At noon of December 23, 2004, Falun Gong practitioners from Northern California Lawyer On June 11, 2003, the Ms. Colliver said that this was an important Colliver Colliver also mentioned Chairman Falun Liu Qi received the subpoena in San Francisco Falun Gong Spokesman Adam Leining said that the verdict The Falun Gong practitioners said that they held the press conference
and Executive Director of the San Francisco-based Center for Justice & Accountability
Ms. Sandra Colliver held a press conference in front of the Federal Court San
Francisco. They announced that former Mayor of Beijing and current Communist Party
Secretary of Beijing Liu Qi was found guilty by the court for his role in the
persecution of Falun Gong. Human rights lawyers stated that this verdict has important
significance in protecting human rights and deterring crimes against humanity.
and Executive Director of San Francisco-based Center for Justice & Accountability
Ms. Sandra Colliver speaks at the press conference
local federal court found Liu Qi guilty and denied diplomatic immunity. The verdict
was sent to a higher-level court. On December 8, 2004, Judge Wilkin of the United
States District Court, Northern District of California affirmed a magistrate's
ruling that Beijing Communist Party Secretary Liu Qi is liable for the crimes
of torture and crimes against humanity carried out by police under his administration
in the persecution of Falun Gong.
case after the United States Superior Court reaffirmed that the Alien Tort Claims
Act in 2002. She said that the ruling could be a precedent used by future cases.
said that the court first determined that the torture and sexual assault committed
against Falun Gong practitioners by Beijing policemen violated international human
rights treaties. The executer of the persecution policy Liu Qi should be held
responsible. He knew that his subordinates tortured Falun Gong practitioners,
but he didn't stop or punish the torturers.
that the State Department sent two letters to the judge, asking for the case to
be dismissed, saying that the verdict would interfere with foreign policy. The
Judge declined the request and stated that the criminal evidence was clear and
sufficient. It will not interfere with U.S. foreign policy because the court is
defending the principles of the United States in protecting human rights.
of the Center for Justice & Accountability Joshua Sondheimer wrote a letter to
the press conference. In the letter, Mr. Sondheimer stated that Liu Qi, as the
Mayor of Beijing, clearly knew that his policemen were torturing Falun Gong practitioners,
so he must be held responsible for it. He also said that people should not keep
silent in face of the persecution of Falun Gong. To protect human rights and stop
crimes against humanity, people must speak up to stop the persecution.
Gong practitioner Matt reads the letter from Mr. Sondheimer
while on his way to Salt Lake City to attend the Winter Olympics as the director
of the Chinese Olympic team in 2002. He was charged with the crimes of torture,
cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, arbitrary detention, crimes against humanity,
and interference with freedom of religion and belief. The six plaintiffs were
two citizens of China, two Swiss citizens, one French and one American who were
beaten in Beijing.
pointed out that China's government was perpetrating crimes against humanity
but denying the human rights violations. Their actions were violating China's
own laws.
to publicize the information and send out an important message to those who persecuted
Falun Gong: They will be brought to justice and held accountable for their crimes.
Posting
date: 27/Dec/2004
Original article date: 26/Dec/2004
Category: World
News
