(Minghui.org) Falun Gong practitioners overseas have recently held discussions on suing Jiang Zemin, the chief culprit in the persecution of Falun Gong. This isn't a complicated issue, especially for practitioners in China. It isn't necessary to spend a lot of time discussing its historical significance, and the indictment doesn't have to broad and all-inclusive. There are countless crimes to sue Jiang for, and each one of them presents a well-grounded case.
First, let's take a look at a historical example. During the Nuremberg Trials, the highest ranking Nazi officers claimed that they simply gave orders, but didn't actually kill anyone. The intermediate levels in the chain of command claimed that they had simply followed orders. The lowest levels argued that they only carried out orders from their higher-ups. The judge said there were only two options. They were either all innocent or all guilty; he settled on the latter.
The reason was very simple. The Nazis had formed a chain of command to carry out their crimes. Every link in the chain was part of the crime. They worked together to murder people, so no link could be held innocent.
The persecution of Falun Gong was officially launched by Jiang Zemin in July 1999. Jiang is the chief perpetrator, and the head of the chain of command in the crimes committed against Falun Gong. The other persecutors carried out Jiang's policy, causing death and damage to Falun Gong practitioners. Practitioners, their families, friends, and even their neighbors have all been affected by the brutal persecution and all have reason to sue Jiang.
All practitioners who have been detained, thrown into labor camps and prisons, and tortured can certainly sue Jiang. Family members of practitioners who have died as a result of the persecution can certainly sue Jiang. The indictment doesn't have to be complicated. Presenting the facts and evidence is easy. Attorneys and judges will take care of the rest of the legal process. The plaintiff doesn't need to be a legal expert.
In addition, it isn't necessary to file joint lawsuits. Each individual can charge Jiang based on the persecution that he or she has personally experienced. Individual lawsuits may actually be more successful, based on Chinese law.
Genocide and crimes against humanity aren't addressed in Chinese law. However, crimes of torture, infringement upon freedom of religion and speech, libel, and psychological and financial damages can all serve as reasons to bring Jiang to justice.
The above is my opinion, for fellow practitioners' reference.
