News and Events from around the World -- April 8, 2006
Issued by Clearwisdom Net

Content

- European Falun Dafa Experience Sharing Conference Successfully Held in Geneva
- Australia: Foreign Minister Downer Stops Signing Restriction Certificates to Avoid Appearing in Court
- Falun Gong Practitioners hold a Grand Parade in Geneva to Protest Against the Sujiatun Concentration Camp
- Australia: Falun Gong Anti-Torture Exhibition Draws Concern during Wen's Visit
- "Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance" Painting Exhibition Tours Israeli Cities
- Taiwan: Candlelight Vigil to Commemorate Fellow Practitioners Tortured to Death and Call for an End of CCP's Persecution

European Falun Dafa Experience Sharing Conference Successfully Held in Geneva

The 2006 European Falun Dafa Experience Sharing Conference was held in Geneva on the 2nd of April. Falun Gong practitioners attended from more than thirty countries including France, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Germany, Taiwan, Russia, Latvia, Romania, Switzerland, Austria, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, Belgium and the Netherlands.

The United Nations' General Headquarters is located in Switzerland. Since the holding of the first experience exchange conference in Geneva in 1998, almost every spring a similar conference is held in Europe.

Conference hall

Over a dozen practitioners shared their experiences of practicing Falun Gong and assimilating to the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance as they work to raise awareness about the persecution against the practice.

Some of the practitioners talked about their experiences in helping to spread "Nine Commentaries of the Communist Party" and help Chinese people break free from the evil spectre of Communism and see the truly evil nature of the Chinese Communist Party. Practitioners from Poland and Latvia talked about how they got rid of various kinds of interference and successfully held a forum on the Nine Commentaries in Poland and the Baltic states.

Practitioners talked about how they told the facts at school from the perspective of teacher and student. Sissel was an elementary school teacher from Norway and has practiced Falun Gong for three years. Sissel was introverted and too shy to talk about Falun Gong and the persecution to her family, friends and at school at the beginning. However, her will to help end the brutal persecution overcame her fear. She began to provide Falun Gong lessons to the students at the school and got in touch with other schools voluntarily to offer free Falun Gong exercise classes. A Chinese student in Sweden talked about how he overcame the language barrier and told about the truth of the persecution of Falun Gong and spread the "Nine Commentaries" to the students and people in the community at an exhibition held by his school.

The media is an important tool for raising awareness of the persecution against Falun Gong and exposing the Chinese Communist Party's human rights atrocities. Ms. Yang from Switzerland just finished a two-year Master's program in communication in New York. At several international conferences on communication, she promoted Falun Gong through her report and talking with participants. Ms. Mo from Great Britain participated in broadcasting radio shows to China. The radio station she works for has helped many people in Mainland China see through the Chinese Communist Party's lies and deceit.

Some practitioners talked at the experience sharing conference about how they visited different cities and areas quietly in their own country, held activities, gave out leaflets and helped many people learn the truth about Falun Gong.

People who practice Falun Gong were not the only people to attend the experience sharing conference. Mr. Wu Baozhang, former director of the Chinese section of Radio France International and a senior journalist, attended his first Falun Gong Experience Sharing Conference. He talked about his impressions of the meeting afterwards. In his view, the presentations were excellent and he learned a lot. Many topics discussed at the conference could be reported by the media. At present, people only know that Falun Gong is being persecuted. However, the presentation showed that Falun Gong has also done a lot of beneficial things for society and he was highly touched. He finished by saying that he would like to go to the next conference too.

http://clearharmony.net/articles/200604/32361.html

Australia: Foreign Minister Downer Stops Signing Restriction Certificates to Avoid Appearing in Court

On the morning of April 3, 2006, Falun Gong practitioners held a press conference in front of ACT Supreme Court in Canberra about the case against Foreign Minister Alexander Downer over restrictions on their regular protests outside the Chinese Embassy. It was heard that Downer could not provide related evidence to justify his actions, and had to stop issuing the certificate barring protesters from displaying large banners outside the embassy. He also agreed to pay petition charges.

Falun Gong attorney Bernard is interviewed

Lawyer Bernard Collaery said in an interview that Downer stopped issuing certificates to avoid showing up in court and providing government evidence to justify his actions. Downer falsely claimed to Australia's Parliament, media and public that Falun Gong practitioners broadcast for 24 hours a day with loudspeakers and interfered with Chinese Embassy staff. He used his power and signed certificates every month for four years, barring practitioners from displaying large banners outside the Chinese Embassy. Because Downer cannot provide evidence of his allegations and former Chinese Consulate official Chen Yonglin exposed the under the table agreement about Falun Gong between the Australia Foreign Ministry and the Chinese Communist regime, Downer realized that he would face questioning from the public about his agreement with the CCP. To avoid showing up in court, he decided to stop signing the certificate. The lawyer said that Downer should know that he would face legal challenges if he does similar things in the future.

Falun Gong practitioner Jeff read out loud an open statement in the conference. The statement said that Downer's allegations are not true. Falun Gong practitioners used a small speaker in front of the Chinese Embassy, turned on only when tourist bus arrived and turned off after they left. The statement said that in February 2006, an Australian reporter once followed up the Chinese Embassy's complaint to the police about noise from practitioners and that the Australian federal police denied such allegations after an investigation. This indicated that Downer signed the certificates based on false charges.

The statement said that the Supreme Court held several hearings, but Downer intentionally delayed appearing and providing evidence to the court. In the end he could not delay anymore but stopped signing the certificate and agreed to pay the lawsuit fee.

Plaintiff practitioners Cuiying Zhang and Zhizhen Dai said in a joint speech, "The certificate issue is not only related to Falun Gong practitioners, but involved with very basic human rights issue in Australia, including freedom of speech and freedom of belief. We will continue to protest in front of the Chinese Embassy and expose the CCP's brutal crimes."

Ms. Seland, a practitioner, said in an interview that since the Supreme Court accepted the case in June 2005, Falun Gong practitioners have held many truth-clarification and signature collection activities in front of the court. Through various channels, practitioners called on the Australian public to pay attention to the CCP's persecution of Falun Gong and help end Foreign Minister Downer's abuse of power to ignore human rights and deprive practitioners' rights of peaceful protest in front of the Chinese Embassy.

Background

On March 16, 2002, one day before the upcoming visit of Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan, Australia Foreign Minster Downer signed the first certificate barring Falun Gong practitioners from using banners in front of the Chinese Embassy. He used the excuse that the practitioners' banners and music was harming the dignity of the Chinese delegation and Embassy in Australia. From that point on, Downer signed the certificates for four years based on a 1992 foreign mission privilege and waiver. For three years, Falun Gong practitioners tried to have a dialogue with him to resolve the issue but got no response. Thus, on June 9, 2005, practitioners Cuiying Zhang and Zhizhen Dai jointly filed a petition to the ACT Supreme Court alleging that Foreign Minister Downer abused his power to sign the certificates and deprived the Falun Gong practitioners' rights. They requested the court to issue an order to keep Downer from signing the certificate.

Falun Gong Practitioners hold a Grand Parade in Geneva to Protest Against the Sujiatun Concentration Camp

On April 3, 2006, practitioners from thirty or so European countries and others from Taiwan held a grand parade in downtown Geneva, Switzerland to protest against the Chinese Communist regime establishing concentration camps in Sujiatun and other regions to remove living Falun Gong practitioners' organs. The organs are sold before their bodies are cremated. The practitioners called on the United Nations to launch an independent investigation into this incident and urged the international community to pay attention to the Chinese Communist regime's escalation of the persecution against Falun Gong.

Exposing atrocities in the Sujiatun Concentration Camp

The parade lasted about two and half hours, setting out at 9:30 in the morning from Place Neue, moving alongside Lake Geneva and through the Palais des Nations and finally arriving at the location of the United Nations' Human Rights Commission, where a press conference was held.

Dr. Charles Graves, Secretary General of Interfaith International, gives remarks at the press conference

The procession passed the busiest business district and famous tourist attractions such as the Flower Clock and the Jet d'Eau. People were infuriated by the Chinese regime's cruel atrocities. Some kindhearted Swiss people, out of compassion and sympathy, shed tears for the Falun Gong practitioners who are being persecuted in Mainland China.

The procession was led by a waist drum team, which was followed by various banners reading "Falun Dafa Is Good", "Truthfulness, Compassion and Tolerance", "Falun Gong" "Falun Gong has enabled one hundred million people to become healthy" etc. The next team was a group of people explaining the facts about the Chinese Communist regime's persecution of Falun Gong. Along the way, they broadcast the facts of the persecution and exposed the inside story of atrocities in the Sujiatun Concentration Camp, both in English and French. Among them were several dozen female practitioners in white clothing holding photos of the practitioners that were persecuted to death by the Chinese Communist regime. Following them were several dozen banners bearing the words, "Strongly Urging the UN to Immediately Launch an Investigation into China's Atrocities of 'Eliminating Evidence by Killing' and 'Harvesting Human Organs for Sale' in the Sujiatun Concentration Camp," "Protest China's Harvesting of Falun Gong Practitioners' Organs", etc.

Falun Gong practitioners' compassionate deeds based on the universal principles of "Truthfulness, Compassion and Tolerance" provided a stark contrast to the Chinese Communist regime's inhuman atrocities.

The procession was about one kilometer long. To support the parade, along the way many local people applauded from time to time, while drivers honked their support or rolled down their windows to accept fliers. A Swiss gentleman said, "The Sujiatun incident is really very cruel. It is very important for you to expose the atrocities to the people in the outside world so that people may rethink (about China)." Another gentleman said, "It's a good idea to expose this incident to western people."

When the procession passed a high school, many students opened their windows to see the parade. After viewing the words on the banners, many of the students held up their fingers in a V-shape to practitioners. Due to poor eyesight, an elderly Swiss woman asked a practitioner to read a flyer for her. After that, she sighed and said to the practitioner, "We wish you a great success!"

At the press conference at the final destination of the parade, the Palais Will, where the United Nations' Human Rights Commission is located, the European Falun Gong Association, Interfaith International and other non-governmental organizations made their speeches. They also held a press conference at Palais Will. The European Falun Gong Association called on the United Nations and all people around the world to pay attention to the Sujiatun incident and help put an end to the persecution against innocent Falun Gong practitioners. In the meantime, she expressed her appreciation to all the governments, non-governmental organizations and people for their support for Falun Gong. She in particular thanked the UN officials who have helped Falun Gong practitioners in spite of China's pressure.

According to a Reuters report on March the 30th, United Nations torture investigator Mr. Manfred Nowak said that he is looking into allegations that thousands of Falun Gong practitioners are being held at a Chinese "concentration camp" and some have been killed.

Mr. Nowak said: "The allegation is Falun Gong practitioners are being used for the sale of organs and human tissues." "According to the allegation nobody has so far left this concentration camp." "I am presently in the process of investigating as far as I can these allegations," he told a news briefing. "If I come to the conclusion that it is a serious and well-founded allegation, then I will officially submit it for the attention of the Chinese government."

Australia: Falun Gong Anti-Torture Exhibition Draws Concern during Wen's Visit

During Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao's visit to Australia, Falun Gong practitioners held a series of activities to peacefully protest against the CCP's persecution of Falun Gong. On the morning of April 3, 2006, Falun Gong practitioners held an anti-torture exhibition in Martin Place, downtown Sydney. They exposed the CCP's persecution of Falun Gong and the atrocities of live-harvesting Falun Gong practitioners' organs and cremating their bodies to destroy evidence in Sujiatun Concentration Camp. In the mean time, they showed support of Falun Gong practitioner Pan Yu's legal action against Chinese Minister of Commerce Bo Xilai for torture.

Anti-torture exhibition exposes persecution | Passersby stop to read display boards carefully

Standing in the middle of the square were large banners in Chinese and English stating "Falun Gong Practitioners Jailed and Killed in Sujiatun, China", "Protest against the CCP's secret Sujiatun Concentration Camp", and "Protest against CCP's Brutal Killing of Falun Gong Practitioners." Banners and a dozen display boards drew the passersby's attention.

Falun Gong practitioners distributed flyers and newsletters about the Sujiatun Concentration Camp, told people about the crimes committed against Falun Gong practitioners in China, and collected signatures to call on the Australian government to pay urgent attention to this matter and to take action against these crimes.

Martin Place is a busy district. Thousands of people saw the display and heard about the concentration camp within a few hours. They were shocked to know that such inhumane persecution still exists in the 21st century. Many people signed to request the Australian government to help stop the atrocities. Some asked if there was anything else they could do to help. Some took more materials for their friends.

The exhibition was held on the day that Australian Prime Minister met with Wen Jiabao. Major Australian media again focused on the persecution of Falun Gong and China's human right issues. Many media, including Reuters, AP and AFP sent reporters and photographers to the anti-torture exhibition. They spent close to an hour taking pictures of the persecution display and torture demonstration.

"Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance" Painting Exhibition Tours Israeli Cities

Since November 2005, the "Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance" painting exhibition has been held in Israel's largest cities. Falun Gong practitioner artists represented in their work the beauty of Falun Gong, as well as the brutal persecution of practitioners in China. So far, the exhibition has been held in four cities.

People view and admire the paintings and listen to Falun Gong practitioners' explanation

The first exhibition was held in the House of Painter in Tel Aviv, which also hosted a seminar regarding the CCP's violations of human rights and the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners. The exhibition has raised great concern in society and was reported by the media.

Following Tel Aviv, the exhibition went to Beersheba, Bat Yam, and Haifa. In order to also demonstrate the exercises, practitioners chose venues that could accommodate a lot of people to hold the exhibition, such as the House of Teacher in Beersheba, the art teaching center in Bat Yam, and the Ship Museum in Commemoration of the Israeli Repatriates in Haifa.

Because of the differing facilities, the "Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance" exhibition in each city has been unique. Yet, in each city practitioners were able to explain the topic and content of the exhibition to the visitors.

During each exhibition, practitioners distributed materials about Falun Gong and the persecution of Falun Gong by the CCP and also demonstrated the five sets of exercises. From March 27 to April 16, 2006, another exhibition is being held in Tel Aviv in the Commercial Center. This venue has a huge flow of people, creating an environment to tell the facts to a large number of people.

Taiwan: Candlelight Vigil to Commemorate Fellow Practitioners Tortured to Death and Call for an End of CCP's Persecution

April 5 is the annual Qingming Day, a Chinese Memorial day. On the evening of April 4, 2006, practitioners in Hualien, Taiwan held a solemn commemoration event. They commemorated those Falun Gong practitioners who were tortured to death in China and exposed the atrocities of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in Sujiatun Concentration Camp.

Commemorating Falun Gong practitioners tortured to death in China | People sign to support Falun Gong and oppose the persecution

The commemoration was held in the old railway business area. Many passers-by came forward to watch and inquire. Some people sat down to watch the films "NTDTV Special on Sujiatun", and "Nine Commentaries No. 5". Many people signed at the signature collection table.

Legislative Committee member Lu Boji said, "The CCP persecutes Falun Gong with inhuman means. The whole world should condemn such atrocities. As a member of the Legislative Committee, I will speak out in legislative sessions if there is any opportunity to do so. I hope that all countries will condemn the CCP's persecution of Falun Gong."

Legislative Committee member Lu Boji gives a speech to condemn the CCP's atrocities (left) and look over truth-clarification posters and literature (right)

Member of Hualien County Council Mr. Li Hsu-ning said, "Everyone is after money in today's society. Individuals, businesses and governments ignore the CCP's persecution of very basic human rights for commercial interests. One day, China and the world must pay attention to the CCP's crimes. I am shocked at the CCP's bloody crimes. It does not treasure life and help people."

Member of the Hualien County Council Mr. Wei Jia-hsian said, "Falun Gong is a good practice system. People in Taiwan have the freedom to choose to practice Falun Gong. Under the CCP regime, there is no freedom of belief. I support every Falun Gong practitioner in Mainland China."

Huilan Cable TV and United Daily dispatched reporters to cover the event. On the following day, April 5, front page news was published in the United Daily with the title "Falun Gong practitioners hold candlelight vigil and call on international society to pay attention to and investigate the Sujiatun Concentration Camp". Local newspaper Keng Sheng Daily also carried news from Central News Agency.

United Daily covers the practitioners' candlelight vigil in its front page | Keng Sheng Daily cover the event

The Epoch Times participated in the candlelight vigil and representative Ms. Chan pointed out that more than 9 million Chinese have renounced the CCP and its affiliated organizations.

Ms. Chang from Sound of Hope Radio gave a speech about the CCP's persecution in China. Some students and local people also delivered speeches at the event and condemned the CCP's brutal atrocities.