President Jacques Chirac
55, rue du Faubourg-Saint-Honoré
F – 75008 Paris
France
Dear Mr President
On behalf of the Falun Dafa Association of Queensland Inc, I am writing to
express our deep concern regarding the arrests of Falun Gong practitioners in
Paris. According to reports we have received, the practitioners did not commit
any crimes or cause any disturbance, yet they were arrested by the French police
because their clothing identified them as Falun Gong practitioners.
One of the practitioners who was arrested (a British citizen) stated that she
was detained (with six other practitioners) at the Centre De Police Du 17eme
for over 5 hours and then freed with no explanation. She was refused permission
to contact the British Embassy in Paris. Another practitioner was told by the
French police that they were arrested because they had been wearing yellow Falun
Gong scarves.
It appears that these peaceful citizens were arrested simply because they believe
in a spiritual practice that Jiang Zemin (the former leader in China) has decided
to totally eradicate a practice which is based on the principles of Truth, Compassion
and Tolerance.
Lawsuits have been filed in over 18 countries (including France and Australia)
against Jiang Zemin and other officials directly responsible for the persecution
of Falun Gong. Jiang Zemin has used every segment of the Chinese government,
legal system and Chinese society to spread false accusations and fabricate lies
against Falun Gong, to generate hatred against this peaceful group. It appears
that his lies have now had some effect in France. We find it very sad that a
democratic country like France, one of the oldest democracies in the world and
a country that generally respects human rights, would agree to the demands of
a government that is infamous throughout the world for its human rights abuses
against its own people and visitors to its country.
We believe that when the French police, government and people learn about the
true nature of Jiang’s persecution, and the horrific torture and genocide
that is currently happening in China, they would not assist in this persecution
by discriminating so blatantly against Falun Gong practitioners. To side with
China on this issue is to support the persecution and is very shameful for any
country.
When Hu Jintao visited Australia in October 2003, Falun Gong practitioners
welcomed him, and at the same time appealed for Jiang Zemin to be brought to
justice for his crimes against Falun Gong. All of the activities were very peaceful
and the Australian Federal Police commended Falun Gong practitioners for their
exemplary behaviour during President Hu’s visit.
We Falun Gong practitioners are well known in Australia (and around the world)
for our peaceful appeals. In Australia, we often take part in parades, fairs
and multicultural events. We are welcomed in the community and have given many
performances of traditional dancing and singing, as well as exercises. Falun
Gong is non-political and non-religious with all activities free of charge.
We respectfully request that a thorough investigation be conducted into the
recent arrest of Falun Gong practitioners in France, and the interference from
the Chinese Embassy which resulted in the exclusion of Falun Gong practitioners
from the New Year Celebrations on the Champs Elysees. We will also contact the
French Embassy in Australia regarding our concerns.
Yours sincerely
Falun Dafa Association of Queensland, Inc
Friday 30th January 2004
