Falun Dafa (Falun Gong) A presentation prepared for United Nations Society Executive Meeting 4th...

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Falun Dafa (Falun Falun Dafa (Falun Gong) Gong) A presentation prepared for A presentation prepared for United Nations Society Executive United Nations Society Executive Meeting Meeting 4th October 2005 4th October 2005

Transcript of Falun Dafa (Falun Gong) A presentation prepared for United Nations Society Executive Meeting 4th...

Falun Dafa (Falun Gong)Falun Dafa (Falun Gong)

A presentation prepared forA presentation prepared for

United Nations Society Executive MeetingUnited Nations Society Executive Meeting

4th October 20054th October 2005

What is Falun Dafa?What is Falun Dafa?• Oriental practice of mind and body improvement, often called Chinese YogaOriental practice of mind and body improvement, often called Chinese Yoga

• 4 standing gentle exercises and a sitting meditation4 standing gentle exercises and a sitting meditation

• Practitioners live by Truth, Compassion and Tolerance in their everyday livesPractitioners live by Truth, Compassion and Tolerance in their everyday lives

• Benefits include stress relief, improved health and spiritual growthBenefits include stress relief, improved health and spiritual growth

Falun Dafa Spreads in China Falun Dafa Spreads in China

• Since founder Mr Li Hongzhi first spread it in 1992, Falun Dafa rapidly spread in ChinaSince founder Mr Li Hongzhi first spread it in 1992, Falun Dafa rapidly spread in China

• A Chinese Government survey in 1998 revealed 70-100 million practice it in China aloneA Chinese Government survey in 1998 revealed 70-100 million practice it in China alone

• Before July 1999 it supported Falun Dafa, commending its health benefits and contribution Before July 1999 it supported Falun Dafa, commending its health benefits and contribution to society. It also sponsored Falun Dafa events.to society. It also sponsored Falun Dafa events.

Falun Dafa Spreads to 60 Falun Dafa Spreads to 60 countriescountries

• Founder Li Hongzhi held Falun Dafa lectures in dozens of countries, Founder Li Hongzhi held Falun Dafa lectures in dozens of countries, ranging from European nations, USA, Canada, Singapore and Malaysia, to ranging from European nations, USA, Canada, Singapore and Malaysia, to AustraliaAustralia

• Falun Dafa has since spread to 60 countries and its books are available in Falun Dafa has since spread to 60 countries and its books are available in 33 languages33 languages

• There are 1,500 practitioners in Australia and exercise sites in almost all There are 1,500 practitioners in Australia and exercise sites in almost all Sydney suburbs and universitiesSydney suburbs and universities

Awards and RecognitionAwards and Recognition

• Falun Dafa has been widely acclaimed and received hundreds of awards and Falun Dafa has been widely acclaimed and received hundreds of awards and proclamations for its health and morally uplifting benefits, from China, USA, proclamations for its health and morally uplifting benefits, from China, USA, Canada, Europe, Australia and TaiwanCanada, Europe, Australia and Taiwan

• Founder Li Hongzhi has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize 4 times Founder Li Hongzhi has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize 4 times and for the Sacharow Prize for Freedom of Thought by EU Parliament and for the Sacharow Prize for Freedom of Thought by EU Parliament MembersMembers

Persecution and GenocidePersecution and Genocide• Since July 1999 the Chinese Communist Party’s relentless persecution of Since July 1999 the Chinese Communist Party’s relentless persecution of

Falun Dafa has affected the lives of 70-100 million people and their familiesFalun Dafa has affected the lives of 70-100 million people and their families

• Hundreds of thousands are sent to Chinese labour camps without trial, Hundreds of thousands are sent to Chinese labour camps without trial, brainwashed, tortured and pressured to denounce their beliefbrainwashed, tortured and pressured to denounce their belief

• Out of over 250,000 in detention, half are Falun Dafa practitionersOut of over 250,000 in detention, half are Falun Dafa practitioners

• Over 2,733 practitioners have been tortured to death by Chinese Over 2,733 practitioners have been tortured to death by Chinese authoritiesauthorities

Persecution extends to Persecution extends to AustraliaAustralia

• China has infiltrated Australia with 1,000 spies, and China has infiltrated Australia with 1,000 spies, and incited hatred in the Chinese community towards Falun incited hatred in the Chinese community towards Falun Dafa, causing discrimination, harrassment and Dafa, causing discrimination, harrassment and vandalismvandalism

• Chinese Embassy and Consulates have pressured Chinese Embassy and Consulates have pressured councils to exclude Falun Dafa from community councils to exclude Falun Dafa from community festivals and Chinese Lunar New Year festivals for 6 festivals and Chinese Lunar New Year festivals for 6 successive yearssuccessive years

• In 2002 on the Chinese Foreign Minister’s visit the In 2002 on the Chinese Foreign Minister’s visit the Australian Government, under pressure from China, Australian Government, under pressure from China, ordered seizure of Falun Dafa banners and sound ordered seizure of Falun Dafa banners and sound equipment outside the Chinese Embassy. Downer has equipment outside the Chinese Embassy. Downer has since prohibited their use, signing certificates each since prohibited their use, signing certificates each month, impairing freedom of expressionmonth, impairing freedom of expression

• Since June 2005 UTS has been pressured by China to Since June 2005 UTS has been pressured by China to remove Falun Dafa information from its web sites, remove Falun Dafa information from its web sites, including the Student Union, otherwise face Internet including the Student Union, otherwise face Internet blockage in China. Due to public outcry the Falun Dafa blockage in China. Due to public outcry the Falun Dafa Club was relisted, but removed again, following a Club was relisted, but removed again, following a second Internet blockage. This has severely interfered second Internet blockage. This has severely interfered with the freedom of association, freedom of belief and with the freedom of association, freedom of belief and freedom of speech.freedom of speech.

A Peaceful ResponseA Peaceful Response• Falun Dafa are continuously appealing at Chinese Embassies and Consulates for an open Falun Dafa are continuously appealing at Chinese Embassies and Consulates for an open

dialogue with the Chinese Governmentdialogue with the Chinese Government

• Demonstrations regardless of the size have been neat, orderly and peaceful. Even Downer Demonstrations regardless of the size have been neat, orderly and peaceful. Even Downer admits Falun Dafa has set a good exampleadmits Falun Dafa has set a good example

• Practitioners are determined that with increasing voices of support and open condemnation will Practitioners are determined that with increasing voices of support and open condemnation will lead to rapid progress in ending this crisislead to rapid progress in ending this crisis

• Many have been moved by the compassion and tolerance of practitioners, who have adopted Many have been moved by the compassion and tolerance of practitioners, who have adopted non-violent and humanitarian approaches, whether they are in the form of political, cultural or non-violent and humanitarian approaches, whether they are in the form of political, cultural or legal meanslegal means

Persecution bringsPersecution bringsInternational CondemnationInternational Condemnation

• In 2002 the US Government unanimously passed (420-0) In 2002 the US Government unanimously passed (420-0) Resolution 188, condemning China’s persecution of Falun Dafa Resolution 188, condemning China’s persecution of Falun Dafa and harrassment beyond its bordersand harrassment beyond its borders

• In 2002 the Canadian Government passed Motion 236 to rescue In 2002 the Canadian Government passed Motion 236 to rescue persecuted Falun Dafa family members of Canadianspersecuted Falun Dafa family members of Canadians

• In 2003 the Australian Government passed Motion 704 to rescue In 2003 the Australian Government passed Motion 704 to rescue persecuted Falun Dafa family members of Australianspersecuted Falun Dafa family members of Australians

• In 2005 the Australian Government passed Motion 170 recognising In 2005 the Australian Government passed Motion 170 recognising the right of Australians to practice Falun Dafa without fear of the right of Australians to practice Falun Dafa without fear of harrassment and investigate allegations of harrassmentharrassment and investigate allegations of harrassment