NEW YORK, March 11, 2002 (Falun Dafa Information Center) -- Prior to Jiang Zemin's orders on March 5th to "kill [Falun Dafa practitioners] without pardon," reports from inside China indicate that police had been ordered to shoot "on sight" Falun Gong practitioners caught putting up banners, posters or distributing flyers.

"Shoot on Sight" order precedes two recent shooting incidents

Case 1: 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.

Case 2: On February 16, in an incident predating the broadcast on March 5th, three Falun Gong practitioners tapped into the signal of an Anshan City cable TV network and broadcast videos exposing the ongoing persecution against Falun Gong. Police caught up with the three and opened fire. One of the men was struck twice, the first bullet traveling straight through his upper thigh, the other grazing his face. (see photos)

A reliable source inside China revealed that shortly before the Chinese New Year, Liu Jing, a leader of the national 610 Office (an extra-judicial agency specifically created to persecute Falun Gong) convened a meeting where he angrily criticized Jilin Province's lack of effectiveness in the persecution. He gave strict orders to "completely eliminate" Falun Gong, and passed down the order: "shoot to kill."

The Changchun City Public Security Bureau immediately conducted large-scale arrests of Falun Gong practitioners for several nights in succession. Sources report that the standing order at the time was that Falun Gong practitioners discovered in the act of putting up posters or hanging up banners were to be shot "on sight."

"We now have two documented cases of practitioners being shot merely for distributing information," said Falun Dafa Information Center spokesperson Gail Rachlin. "This is a state of emergency," Ms. Rachlin continued. "The international community cannot remain silent as Jiang Zemin's regime openly kills innocent Chinese citizens. It is the responsibility of all nations to ensure such genocidal policies have no place in this world."

Background

Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a practice of meditation and exercises with teachings based on the universal principle of "Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance." It is a practice that was taught in private for thousands of years before being made public in 1992 by Mr. Li Hongzhi. Falun Gong has roots in traditional Chinese culture, but it is distinct and separate from other practices in China, such as the religions of Buddhism and Taoism. Since its introduction in 1992, it quickly spread by word of mouth throughout China, and is now practiced in over 50 countries.

With government estimates of as many as 100 million practicing Falun Gong, China's President Jiang Zemin outlawed the peaceful practice in July 1999, fearful of anything touching the hearts and minds of more citizens than the Communist Party. Unable to crush the spirit of millions who had experienced improved health and positive life changes from Falun Gong, Jiang's regime has intensified its propaganda campaign to turn public opinion against the practice while quietly imprisoning, torturing and even murdering those who practice it.

The Falun Dafa Information Center has verified details of over 375 deaths since the persecution of Falun Gong in China began in 1999. Government officials inside China, however, report that the actual death toll is well over 1,600. Over 100,000 have been detained, with more than 20,000 being sentenced to forced labor camps without trial. (3/11/2002áá14:32)