(Minghui.org) On July 20, 2021, several U.S. government officials issued statements calling on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to stop persecuting Falun Gong and release all illegally imprisoned Falun Gong practitioners. They also commended Falun Gong practitioners for their peaceful resistance to the persecution and their positive contribution to society by upholding Falun Gong’s principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance.
U.S. Senate Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Calls for Immediate Release of Detained Falun Gong Practitioners
Sen. Robert Menendez, chairman of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said in the statement, “Twenty-two years ago today, the People’s Republic of China undertook a ruthless and brutal crackdown against the followers of the Falun Gong spiritual movement that continues to this day. In the more than two decades since, tens of thousands of Chinese citizens have been persecuted for their religious beliefs, imprisoned, tortured, subjected to forced labor, and credible allegations of organ harvesting.”
He continued, “I join the international community in calling on Beijing to respect the religious beliefs and practices of all its citizens, including its Falun Gong practitioners. No one should have to face prison, torture, or worse simply for how they choose to practice their religion. China should immediately release all Falun Gong practitioners it has detained, and allow them to practice their faith with dignity and respect.”
U.S. State Department Demands the CCP Immediately Stop Persecution of Falun Gong
At a press conference on July 19, U.S. State Department spokesman Ned Price demanded that the Chinese communist regime immediately end its persecution of Falun Gong and release all Falun Gong practitioners imprisoned for their belief.
“Tomorrow, we recognize 22 years since the People’s Republic of China launched a campaign of repression against the Falun Gong movement and its millions of practitioners, advocates, and the human rights defenders working to protect their rights,” he remarked.
“Thousands of Falun Gong practitioners face detention, harassment, and reported torture and abuse each year for simply seeking to peacefully practice their beliefs,” Price said.
The State Department also tweeted the statement on July 20, reiterating its demand.
Former U.S. Secretary of State Pompeo: America Should ‘Lead the World’ in Ending the Persecution of Falun Gong
Mike Pompeo, former Secretary of State, also said during an interview on July 19 that “the absence of religious freedom in China is horrific, it is tragic. It’s gone on for too long and America needs to lead the world to ensure that those people have the opportunity to practice their faith in the way they want to.”
While in office, Pompeo publicly condemned the CCP’s persecution of Falun Gong on July 20, 2020: “We call on the PRC government to immediately end its depraved abuse and mistreatment of Falun Gong practitioners, release those imprisoned due to their beliefs, [. . .] and address the whereabouts of missing practitioners. Twenty-one years of persecution of Falun Gong practitioners is far too long, and it must end.”
Sen. Rubio: CCP Must Release All Jailed Falun Gong Practitioners
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio issued a statement on July 20 demanding that the CCP end its ban on Falun Gong and release all imprisoned Falun Gong practitioners.
Senator Rubio paid tribute to Falun Gong practitioners who were brutally persecuted –some to death–by the CCP. “I honor the lives of the hundreds of thousands, perhaps more than a million, innocent Chinese who have been targeted because of their spiritual beliefs,” he said.
“CCP officials have subjected Falun Gong practitioners to physical and sexual assault, forced labor, and torture to make them renounce their beliefs. Even more disturbing are the credible allegations of forced organ harvesting. Unfortunately, the cruelty continues unabated to this day,” he said.
15 House Representatives Urge the CCP to Stop the Persecution
Fifteen members of the U.S. House of Representatives also expressed their solidarity with Falun Gong and demanded that the CCP stop the persecution.
Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler said the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners by the CCP is the most serious human rights violation. She also cited the CCP’s crime of live organ harvesting, saying that the 2016 House resolution (H.Res.343) condemning the horrific crime was “a step in the right direction” but that “more must be done.”
Congressman Steve Chabot also spoke about live organ harvesting by the CCP. “There are few worse crimes that can be imagined. This unspeakable crime demands justice for the countless victims who have suffered at the hands of the CCP,” he said.
Congressman Gus Bilirakis said he plans to introduce another resolution specifically condemning the CCP’s systematic persecution campaign against Falun Gong. “If we remain silent on this and ignore the moral values, the general public can be in danger,” he said.
Sean Patrick Maloney, a Congressman from New York, sent a Congressional Proclamation to “honor the peaceful practices of Falun Dafa.” He said that Falun Gong’s teachings of Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance “bridge cultures, nationalities, race, gender, and age” and “contribute to a healthier and more harmonious society.”
Congressman Dean Phillips said, “Falun Gong values the principles of truth, compassion, and forbearance. Our world would surely be a more peaceful one if we centered those values in our daily lives.”
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