(Clearwisdom.net June 8, 2003) "Understanding China's Human Rights
Violations from the Persecution of Falun Gong" Forum Held in Tokyo-to's Art
Theatre. The response was enthusiastic.
Forum attendees receive information on the
persecution of Falun Gong in China Many people attend the forum. All seats
were taken so some attendees had to stand
The forum was hosted by Amnesty International Japan's representative. The speakers included International Reporters' Congress President Nagakaku Kenryu, a Non-Partisan Alliance of Twenty-One Japanese Members of Parliament and MP Mr. Makino Seishu; Chairman of Yoko Kaneko Rescue Committee, AI Japan's China Division Shiroi Sensho; Yoko Kaneko's husband, Atsushi Kaneko. Two Falun Gong practitioners who had suffered persecution were also invited to give speeches.
MP Makino Seishu thanks Falun Gong practitioners' untiring efforts
MP Makino Seishu first gave a speech. He was the first MP to openly step out
to express concern about the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners. He said
that when Falun Gong practitioners first appealed to the Japanese parliament for
rescuing Yoko Kaneko, many MPs could not understand. However, no matter if it
were rain or shine, hot or cold, Falun Gong practitioners were always there,
appealing to everyone to rescue Yoko while clarifying the truth about Falun
Gong. Through their untiring efforts, now many MPs have changed their attitudes
towards Falun Gong. MPs have gained deeper understandings of the essence of
Falun Gong and the meaning of rescuing Yoko. "When they see me, they often say,
'They work so hard.' So now my work in parliament is much easier. It is all
because of Falun Gong practitioners' untiring efforts. They look so ordinary,
but because they persist their actions make a difference. I hope Falun Gong
practitioners can work even harder. I promise here today: To rescue Yoko, to
save Falun Gong practitioners from continued persecution, I will try harder to
work with you and continue to appeal to the Chinese government."
Following Mr. Seishu's speech, Yoko Kaneko's husband, Mr. Atsushi Kaneko introduced Yoko's situation. He appreciated having this precious opportunity to talk about Yoko's case and expressed deep appreciation for the support and encouragement from all walks of life.
International Reporters' Congress President Nagakaku Kenryu Recalls Interview
with Falun Gong Founder
Mr. Nagakaku Kenryu gave a speech on "China's Intelligence System and the Truth about Falun Gong." Using a large amount of facts, he highly praised Falun Gong practitioners' peacefulness and rationality amidst the brutal persecution over the past 4 years. He said over the past 4 years he had been watching Falun Gong. During this period, there were many bloody wars around the world. The cold war continued. Hundreds of thousands of people died; however Falun Gong has never resorted to violence, not even once. Up to today Falun Gong is still being persecuted but no one is picking up weapons to fight with the unjust government. Certainly, Falun Gong's sacred book (Zhuan Falun) has stated this very clearly. I believe more and more in Falun Gong now."
Then he continued to say that the best book that illustrates the situation of brutal persecution is "Falun Gong Report 2003." When he briefly browsed over the content his whole body was shaken. Then he used the "Falun Gong Report 2003" as an example to describe the torture and torture instruments the Jiang regime uses against Falun Gong practitioners and deeply exposed its inhuman, extremely cruel persecution. In summary, he said it was unbelievable that such things could happen in today's China.
In the last part of his speech, he said that as a reporter, it was a shame he could not go to gather evidence in China. However, if he even stepped out to say some fair words for Falun Gong, from that very moment he at the very least would not get a visa to China. If he merged with a tourist group to Shanghai and took a sidetrack to visit the countryside, he might disappear for no reason. "So, we all do these things with great danger; however as human beings we have to help these righteous people."
"Of the 125 million people in Japan, people here only want to know the truth. Knowing the truth, we come together. However we are like seeds: from now 10, 20, 30 years later-- history starts with the first step we take. Let us gather information and make good judgments. It is so precious to participate in such activities."
AI Japan China Division's Shiroi Sensho Expresses AI's Concerns and Support
for Falun Gong
AI Japan China Division's Shiroi Sensho reported on China's human rights violations and summarized the information about the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners. Using a large number of cases, he illustrated the extent and depth of the persecution. He expressed AI's concerns over the persecution and support for Falun Gong.
Falun Gong practitioners talk about the persecution their families in China
have suffered
Falun Gong practitioner Wu Lili talked about the persecution she and her sister suffered. She said the last time she saw her sister was in a Chinese detention center. The detention center was cold and damp in January. She said: "Because I did not have a quilt, I had to share one with my sister. It was so cold that I could not get any sleep so my sister warmed my feet in her bosom. After being detained for one month, I was rescued back to Japan by my husband and fellow practitioners. However my sister has spent the last four years mostly in jails and detention centers. Twice she was detained in a mental institution and was forced to take psychiatric drugs and electric shock treatments. Her suffering was indescribable. After she was drugged she had lethargic sleep, unconsciousness, restlessness, fainting, severe vomiting, menstrual problems, memory loss, blurred vision, and hearing impairment. Her body was extremely weak; sometimes she fainted three or four times a day. However, sustained by the power of truth, compassion and tolerance, she continued to clarify the truth to the doctors in the mental insitute. In the end the doctors changed and said she was not a mental patient. They told her to have her family come and get her, because they did not want to participate in this persecution."
Wu Lili continued to say, "Even though my father was a lawyer and defended many people, he was not allowed to defend his daughter. In China lawyers are not allowed to defend Falun Gong practitioners. When my sister was detained in a mental institute, my father was deeply depressed and left this world. My mom wanted my sister to attend his funeral but the Anhui '610 Office' wouldn't allow it. My mom told me in tears over the telephone that she was so worried that she may have to bury both young and old ..."
While Wu Lili was talking, many attendees were in tears.
Falun Gong practitioner Xiao Xinli described the persecution she suffered in China as well as her forced deportation by the Hong Kong government. She also briefly introduced several cases of practitioners in Japan other than Yoko who had been detained in China. She strongly appealled to people from all walks of life to be concerned about the situation of Japanese practitioners and their families in China.
"Falun Gong Refugee Applicant - Attorney Protection Group" Attorney Tadanori
Onitsuka: I hope everyone cooperates to put an end to this persecution
Mr. Tadanori Onitsuka said he would like to work with everyone in different ways. "Let us unite while everyone tries his best to stop this persecution."
"Falun Gong Refugee Applicant Support Group" President and Tokyo Industry University professor Mr. Hiroshige: "I feel China put all the money for social security into persecuting Falun Gong."
The last speaker was Mr. Hiroshige. He expressed appreciation to those attending the forum. He said everyone's testimony made him realize the seriousness of the persecution.
In concluding remarks Mr. Kitai Daisuke said that he hoped everyone would tell what they heard to everyone surrounding them.
All the seats in the art theatre were taken, and many people had to stand during the forum.
A female attorney said later that this meeting was wonderful. "All the speeches were very good, especially the victims' stories. Everyone was moved. I hope more people know their sufferings." A reporter borrowed Zhuan Falun. A reporter suggested sending a videotape of the forum to all the media. He said this forum was so fulfilling. It let him know Falun Gong's real story, and all his misunderstandings were dissolved. He would try his best to interview other Falun Gong practitioners who suffered persecution.
Even though it rained on the day of the forum, many news agencies, including Sankei Asahi Shimbun, Yomiuri Shimbun, Mainichi Daily News, Chunchi and TV stations came to report the event and conduct interviews. People from different circles attended the forum.
Category: April 25 Events
