford University
Prof.Andrew Collier Philosophy Department, Southampton University
Kinch Hoekstra Philosophy Department, Balliol College, Oxford University
Steven Greer Law Department, Bristol University
Prof.John Brooke Religions
All content published on this website is copyrighted by Minghui.org. Minghui will produce compilations of its online content regularly and on special occasions.
Category: Voices of Support Worldwide
