U.S. Congress Unanimously Passes Resolution Calling on Jiang Zemin Regime to Cease Persecution of Falun Gong

WASHINGTON DC, July 25, 2002 (Falun Dafa Information Center) – With a sweeping vote of 420-0, last night the House passed Concurrent Resolution 188, a comprehensive resolution that addresses the scope and breadth of the persecution in China as well as the illicit activities carried out by agents of the Chinese regime in the United States as they attempt to persecute Falun Gong in America. The resolution also reiterates the peaceful nature of Falun Gong.

Initiated by Florida Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, the chair of the International Operations and Human Rights Committee, the resolution was co-sponsored by more than 100 members of Congress.

During debate on the House floor, Ms. Ros-Lehtinen described the extent of the persecution in China: “In the past 3 years there has been a systematic escalation of horrific attacks launched by Chinese authorities against Falun Gong practitioners. The deplorable action by the Chinese authorities has included the brutal torture of followers, particularly women, who have been arrested, gang-raped and brutally beaten.”

Ms. Ros-Lehtinen continued, “In one instance, a 19-year-old woman who was arrested in Tiananmen Square died 13 days later while still in police custody. Her face and lips were severely swollen, both ears were plugged with blood-soaked cotton, and her nose had collapsed as a result of repeated beatings.”

The position of Congress expressed by this resolution echo a statement made by President Bush in a letter to Ben Gilman (R-NY) in March of this year, which stated “We have repeatedly stressed to the Chinese government that there is no justification for its brutal repression of Falun Gong.”

The resolution, however, extends beyond the persecution of Falun Gong in China. For the past three years, allegations against Chinese officials for engaging in illicit activities in the U.S. have caught the attention of many U.S. officials. Ms. Ros-Lehtinen also addressed this issue during the House debate: “The PRC’s persecution of the Falun Gong in China constitutes the most deplorable and inhumane behavior. Disturbingly, these practices are now being employed in the United States against the Falun Gong. Falun Gong practitioners here in the United States are the victims of death threats, of car bombs, of vandalism against their homes, of cyber attacks and harassment.”

Ms. Ros-Lehtinen continued, “Given the increased evidence linking Chinese officials to this wave of persecution, Mr. Speaker, it is imperative that we in the United States act swiftly and decisively to address this serious matter. We must send a clear message to the PRC that such behavior will not be tolerated in this country and that violators will be held accountable for their actions.”

On April 3, 2002, nearly 50 American citizens and U.S. residents announced the filing of a landmark civil lawsuit against two government ministries of the People’s Republic of China. The Lawsuit alleges a systematic, and often violent, campaign of criminal activities in the U.S. designed to deprive American citizens and residents of their constitutional rights and privileges.

Concurrent Resolution 188 calls for action on three fronts:

1. The Government of the People’s Republic of China should cease its persecution of Falun Gong practitioners

2. The United States Government should use every appropriate public and private forum to urge the Government of the People’s Republic of China – (A) to release from detention all Falun Gong practitioners and put an end to the practices of torture and other cruel, inhumane, and degrading treatment against them and other prisoners of conscience; and (B) to abide by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by allowing Falun Gong practitioners to pursue their personal beliefs

3. The US Government should investigate illegal activities by the Government of the People’s Republic of China and its diplomats, concerning harassment of US citizens and residents who practice Falun Gong and of US officials who support Falun Gong; and take legal action or resort to deportation for those Chinese officials who have been found engaging in unlawful activities on US soil.