(Minghui.org) Attorney Li Zhongwei advised the judge and prosecutor during an intermediate court trial of Ms. Zheng Shuyun, a Falun Gong practitioner: China's judicial system should not endorse the Chinese Communist Party's persecution policy.
He argued that believing in Falun Gong and possessing Falun Gong materials are legal, and simply stated, “It is totally normal for a Falun Gong practitioner to promote their values.”
The attorney suggested that the judge approach the case with his conscience, “Laws are established for the harmony and development of society. The final goal of a court of law is to uphold justice. Both the traditional and modern ways of judging cases goes by conscience. Many legal professionals rule against and prosecute innocent Falun Gong practitioners simply because they are still within the grasp of the communist regime. No one is above judicial law, and if you are, you are trapped in a sphere of corruption. The communist authorities’ persecution policies are illegal, and complying with them indicate that personal gain is at stake. You will be held accountable for such actions.”
The judge adjourned the session without a decision.
Ms. Zheng Shuyun, 60, a retired worker, was illegally arrested at her home on July 17, 2014, and charged with “using a cult to sabotage law enforcement.” She was sentenced to three years in prison in December 2014. This trial with the intermediate court on February 10, 2015, was an attempt to appeal.
“The defendant firmly believes religious persecution is a product of a corrupt historical period. This shameful page in history needs to be overturned now,” Mr. Li said.
He pointed out that the root cause of the persecution was “mistakes by a few authorities,” and due to “selfish concerns of a small group of people [Jiang Zemin and other former heads of the Chinese Communist Party].”
“The parties involved in arresting and sentencing my client are abusing power, neglecting duty, illegally detaining, forging false evidence, turning a blind eye to the law for personal gain, violating freedom of belief, and so on. These illegal acts will not be protected by an unethical policy forever.
“We should learn to respect the freedom of belief, a fundamental human right. Amicable settlement is the only wise choice for treating Falun Gong. This is the trend. Going against the trend will further set back the development of our society and cause more political losses to those involved.”
“My client has remained strong while experiencing years of injustice and persecution for persisting in her belief in Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance,” Mr. Li stated. “Amidst this great tribulation, never has she spoken out or caused a public disturbance. Nothing to break the law. She and her family looked for lawyers to represent them. They have trust in China’s judicial system, and hope for humanity,” he continued.
“An increasing number of riots have broken out throughout China in recent years. In contrast, Falun Gong practitioners have suffered unjust persecution, but have peacefully upheld their belief in Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. Due to the mistakes of several politicians, countless people have lost their families, and been forced to leave home, to avoid persecution.
“However, they have still responded to this injustice and brutality with peace, reason, and tolerance. Upholding their faith and belief in the power of compassion, they tranquilly appeal and inform those who are unaware, of the facts about Falun Gong, that Falun Gong practitioners are good people, and that Falun Gong was slandered. This act is magnificent and inspiring.
“They uphold a belief that justice will prevail, even after enduring various unbelievable pains, including jailing, death, disability due to torture, and live organ harvesting. They have never used violence against violence or hatred against hatred, even when they were suffering the loss of loved ones and extreme injustice.
“There has never been an incident where Falun Gong practitioners used violence or illegal means while expressing their grief or trying to restore their reputation while facing injustice. What kind of selfless spirit is this? How benevolent is this?”
Mr. Li further explained, “There is no evidence that she joined a cult; there is no evidence of her 'using a cult'. She does not have the ability to use an evil cult. Only people possessing authority over the nation have the ability to 'sabotage the enforcement of law.'”
Mr. Li mentioned that Jiang Zemin claimed Falun Gong was an “evil cult” during an October 1999 interview with the French newspaper Le Figaro. The lawyer said the comments of one person cannot represent the law. The Higher People's Procuratorate, and the Superior Court’s determination that Falun Gong was a cult was merely an internal notice within the Communist Party. Neither the newspaper interview nor the internal “notice” should carry any power of law. No one is above the law.
The attorney clarified that he is neither a Chinese Communist Party member nor a Falun Gong practitioner. He is merely a legal worker with a sense of responsibility, a citizen with a conscience, with a responsibility to tell the truth, uphold the law, and pursue the rights of citizens.
Parties involved in Ms. Zheng's case:
1. Members in the Intermediate Court of Huludao:
Wang Zhenfeng (王振峰), prosecutor: +86-429-7898059 (Office)Wang Heng (王亨), judge: +86-429-3166419 (Office), +86-18009899679 (Cell)
2. Lianshan District Court
Zhang Cuiping (章翠平), judge: +86-15642963175 (Cell), +86-429-2164505 (Office)Xun Weiwei (荀巍巍): +86-13700197799 (Cell), +86-429-2164505 (Office)Guo Biao (郭彪), director: +86-429-2164111 (Office)Zhu Yongcun (朱永存), assistant director: +86-13998980003 (Cell), +86-429-2164112 (Office)Liu Endong (刘恩栋), assistant director: +86-13052668777 (Cell), +86-429-2164115Chen Tianwen (陈天文), assistant director: +86-13904298878 (Cell), +86-429-2164116 (Office)Kang Guangxin (康广欣), assistant director: +86-13704291357 (Cell), +86-429-2164117 (Office)Liu Hanguo (刘汉国), assistant director: +86-13309895595 (Cell), +86-13019991688 (Cell), +86-429-2164118Chang Hai (常海), assistant director: +86-13130979900 (Cell), +86-429-2164398Du Weiping (杜伟平), head of Procuratorate: +86-13942941269 (Cell), +86-15642963119 (Cell), +86-429-2164119 (Office)Wei Aijun (魏爱君), director of politics department: +86-429-2164155 (Office)Wei Yanni (魏艳妮), director of office: +86-13804290000 (Cell), +86-18642950000 (Cell), +86-429-2164000 (Office)Ji Aihua (季爱华), director of enforcement department: +86-13842950000 (Cell), +86-15642963170 (Cell), +86-429-2164012 (Office)
Criminal Court of Lianshan District Court:
Wang Dan (王丹), president: +86-13898788828 (Cell), +86-429-2164500 (Office)Li Fushan (李福山), vice president: +86-15642963172 (Cell), +86-429-2164525 (Office)Liu Lichun (刘立春), vice president: +86-15642963223 (Cell), +86-429-2164503 (Office)Shen Xu (沈旭), vice president: +86-15642963268 (Cell), +86-429-2164501 (Office)Gao Jingwei (高经纬), vice president: +86-429-2164502 (Office)Liu Xiaotang (刘晓棠), vice president: +86-429-2164502 (Office)