Taiwan: Peaceful Resistance Rally Held in Taichung (Photos)

(Clearwisdom.net) On July 16, Falun Gong practitioners from Taichung, Taiwan, held a rally and a candlelight vigil at Wenhsin Forest Park, peacefully resisting the 12-year-long persecution of Falun Gong in China. People from all walks of life in Taichung—including medical fields, the law, academia, education, and business—came to the rally to express their support for Falun Gong. The attendees held banners to bring more attention to the persecution of Falun Gong.

The press conference at the rally. Attendees included a judge, college professors, and city council members.

Mr. Kao Chiajun, the trustee of the Association of Medicine in Taichung, said that he always accepts Falun Gong practitioners' invitations to all kinds of activities, because they are the best organized and most peaceful.

Mr. Kao

Mr. Kao expressed his concern about the organ harvesting. “Friends of mine in the medical community didn't believe it at first. Later, more and more evidence emerged, which shocked them.” He said that it is intolerable that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) persecutes Falun Gong so brutally.

Mr. Kao emphasized that there is a lot that people can do to stop the persecution. He said that the former Soviet Union seemed to be strong, but it crashed over night, so as long as we persist, the CCP will crash, too, and Falun Gong's reputation will be restored. He also called upon his colleagues in the medical community not to help the CCP to persecute Falun Gong.

Professor Liao Yi'en from Chunghsing University spoke at the rally. He reviewed the history of how Taiwanese people have fought for democracy. He said that their experiences will give confidence to other Chinese people all over the world, including Falun Gong practitioners. He said that one of the purposes of the rally was to let them know that many people in Taiwan support them. He also thanked practitioners for their efforts.

Professor Qiu Taisan

Professor Qiu Taisan from Asia University is the chair of the department of Finance and Law. He was the vice mayor of Kaohsiung City, a prosecutor, and a city council member. He pointed out that the teachings of Falun Gong have been well accepted by society, but practitioners are still being persecuted in China. He said that the CCP has been violating basic human rights. The persecution, especially the organ harvesting, remind people of the Nazi's genocide and is intolerable.

Professor Qiu thanked Falun Gong practitioners for their efforts to fight for human rights. He said that, although the journey is long, justice will prevail if we stand together and persevere.

Mr. Li Tiansheng, a city council member, promoted the resolution that forbids human rights violators from China from visiting Taiwan. At the rally, Mr. Li said that more than half of the council members voted to pass this resolution. He hopes that the CCP would respect human rights and stop the persecution. Mr. Li also said that he refuses to visit China. He will never go there until the human rights situation improves.

Practitioners hold banners that read “Falun Dafa Is Good,” “Stop the Persecution,” etc.

After the press conference, practitioners held many banners along Wenhsin Street. They also handed out truth-clarifying materials. Many local citizens expressed their support, encouraging them to keep up their efforts. Some drivers stopped and asked for Falun Gong materials, and some of them shouted, praising practitioners for their courage and efforts.

The candlelight vigil

After sunset, practitioners held a candlelight vigil in Forest Park, commemorating those who were tortured to death in China and calling upon the public to help stop the persecution.

Posting date: 7/21/2011
Category: Community Events
Chinese version available at
http://minghui.ca/mh/articles/2011/7/18/台中反迫害集会-汇聚更多正义力量（图）-244062.html

Taipei, Taiwan: Candlelight Vigil in the Rain to Commemorate Fellow Practitioners Tortured to Death in China (Photos)

By Liu Wen-hsin
 
(Clearwisdom.net) At 7 p.m. on July 17, 2011, more than 1500 Falun Gong practitioners participated in a candlelight vigil to commemorate fellow practitioners who were tortured to death in China for not giving up their belief in Truth-Compassion-Forbearance.

The candlelight vigil and a press conference were held despite heavy rain. The atmosphere was solemn and touching. Two local TV stations and Liberty Times covered the event.

On July 17, 2011, more than 1500 Falun Gong practitioners participated in a candlelight vigil to commemorate fellow practitioners tortured to death in China.

Practitioners sitting in the front held portraits of fellow practitioners who were tortured to death in China by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). For 12 years, Falun Gong practitioners in China have faced the CCP’s brutal persecution.

Candlelight vigil

Practitioner Liao Hsiao-feng read a commemorative statement: “Falun Dafa practitioners follow Truth-Compassion-Forbearance and have endured 12 years of brutal persecution in China. Facing the persecution, practitioners are still demanding that the perpetrators stop the persecution. Practitioners still advise people to understand the facts about Falun Gong and stop the persecution.”

Theresa Chu, spokesperson for the Taiwan Falun Gong Lawyers' Team

Theresa Chu, spokesperson for the Taiwan Falun Gong Lawyers' Team, said, “Falun Dafa has spread across the world. More and more people know the facts about the persecution. More and more people support Falun Gong. So far, the CCP has shown no signs of ending the persecution. We ask all the CCP officials involved to stop the persecution. Otherwise, history will try them.”

Gao Wei-bang, Director of the Victims' Association of Taiwan Investors in China

Gao Wei-bang, Director of the Victims' Association of Taiwan Investors in China, said out that he was running a business in China in 1999 and saw how the CCP slandered and persecuted Falun Gong. He stressed, “As long as the CCP is in power, the persecution won’t stop. Such a regime will soon collapse.”

Yang Hong-hsian, Director of Taiwan Cares China Human Rights Federation

Yang Hong-hsian, Director of Taiwan Cares China Human Rights Federation, pointed out, “I stand here to tell everyone that the federation cares about all human rights in China. As long as one person does have not freedom, everyone else’s freedom is threatened.”

Wang Chan-hsung, a lawyer on the human rights committee of the Taipei Bar Association

Wang Chan-hsung, a lawyer on the human rights committee of the Taipei Bar Association, represented the director of the association in greeting practitioners. He said, “I sincerely admire Falun Gong practitioners. You conduct this activity even in the rain to show your determination to stop the persecution and seek freedom of belief. Now the exchanges across the strait are very frequent. If the people of Taiwan people do not want to stand up to stop the CCP persecution of Falun Gong, who will speak up for us when the CCP state machine enters Taiwan? The CCP persecutes religious belief. I hope that the CCP regime collapses soon and that the Chinese people can have freedom of belief.”

Professor Wu Hui-lin, Director of the China Human Rights Association

Professor Wu Hui-lin, Director of the China Human Rights Association, called into question China's economic rise. He pointed out that there are severe social and economic problems in China and that protests have mushroomed. Many tourists from the mainland visit Taiwan and learn the facts about the persecution. He hoped that the tourists would bring the facts back to the mainland and tell their friends and relatives, which would accelerate the disintegration of the CCP.

One practitioner said, “As long as the persecution does not stop, we will continue our efforts to stop it.” It is a sentiment shared by all practitioners.

Posting date: 7/21/2011
Category: Community Events
Chinese version available at
http://minghui.ca/mh/articles/2011/7/20/台北烛光夜悼-风雨中迎希望-244134.html

Malaysia: Practitioners Hold a Candlelight Vigil to Call for an End to the Persecution (Photos)

By a practitioner in Malaysia
 
(Clearwisdom.net) It has been 12 years since Falun Gong practitioners started protesting the persecution by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Practitioners in the Selangor Area of Malaysia conducted a group practice and held a candlelight vigil at dusk on July 17, 2011, in Taman Jaya, Petaling Jaya, to commemorate those practitioners who have lost their lives because of the persecution and to call for it to stop.

Practitioners in the Selangor Area in Malaysia do the exercises in Taman Jaya on July 17, 2011

Practitioners in Malaysia hold a candlelight vigil in Taman Jaya

A candlelight vigil in the Selangor Area in Malaysia to commemorate practitioners who have died as a result of the persecution in China

People come to learn the facts about Falun Gong

Local residents learn to do the exercises

The peaceful and solemn scene drew the attention of many. Mr. Fauzi, a Malay resident, learned about the brutal persecution of Falun Gong in China and said that Chinese people should enjoy freedom of belief and Falun Gong practitioners shouldn't have been treated this way. “Such a good practice that can bring people peaceful minds and improved health shouldn't be persecuted,” he said.

An Indian man said that people in Malaysia need such a good practice, because it can guide people to be good and improve their health.

Posting date: 7/21/2011
Category: Community Events
Chinese version available at
http://minghui.ca/mh/articles/2011/7/19/马来西亚学员烛光悼念-吁制止迫害（图）-244126.html

Taiwan: Local Citizens Support the Peaceful Resistance of the Persecution (Photos)

(Clearwisdom.net) On July 17, Falun Gong practitioners from Taitung, Taiwan, held a series of activities to peacefully resist the persecution in China, including group exercises, a candlelight vigil and passing out truth-clarifying materials. The activities attracted many local citizens, as well as Chinese tourists.

Group exercises

Chinese tourists watch a Falun Gong truth-clarifying film

Group exercises along the Chiben River, a famous tourist spot

Candlelight vigil on the banks of the Chiben River

In the morning, practitioners demonstrated the exercises in front of the train station, and played truth-clarifying films. Many Chinese tourists watched them. Some were shocked by the brutality of the persecution, which is being covered up in China. They asked for more detailed information about the persecution, and more materials for their friends and family in China. Many Chinese tourists took photos of the group exercises.

Mr. Lin, a local practitioner, said that many Taiwanese thought that the Chinese Communist Party had changed, but actually the human rights violations, notably the persecution of Falun Gong, are still going on in China.

Ms. Yang, a local citizen, was shocked by the organ harvesting. She said: “We have heard that it is really cheap to have organ transplants in China. We were wondering how they had so many organs available. Now I know the truth. Harvesting organs is inhumane.” Ms. Yang believes that everyone should step up to help stop the persecution. “Being quiet is helping the evil,” she said.

At night, practitioners held a candlelight vigil, commemorating those who have been tortured to death during the persecution.

Posting date: 7/21/2011
Category: Community Events
Chinese version available at  
http://minghui.ca/mh/articles/2011/7/20/台东法轮功学员反迫害-民众声援（图）-244168.html

Japan: A Grand Parade Held in Tokyo, Peacefully Resisting the Persecution of Falun Gong (Photos)

(Clearwisdom.net) On July 17, Falun Gong practitioners from all over Japan held a grand parade in Tokyo, calling for an end to the persecution in China.

The parade

The parade started at 1:00 p.m. and traveled the busiest streets in Tokyo. The Divine Land Marching Band led the group. Following the band, practitioners held photos of those who were tortured to death. There was also a banner team. Several speakers broadcast the truth about Falun Gong and the persecution. Practitioners also handed out truth-clarifying materials.

Although it was 95 degrees, many people were out, since it was a long weekend holiday in Japan. Many watched the parade and read the Falun Gong materials. Many Chinese tourists and students were also happy to accept the materials. Several of them said that they wanted to know more about Falun Gong.

Many Japanese were shocked by the brutality of the persecution. A young lady said that she had been to China and had heard about the persecution. To her, it was unbelievable that Chinese people don't have freedom of belief. She said, “People in Hong Kong have freedoms, but people in China don't. Not only do they not have the freedom of belief, but the government also persecutes them. That shows what a tyrannical government it is.”

Over the last 12 years, Japanese police have helped to keep order and direct the traffic at every large scale Falun Gong activity. One policeman commented that he has seen Falun Gong many times. “I didn't know who they were at the beginning, but later I learned that they are very nice people. I have sympathy for them, and I also support them. I admire their peacefulness, solid belief, and courage.”

The persecution of Falun Gong is still going on in China. Mr. Dai Xianbing, a practitioner living in Japan, told the reporter that his brother, Dai Xianxi, also a practitioner, was arrested in Dongguan, Guangdong Province, on May 26, when he was passing out Falun Gong truth-clarifying materials. He is still jailed in a detention center in Dongguan. His family has called the police station, asking why he was arrested, but they've never been given an answer. They don't even know who is handling his case. On July 12, they were informed that Dai Xianxi was sentenced to one year of forced labor.

Mr. Dai Xianbing holding a photo of his brother, Dai Xianxi

Dai Xianbing joined the grand parade. He said, “I hope that more people will learn about the persecution of Falun Gong in China, which is still going on. I call upon all kind people to help stop it.”

Ms. Ge, a practitioner living in Japan, said that her sister, who also practices Falun Gong, was sentenced to three years for handing out Falun Gong materials. She is still incarcerated in Hebei Province Women's Prison. Her mother, a practitioner, is often harassed by local police. Ms. Ge said, “The persecution has been going on for 12 years. It is very meaningful for us to hold activities on July 20, so that Japanese people, as well as Chinese, will learn about it and help to stop it.”

Posting date: 7/21/2011
Category: Community Events
Chinese version available at
http://minghui.ca/mh/articles/2011/7/19/法轮功学员东京游行-吁制止中共迫害（图）-244121.html

Italy: Falun Dafa Takes Root in Rome (Photo)

By a Falun Dafa practitioner in Rome
 

(Clearwisdom.net) Every summer, residents in Rome hold activities in the garden of Castle Sant' Angelo, located at the west bank of the Tiber River. On July 13, 2011, the government of the 17th District in Rome held a forum “Religions and Non-Religions in Italy” in the garden and invited Falun Gong practitioners to participate. 

 A Falun Gong practitioner speaks at the forum  

Falun Gong practitioner Ms. Zhao explained to the forum participants what Falun Dafa is: “Falun Dafa teaches people to follow the universal principle of Truth-Compassion-Forbearance in their everyday lives. The practice has attracted over 100 million followers worldwide. The practitioners benefit tremendously from the practice, both mentally and physically. However, former Chinese leader Jiang Zemin and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) launched a genocidal persecution of Falun Dafa on July 20, 1999, and intended to eliminate the practice. To date, there are over 3400 verified deaths of practitioners.”

Ms. Zhao learned Falun Dafa from her parents. “In early 1996, my mother was bedridden for months because of complications from diabetes. One day a neighbor suggested that she practice Falun Dafa. My father took her to the nearest practice site on a bike. Three months later, my mother’s ailments disappeared. She was able to cook us three meals a day. Her recovery got the attention of the doctors, her coworkers, and the neighbors. Many of them began to practice Falun Dafa because of my mother,” said Ms. Zhao.

Ms. Zhao talked about her experience as a practitioner after the persecution started. Between January and June 2000, the authorities unlawfully imprisoned her three times because of her belief.

“On February 15, 2000, I was on my way to Beijing to appeal for Falun Dafa. I was arrested because I was reading a Falun Dafa book on the train and detained for 15 days. I was accused of 'disrupting the public order.' A practitioner who was with me at the time was illegally arrested as well. She was six months pregnant and was forced to have an abortion in a hospital. On June 26, 2000, several police officers came to my house and took away my computer and Falun Gong books and videos. They took me and my husband away for 'disrupting the public order.' I was released in two days, but my husband was imprisoned for 45 days. On June 30, six police officers pried open my door and broke into my house. They took me away and locked me up for over seven weeks. I went on a hunger strike to protest the illegal arrest. They force-fed me four days later.”

According to Ms. Zhao, there are still many Falun Gong practitioners in China being brutally tortured and persecuted because they refuse to give up their belief in Falun Dafa.

  Posting date: 7/20/2011
Category: Community Events
Chinese version available at
http://www.minghui.org/mh/articles/2011/7/18/法轮功真相深入罗马社区（图）-244063.html

Thailand: Falun Gong Practitioners Hold Activities Calling for an End to the 12-Year Persecution (Photos)

By a practitioner in Thailand 

(Clearwisdom.net) On July 17, 2011, practitioners in Bangkok, Thailand held activities to call attention to the 12-year persecution of Falun Gong by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). They asked people to support and work together to stop the CCP's atrocities. 

Practitioners in Bangkok, Thailand hold activities calling for an end to the persecution 

A practitioner speaks with passersby about Falun Gong 

Passersby look attentively at the truth-clarifying photo displays 

Practitioners do the exercises together in a Bangkok park 

A passerby learns to practice Falun Gong 

Vigil commemorates practitioners who have died as a result of the persecution in China 

The activities began at 5:00 p.m., as practitioners held banners reading “Only by disintegrating the CCP can the persecution end,” and other messages. They displayed truth clarification placards to raise people's awareness about the CCP brutality, and call for an end to the persecution. Practitioners also demonstrated the five exercises to display Falun Dafa's peacefulness and goodness. 

Many passersby stopped to view the practitioners' truth clarification displays and read the messages on the large banners. Some people took flyers and talked with practitioners to learn what Falun Gong is about, and learn about the persecution. Some people took photos of the practitioners doing the exercises, and showed support for the practitioners' efforts to end the persecution. Some learned to do the exercises while they were there. 

The practitioners held a candlelight vigil at dusk. Carrying wreaths with photos of practitioners killed in the persecution, practitioners commemorated those who have lost their lives for their beliefs. 

Background:

 

Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a traditional Chinese spiritual discipline for mind and body. The practice involves slow, gentle movements and meditation. It is easy to learn, enjoyable to practice, and free of charge. Its guiding principles are based on Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. The practice was first introduced by Master Li Hongzhi in China in 1992 and quickly spread by word of mouth throughout China and then beyond. Its beneficial effects in uplifting an individual's physical health, spiritual well-being, and moral character, not to mention its positive influence in the community and society as a whole, are undeniable. In fact, Falun Gong is practiced by over 100 million people in 110 countries. The main works of Falun Gong are available in over 30 languages. 

On July 20, 1999, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) launched a brutal persecution of Falun Gong. 

According to figures from the Minghui/Clearwisdom website, up to now at least 3413 Falun Gong practitioners are confirmed to have been persecuted to death. Experts estimate that the actual figures are much higher. Hundreds of thousands of Falun Gong practitioners have been tortured in prisons, forced labor camps, and psychiatric hospitals. Moreover, the CCP-controlled military, public security, judiciary, and health care system have collaborated with each other to harvest organs from living Falun Gong practitioners in one of the most horrendous crimes in human history. 

For over twelve years, practitioners have been constantly speaking out about the truth of Falun Gong and exposing the CCP's crimes in a tireless effort to end the persecution.

 

Posting date: 7/20/2011
Category: July 20-Persecution Begins
Chinese version available at
http://www.minghui.org/mh/articles/2011/7/19/七二零反迫害-泰国法轮功学员集会（图）-244122.html

Falun Gong Practitioners Make Their Voices Heard in Washington D.C. (Photos)

(Clearwisdom.net) On July 15, 2011, more than 2500 Falun Gong practitioners from around the world held a grand march in Washington D.C., calling for the end to the persecution in China. Many also wanted to share their experiences of practicing Falung Gong, and benefiting from it. 

Tourists on the bus greet to practitioners. 

Clarifying the truth to tourists 

“I hope that I won't have to come here again for ending the persecution.”

 

Ms. Wang is from Taiwan and living in the U.S.A. She started practicing Falun Gong in 2000, and comes to D.C. for the peaceful resistance rally and parade every year. “Every year, there are many people and politicians supporting us. We need to continue doing our best to let the public know about the persecution,” she said. 

Ms. Wang hopes that the persecution will end as soon as possible 

“The persecution is in China, but practitioners in China are like our brothers and sisters. Who would support them, if we don't support them? So, I come here every year, paying the traveling by myself” Ms. Wang said. 

Ms. Wang was a high school student when she first started practicing Falun Gong. She said, “My mother started first. I saw the big positive changes in her, so I started too.” 

“I have come here every year since 2000. I hope that this is the last time. Washington D.C. is the capital of the U.S.A., so I come here, hoping more people will pay attention to the persecution and help to end it. Every year, I hope that I don't have to come here again for the same reason.” 

“Falun Gong renewed my body”

 

Ms. Wu from Toronto started practicing Falun Gong in 1998. “I come here to show people the beauty of Falun Gong. I want to tell people the truth of Falun Gong, and expose the brutal persecution,” she said. 

Ms. Wu 

Ms. Wu had a variety of diseases before practicing, including diseases of the cardiovascular system, bone joints, and digestive system. She is now a 70-year old lady, and can walk for hours in the parade, without feeling tired. “Falun Gong not only renewed my health, but also taught me the principle of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. I was deeply touched by its teachings when I first heard about it,” she said, “After practicing, my temper improved, and I don't feel jealous of other people.” 

“They are happy, and I am also happy”

 

Mr. Zhang from Taiwan held a large “Falun Gong” banner in the parade. It was difficult to hold it, due to the wind. When asked how he felt, he smiled, “I don't feel tired. When I saw that tourists were happy to take photos of my banner, I was happy too.” 

Mr. Zhang has been practicing Falun Gong for ten years. “I want to tell people how much I have benefited from practicing Falun Gong, physically and spiritually. However it has been persecuted in China, so I come here to show my support to the fellow practitioners in China,” Mr. Zhang said. 

Young practitioners from Minghui School in Toronto 

Young practitioners from the Minghui School in Toronto also joined the parade. Although they are young, most have been practicing for many years. They also wanted to come here to make their voices heard.

Posting date: 7/20/2011
Category: July 20-Persecution Begins
Chinese version available at  
http://www.minghui.org/mh/articles/2011/7/19/到华府表达心声-早日结束中共迫害（图）-244066.html

Overview of Death Cases of Falun Gong Practitioners Due to Persecution (Graphs and Photos)

By a Clearwisdom correspondent from China

(Clearwisdom.net) Falun Gong is an ancient practice based on the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. Since first being made public in China by Mr. Li Hongzhi in May 1992, it quickly spread to more than 100 countries around the world and brought physical and mental health to over 100 million people. The practice has received over 1500 awards and proclamations worldwide. 

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and Jiang's regime began persecuting Falun Gong on July 20, 1999. During the past 12 years of persecution, the CCP has employed many methods of inhuman and brutal torture. Over 3,428 deaths of Falun Gong practitioners have been documented. The actual death toll well exceeds this, as getting such information out of China is extremely difficult and dangerous for those who report such cases. Other organizations (NGOs, Matas and Kilgour, etc.) estimate that the deaths of Falun Gong practitioners number in the tens of thousands. In addition, hundreds of thousands of practitioners have been sent to jails and forced labor camps. Several thousand have been forced into mental hospitals and given injections that destroy the central nervous system, and countless practitioners have been sent to brainwashing centers. Many were forced to become homeless in order to avoid persecution. Countless numbers of practitioners are harassed and monitored, and their families restricted to varying degrees. The CCP pushes the persecution to a fanatical extreme. 

This article provides a few statistics on the 3,428 documented death cases that the Minghui website received from July 1999 to March 2011. The average number of deaths is 24 per month. Behind the numbers, one can see that the persecution against Falun Gong practitioners that is being carried out by the Chinese Communist regime is systematic, brutal, and secretive. 

 

Graph 1: Total number of deaths of Falun Gong practitioners each year from July 1999 to March 2011 (incomplete statistics) 

Death Cases Spread Out All Over the Country

 

These death cases of Falun Gong practitioners are spread out over 31 provinces and autonomous regions in China. The provinces with the highest number of deaths in decreasing order are Heilongjiang, Hebei, Liaoning, Jilin, Shandong, Sichuan, and Hubei. 

 

Graph 2: Distribution of deaths of Falun Gong practitioners by province from July 1999 to March 2011 (incomplete statistics) 

The CCP fabricates rumors and falsifies facts to defame Falun Gong and deceive the world's people. It tries hard to cover up the brutality of the persecution. From central to local government, the persecution is carried out in a systematic way. The 610 Office is an agency specifically created to persecute Falun Gong, with absolute power over each level of administration in the Party and all other political and judiciary systems. 

Jiang Zemin, the previous CCP leader, issued many secret orders, including, "Deaths of Falun Gong practitioners from beatings is nothing and shall be counted as suicide," "The body shall be directly cremated without investigating the person's identity," "Defame their reputations, bankrupt them financially, destroy them physically." The 610 Office enforces these policies. In some of the death cases, the perpetrators who participated in the persecution frequently mentioned the policy of “Death of Falun Gong practitioners from beatings is nothing.” 

Du Jie, head of the Political Security Office of Gongyi City Police Department, instructed police to mercilessly beat Mr. Chang Baoli. Du Jie shouted, "Beating one to death won't matter, since it will be counted as a suicide." Twenty-year-old Mr. Chang was beaten to death on the very first day. (http://www.clearwisdom.net/emh/articles/2004/3/31/46600.html) 

Mr. Lu Xingguo, 45, was a Falun Gong practitioner from Shanghai. On October 15, 2003, he was beaten to death in No. 3 Forced Labor Camp in the Qingpu District, Shanghai. Xiang Jianzhong, head of the ward, said, "I have orders from above (to torture and “transform” Falun Gong practitioners). A 5% mortality rate is normal for the prison, so the death of a practitioner is nothing. We don't care." (http://www.clearwisdom.net/html/articles/2010/11/22/121550.html) 

Women and the Elderly Rank High in Proportion Among the Deaths

 

Of these deaths, 53 percent or 1,841 of the victims were women (Graph 3), and 62 percent or 1,932 of the victims were over 50 years of age (Graph 4). The average age of death is 53. There were even teenagers among the victims. 

 

Graph 3: Deaths of Falun Gong practitioners from July 1999 to March 2011 broken down by sex (incomplete statistics) 

 

Picture 4: Distribution of deaths of Falun Gong practitioners by age from July 1999 to March 2011 (incomplete statistics) 

Ms. Song Yaqin from Yanji City, Jilin Province, was 77 years old. In 2009, Ms. Song visited the Helong City Police Department to request the release of her injured son. The police pushed her down, dragged her down the stairs, and violently beat her. After that and up until her death, Ms. Song suffered from incontinence and her health diminished day by day. She passed away on the morning of July 18, 2010. Ms. Song had been subjected to mistreatment many times. In the summer of 2002, she was arrested while handing out leaflets about Falun Gong in the Wenmiao Market. Officers handcuffed her hands, brutally beat her, and hung her up by her handcuffs, causing the metal to cut deeply into her flesh, leaving permanent scars on her wrists. (http://www.clearwisdom.net/html/articles/2010/8/11/119184.html) 

Re-enactment photo: Hung up by handcuffs

Torture – The Major Cause of Death of Falun Gong Practitioners

 

Among the 3,428 death cases, most of the victims were subjected to brutal physical torture. Some were killed in a short time or even on the same day. Some were detained and tortured several times, and died after long-term suffering. 

The persecution was carried out at police stations, detention centers, labor camps, and prisons. More than 40 torture methods are used to brutalize Falun Gong practitioners. These include: Deprivation of sleep for many days; shocking with multiple high-voltage electric batons at the same time (the body parts shocked include mouth, head, face, chest, breasts, other private parts, and others); various kinds of handcuffs and shackles and being hung up; different kinds of sticks, clubs and whips including rubber clubs, spiked sticks, leather whips, copper wire whips, steel bars, etc.; hammering bamboo sticks and metal nails into the practitioners' fingers so deeply that they touch bone; pinching the practitioners' flesh with pliers; force-feeding pepper water, concentrated salt water, and feces through a large-diameter plastic tube; pouring cold water all over the practitioners during the winter; stripping the practitioners of their clothes and throwing them outside; forcing them to stand under the sun in the heat of summer; burn them with hot iron rods; denial of restroom use; injection of various drugs to attack the nervous system; etc. Among the death cases, more than 20 victims were cremated while they were still breathing. 

Examples: 

1. Mr. Huang Cheng from Jinzhou City, Liaoning Province, was brutally tortured by officials from Panjin Prison and the Taihe Public Security Bureau in Jinzhou. Police tortured him by using ten large medical needles to puncture his fingers between the nails and the flesh. They also wrapped electrical wire around him and used electric batons to shock and torture him for three hours non stop. He ended up in critical condition. On February 24, 2011, he died at the age of 56. (http://www.clearwisdom.net/html/articles/2011/3/26/124052.html) 

Re-enactment photo: Puncturing fingers with large needles

2. Mr. Li Guang was a TV program host employed by the Laizhou City TV Station in Shandong Province. On December 3, 2004, he was tortured to death in Huaibei Prison by guards Xu Haiming, Wang Xiyun, and others. They brutally tortured him, shocking him 40 times with electric batons. Each torture session lasted three to four hours, and up to seven batons were used, causing his neck to swell as thick as his head. Hot water was poured on his arms and over his neck, and he was covered with burns. Aluminum wire was twisted tightly around his penis so that he could not urinate. (http://www.minghui.org/mh/articles/2005/11/25/115213.html) 

3. Mr. Wang Houge was a villager from Xiabao Village, Luqiao Town in Huanghua City, Hebei Province. He was subjected to many types of cruel torture during his three years of detention in Shijiazhuang Forced Labor Camp. He was tortured "tying the ropes" three times in the same day. Long-term torture reduced Mr. Wang to a very weak condition. He was diagnosed with high blood pressure and heart disease and was later diagnosed with tuberculosis. He lost three quarters of his lung capacity and also had other diseases. Mr. Wang died in May 2005 at the age of 39. (http://www.clearwisdom.net/emh/articles/2005/6/26/62282.html) 

Re-enactment photo: Tying the ropes 

The CCP Tries to Cover Up These Murders by Falsifying the Cause of Death as Suicide or Illness

 

The CCP consistently denies any responsibility or provides no explanations about the deaths of Falun Gong practitioners. Actually, in order to avoid responsibility, practitioners are usually released once their conditions become critical, bodies are quickly cremated to destroy evidence, families are threatened, news is concealed, and the murders are covered up by falsely reporting that the deaths were from suicide or illness. All these evildoings damage the reputations of deceased practitioners and have caused families great distress. 

Examples: 

1. Mr. Peng Guangjun, 55, was from Houqiaoxin Village, Qiaoxin Town, the Huairou District, Beijing. He suffered violent beatings, electric shock, and sleep deprivation. He was tortured to death in Tuanhe Forced Labor Camp on January 24, 2004. His dead body, including his face, was covered with black and bleeding bruises. His face had signs of burns from electric shock. Some of his bones had been broken. The labor camp authorities claimed that Mr. Peng died of a heart attack. Mr. Peng's family members requested an autopsy, but the officer in charge threatened them by telling them they would lose their jobs. Mr. Peng's family was forced to compromise under pressure. Mr. Peng's body was cremated afterwards. (http://www.clearwisdom.net/emh/articles/2004/9/24/52762.html) 

2. Mr. Jiang Yiyun, 59, was a farmer from Taiping Town, Jiangyou City, Sichuan Province. Several police officers from Jiangyou State Security Bureau tortured him to death and discarded his body in the woods on May 17, 2005. The police then spread rumors that Mr. Jiang had committed suicide. There were severe injuries on his head and face, and his body was covered with wounds from torture, making it clear that he had been tortured to death. The police would not allow the family to take the body. Instead, they shipped the body to a crematory for cremation that same morning. (http://www.clearwisdom.net/emh/articles/2005/6/9/61669.html) 

Re-enactment photo: Severe beating 

3. Mr. Ding Gangzi, 47, was from Chengguan Township, Zanhuang County, Shijiazhuang City, Hebei Province. He died in Zanhuang County Detention Center in June 2001. He was abused in many ways, including beatings, being handcuffed behind his back, wearing foot shackles, being shocked with electric batons, and not being provided enough food. The guards ignored him when he was in critical condition. On June 11, 2001, the guards took his corpse, still in handcuffs and foot shackles, to the county hospital, falsely claiming that he needed emergency treatment. Medical personnel at the hospital wanted to send the corpse straight to the morgue, since they determined that Mr. Ding had died days prior and that his corpse was decayed and attracting flies. However, the police forced the doctors to "treat" him and give him infusions. The doctors pretended to "treat" the patient and "diagnosed" the cause of death “no breath, no heartbeat, and no returned blood during the transfusion.” They then sent Mr. Ding to the morgue. The police also forced the doctors to provide false evidence by filling out a report claiming Mr. Ding "died after failed emergency treatment" in order to conceal the truth of their crimes. The police suppressed the news of Mr. Ding's death and did not even notify his family of his death. When Mr. his family learned about his sudden death and rushed to the hospital, they were not allowed to see Mr. Ding's body. (http://www.minghui.org/mh/articles/2001/6/19/12279.html) 

Psychological Abuse--Another Cause of Death

 

Among the death cases, some practitioners died from psychological abuse. These practitioners usually had illnesses prior to practicing and became physically healthy after practicing Falun Gong. However, they were harassed and threatened to such a degree after the persecution began on July 20, 1999, that their illnesses reoccurred. People then think that they died from their illnesses. In fact, their deaths were caused by the CCP's persecution of Falun Gong. The CCP has incessantly stirred up the Chinese people's hatred of Falun Gong. This has also caused great pressure from society. 

Examples: 

1. Mr. Feng Min, 75, was from the Nankai District of Tianjin. He had previously undergone heart bypass surgery before practicing Falun Gong and was in poor health. In 1994, his health greatly improved when he began practicing Falun Gong. He was harassed and threatened by local police many times since July 20, 1999. He died in 2004. (http://www.clearwisdom.net/emh/articles/2004/12/29/56054.html) 

2. Tang Shiyu was a student at Fucun Elementary School, Dandong City, Liaoning Province. In 1995, the hospital claimed he had only six months to live due to heart disease he had suffered since early childhood. After he started practicing Falun Gong in 1996, his health had improved, and he was able to go to school. After the CCP began persecuting Falun Gong, Tang's home was ransacked five times. He was detained once and his parents were imprisoned. He was under great pressure and suffered psychological pain, which caused his heart disease to recur. He died on April 25, 2005, at the age of 15. (http://www.clearwisdom.net/emh/articles/2005/5/17/60859.html) 

Addendum:

 

Many other torture methods are used in the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners, including brainwashing, injection of poisonous drugs, and even organ harvesting. Some practitioners were killed in shockingly inhuman ways. The brutal persecution of Falun Gong continues today.

 

Posting date: 5/18/2011
Category: Death Cases
Chinese version available at 
http://www.minghui.org/mh/articles/2011/4/28/中共迫害致死法轮功学员案例概述（图）-239576.html