WASHINGTON, June 11 /U.S. Newswire/ — Friends of Falun Gong USA Executive
Director Alan Adler today issued the following statement regarding the U.S.
House of Representatives Committee on International Relations filing of an amicus
brief that affirms Falun Gong practitioners’ right to bring legal action against
former Chinese Communist Party Chairman Jiang Zemin under the Alien Tort Claim
Act and Torture Victims Protection Act:
Friends of Falun Gong USA commends the U.S. House of Representatives Committee
on International Relations for supporting a class action lawsuit brought by
Falun Gong practitioners who seek to hold Jiang Zemin accountable for genocide,
torture, and acts against humanity. In filing an amicus brief in the case, the
Committee affirms the sanctity of the inalienable rights enshrined in our Constitution.
The brief notes that “human rights concerns, such as those raised by this case,
have long been considered a key aspect of U.S. foreign policy” and endorses
the use of the Alien Tort Claim Act and Torture Victim Protection Act to protect
Falun Gong practitioners’ ability to freely practice their faith.
Falun Gong practitioners in China and abroad are individuals who follow a spiritual
belief system that Jiang Zemin has vowed to “eradicate.” Within China, they
are systematically denied the opportunity to practice their beliefs without
fear of severe reprisal, including various forms of intimidation and torture.
In filing the lawsuit in October 2002, they sought the protection of the U.S.
legal system and an end to the persecution under which they suffer.
The International Relations Committee recognizes Falun Gong followers’ quest
to live by moral principles such as honesty, kindness, and tolerance for others
and through its brief, extends the protection of Congressional legislation toward
that end. Friends of Falun Gong applauds this stance. Our fervent hope is that
the case will be allowed to move forward and that justice will ultimately prevail.”
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Friends of Falun Gong USA (http://www.fofg.org)
is a human rights organization established to support Falun Gong practitioners’
freedom of belief. It is sponsoring the lawsuit that charges Jiang with torture
and genocide in China and for conspiracy to deprive them of their civil rights
here in the United States.
http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=127-06112003
Posting date: 13/June/2003
Original article date: 11/June/2003
Category: Media Reports
