LONDON, June 10, 2002 (European Falun Dafa Information Centre) - Three days ago, The Associated Press reported that Iceland's Ministry of Justice - in anticipation of Chinese President Jiang Zemin's arrival on June 12 - has barred all Falun Gong practitioners from entering Iceland. While we deplore this decision by the Ministry, we find the illicit pressure and bully tactics used by the Chinese Communist dictator to influence the nations he visits truly reprehensible.
Over the past three years, Falun Gong practitioners around the world have exemplified the spirit of compassion and nonviolence, always making their appeals in a completely peaceful manner - even in China where tens of thousands of innocent citizens face imprisonment, torture and death for exercising their Constitutional right to freedom of conscience.
In February of this year, Falun Gong practitioners held peaceful demonstrations outside the World Economic Forum in New York City. At the conclusion of the 3-day demonstration, a senior police officer told the Falun Gong organizers that he admired their discipline, courtesy, good behavior, and peaceful nature. Earlier in the week when he was asked about Falun Gong during a high-level security briefing for the Economic Forum, he stated, "You will have no trouble from them at all. They are a real pleasure to work with."
Icelandic officials have also confirmed that reports from officials throughout the world show that Falun Gong activities have been consistently peaceful.
Why Bar Peaceful People?
While we deplore the decision by the Ministry of Justice, the greater shame lies in the fact that the Chinese leader would so blatantly strong-arm a Western nation to compromise its democratic principles by threatening to cancel his trip.
Yesterday The Morgunblad in Iceland reported, "The Morgunblad has reliable sources that Chinese authorities have demanded from the Icelanders that Falun Gong members not be allowed in the country during the visit. They have even demanded that no protesters be seen from the Saga Hotel where Jiang Zemin will stay." The day before, Iceland's The Visir reported, "The Ministry of Justice got lists from the Chinese Embassy on individuals who are possibly linked to the Falun Gong."
It is clearly a sign of Jiang Zemin's paranoia that he would sacrifice the diplomatic dignity of his country just to spare himself the sight of a group of people peacefully demonstrating. Last month in Germany, Jiang even went so far as to demand the German Government ban everyone from wearing yellow wherever he visited - a color often used by Falun Gong practitioners during their public appeals. Perhaps, this color reminds Jiang of the tens of thousands of innocent men, women, and children that have been imprisoned, tortured or killed in China as well as the millions of grieving families that have been torn apart by his persecution campaign.
Voices of Support from Iceland
The people of Iceland live in a democracy that values freedom. This past week, Falun Gong websites have received numerous e-mails from individuals and organizations in Iceland, denouncing this decision. "This mass murderer's [Jiang Zemin] visit will not go un-protested...there will be peaceful protests," writes one resident of Reykjavik, Iceland. "The ban of all Falun Gong members in Iceland during this visit is a terrible crime to free speech, and endangers our freedom of choice."
Reports and editorials in the media have also given voice to the Icelandic people's desire to see a different course of action taken by their Ministry.
We are inspired by these voices of support and hope that no other nation will have to bear such absurd pressure from Jiang Zemin.
We trust that the Ministry of Justice will reconsider its decision. We feel this is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate to the world that the principles of freedom held dear by Western democracies cannot be bent, twisted or compromised by the Chinese Communist dictator.
Background
Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a practice of meditation and exercises with teachings based on the universal principle of "Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance." It is a practice that was taught in private for thousands of years before being made public in 1992 by Mr. Li Hongzhi. Falun Gong has roots in traditional Chinese culture, but it is distinct and separate from other practices such as the religions of Buddhism and Taoism. Since its introduction in 1992, it quickly spread by word of mouth throughout China, and is now practiced in over 50 countries.
With government estimates of as many as 100 million practicing Falun Gong, China's President Jiang Zemin outlawed the peaceful practice in July 1999, fearful of anything touching the hearts and minds of more citizens than the Communist Party. Unable to crush the spirit of millions who had experienced improved health and positive life changes from Falun Gong, Jiang's regime has intensified its propaganda campaign to turn public opinion against the practice while quietly imprisoning, torturing and even murdering those who practice it.
The Falun Dafa Information Centre has verified details of over 422 deaths since the persecution of Falun Gong in China began in 1999. Government officials inside China, however, report that the actual death toll is well over 1,600. Over 100,000 have been detained, with more than 20,000 being sentenced to forced labor camps without trial.