It is reported that there was a press conference recently held at the French Parliament by the French Green Party members, China's famous Democratic Movement leaders and France-based Democratic Movement leaders concerning China's human rights issues. During the conference, they talked about China's brutal persecution against Falun Gong, which is currently the most serious violation of human rights in China.

The major spokesperson of the conference spent most of his time talking about his view on the suppression of Falun Gong. He said, "Falun Gong members have never been involved in politics, nor have they advocated democracy or human rights. They only seek their health improvement and moral elevation. Why does the Chinese government suppress such a group of people? It is because Falun Gong has developed to such an extent that the number of its practitioners exceeded that of the XX party members. The suppression of Falun Gong has been the most serious persecution since the 'Great Cultural Revolution' in China. Dozens of Falun Gong practitioners have died after being subjected to the government sanctioned persecution. Nonetheless, the western media and politicians have been keeping silent on this issue. It is really a shame as it does not conform to the spirit of democratic freedom."

When he was asked if China would rescind the notorious "reeducation through forced labor" system, this spokesperson said, "it wouldn't, because the 'reeducation through forced labor' is the most direct and fastest means of suppression employed by the Chinese government. I myself was one of the victims. At present, many Falun Gong practitioners are detained at the forced labor camps." Another Democratic Movement leader added, "Now the Chinese government has invested tens of millions of RMB to build two more labor camps where they have detained Falun Gong practitioners."

Some other people at the conference listed a series of numbers: Dozens of Falun Gong practitioners have died during this state sponsored persecution; several hundreds have been committed to mental hospitals. Tens of thousands of practitioners were illegally detained indefinitely. They strongly condemned the brutality against Falun Gong in China.

About 40 people including the reporters from both the Chinese and Western media, and specialists on Chinese Study attended the press conference.

In addition, there was a report on October 21 in "the European Daily", a major Chinese newspaper in Europe. Mr. Jack Lang, the Current French Minster of Education met on October 19 with the Democratic Movement leader Wu Hongda at his office. Mr. Wu condemned China's suppression of Falun Gong.

A French Reader

October 31, 2000