(Clearwisdom.net, August 19, 2003) LONDON (FGIC) Jiang Zemin must be held accountable for genocide against Falun Gong practitioners and brought to justice for his crimes against humanity, committed over four years of the most despicable persecution in history. Jiang gave orders to "Destroy their reputations, bankrupt them financially and annihilate them physically," instigating and directing the persecution of 100 million people in China, resulting in over 700 documented deaths, tens of thousands being tortured mercilessly in labour camps and detention centres, tens of thousands being sentenced without trial, and millions of families torn apart. The persecution is not only horrendous in nature but also targets a group of completely innocent people; Falun Gong is simply a practice of exercises and meditation which has brought health and well-being to millions world-wide, and encourages those who practice it to become good people, to follow the basic guiding principles of Truthfulness, Compassion Forbearance. This is a historical tragedy that should never have happened. But is has happened, and Jiang must be held responsible for his crimes.

Peter Jauhal, Chairman of the Falun Gong Association (UK), said: "The crimes which Jiang Zemin has committed against Falun Gong practitioners are beyond imagination in sheer scale and brutality. It is a matter of human conscience to bring him to justice in a court of law and to expose his guilt to the world."

Practitioners of Falun Gong in the UK are determined to use any legal means possible to seek reparation and justice for the crimes Jiang has committed against Falun Gong practitioners. It is encouraging that the UK takes its position of responsibility seriously in the arena of international law and in bringing those who commit crimes against humanity to justice. Recently, as he announced the UK's signature of the Optional Protocol to the UN Convention Against Torture, the UK Foreign Secretary emphasised the duty of judges and prosecutors around the world "to prevent and investigate acts of torture to ensure that those who perpetrate such acts are brought to justice and that their victims receive redress." In addition, partly as a result of precedents set in the UK in the Pinochet case, Jiang cannot avoid responsibility for crimes committed in office. Earlier this year, Mr. Philip Grant, Swiss attorney and President of TRIAL (Track Impunity Always), announced an international coalition, together with Falun Gong Associations around the world, to bring lawsuits against Jiang Zemin. During his announcement, he stated: "Like the British House of Lords spelled out in the famous Pinochet ruling, one's official capacity does not protect him against prosecution for crimes of torture committed while in office."

In recent years it has become apparent that International Law is not a static entity, but a changing and evolving one, changing with the requirements and expectations of the rapidly evolving international community and its growing sense of responsibility. What is not possible this year may be possible in five years. What is not possible now may be possible next year. It is certain that Jiang Zemin cannot escape responsibility for his crimes, and that sooner or later will be brought to trial by the people of the world. Practitioners in the UK will take every step necessary to ensure that this becomes a reality as soon as possible, leaving no stone unturned in our efforts to seek legal means to bring Jiang to justice in the UK for his crimes. But, whatever the legal process, whatever the outcome, however remote the possibility, most importantly, we will use this opportunity to contribute to the global process of exposing his the evilness of his crimes, of exposing his guilt to the world, and ultimately bringing him to justice.

Mr Jauhal added, "We hope that bringing Jiang to justice in a court of law will also become a process in which people can see more and more the reality of the horrific persecution which has torn apart the lives of 100 million people."

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT THE UK FALUN GONG INFORMATION CENTRE: Peter Jauhal 07717 508 268.

Source: http://clearharmony.net/articles/200308/14521.html