Charges Cite Efforts
to Seize Power and Amass Wealth Through Brutal Persecution of Falun Gong
to Seize Power and Amass Wealth Through Brutal Persecution of Falun Gong
New Court Filings Charge Former Chinese Leader Jiang Zemin with Extensive Corruption
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CHICAGO
(FDI) – On Monday, plaintiffs in Falun Gong v. Jiang Zemin (and the “6-10
Office”) filed legal papers charging Jiang Zemin with crimes of extensive
corruption and urged the Court to hold him responsible for committing genocide
against Falun Gong for his own private benefit – to consolidate his power
base, enhance his stature, and increase his personal wealth.
The
Memorandum of Law submitted in support of these new charges states that the
entire campaign against Falun Gong was personally initiated by Jiang, and
forced upon the government of China, the Communist Party, and the people through
the “6-10 Office” that was created for that purpose.
“Acting
against the decision of other members of the Chinese Communist Party Politburo,”
says Attorney Dr. Terri Marsh, who filed the lawsuit against Defendant Jiang,
“in June of 1999, Jiang personally sent an internal notice to all Party members
ordering them to collaborate in the persecution of Falun Gong.” Dr. Marsh
adds, “Since that time, Jiang has been the driving force behind the persecution,
even personally visiting provinces that initially were not active in carrying
out his orders to ensure that the entire nation toed the line.”
Dr.
Marsh concludes, “Indeed the entire campaign of persecution has taken place
outside of the normal and legally established governmental procedures. This
is Jiang’s personal campaign.”
Like
the Cultural Revolution, the new court filing argues, the persecution of Falun
Gong in China was created by one individual to the detriment and harm of the
entire country. The filing goes on to say that as a violator of his nation’s
laws, and international norms, Jiang acts not on behalf of the state, but
rather as an enemy of the state and the people of China. Citing the landmark
US lawsuit that set the stage for trying foreign officials for gross human
rights violations (Filartiga v Pena-Irala), Dr. Marsh quotes, “the torturer
has become – hostis humani generi, an enemy of all mankind.”
The
legal filing further notes that an earlier decision to grant immunity to Jiang
is no different than granting immunity to Hitler, Milosevic, and Stalin for
their crimes against humanity. As was the case with Hitler, Milosevic, and
Stalin, Jiang’s acts of torture and genocide are not subject to immunity because
they constitute crimes of the highest order – crimes against humanity – and
violate not only international law, but also are in direct violation of the
domestic law and Constitution of China. (press
statement)
Contact
information:
U.S.
Human Rights Attorney Dr. Terri Marsh: +1-202-369-4977
Falun Gong Spokesperson Dana Cheng +1-312-933-8138
