How many people have been affected by Jiang Zemin's persecution against Falun Gong?

Since the former leader of China, Jiang Zemin, began the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in 1999:
100 million people practiced Falun Gong in 1998, but lost that right when Jiang banned it in 1999.
Millions of Falun Gong practitioners have been illegally arrested, detained and/or abused by Chinese police.
Between 200,000 and 1 million have been illegally sent to forced labor camps without trials.
Human rights workers have documented over 38,000 specific cases of torture or severe abuse.
More than 1,000 healthy individuals have been incarcerated in mental hospitals and tortured there, an act condemned by World Psychiatric Association.
More than 500 have been sentenced to prison terms of up to 18 years.
At least 3137 deaths through police abuse and torture have been confirmed, with government sources inside China indicating that the actual number could be has high as 7,000 or more.

What is Falun Gong?

Falun Gong is a traditional Chinese spiritual discipline that includes exercise and meditation. Its principles are based on Truth, Compassion, and Tolerance. Persons who practice regularly find it to bring them better health, reduced stress, inner peace, and deepened morals. The practice began in China in 1992 and quickly spread by word of mouth throughout China and then beyond. Today, Falun Gong is practiced by over 100 million people in more than 60 countries.

For more information about the practice of Falun Gong, visit FalunDafa.org.

Who is Mr. Li Hongzhi?

Mr. Li Hongzhi is the founder and teacher of Falun Gong. He introduced the practice to the general public in China in 1992. In keeping with Chinese tradition, Li is often respectfully referred to as "Master" or "Teacher," but he is not accorded special treatment, nor does he accept money or donations from students of Falun Gong. Li has given lectures on Falun Gong in many countries, including Australia, Switzerland, Germany, Canada, and the United States. For his contributions to humanity he has been given over 600 honors and awards, and is a three-time Nobel Peace Prize nominee.

Why is the Chinese government persecuting Falun Gong?

A 1998 Chinese Government survey indicated there were 100 million people practicing Falun Gong in China -- a mere six years since it was first introduced to the public. Fearing Falun Gong's widespread popularity was overshadowing his own legacy, then-Chinese leader Jiang Zemin ordered the traditional Chinese practice "eradicated." According to a 1999 Washington Post article, "Communist Party sources said that the standing committee of the Politburo did not unanimously endorse the crackdown and that Jiang alone decided that Falun Gong must be eliminated." Other groups whose beliefs are not controlled by the Chinese State are persecuted as well, like Protestants, Roman Catholics, and Tibetan Buddhists.

For a more detailed account of why the Chinese leader is persecuting Falun Gong, visit our special report on the subject.

How has Falun Gong responded to this oppression?

Practitioners of Falun Gong in China have, for the past five years, continually made appeals to the Chinese government via peaceful, legal channels, and have resisted the persecution with nonviolent public protests -- acts which, themselves, have often lead to imprisonment, torture and murder at the hands of Chinese police. Throughout, there has not been a single report of Falun Gong practitioners responding with violence, destroying property, or the like - despite grave injustices. Practitioners and supporters of Falun Gong outside China have taken up long marches, staged sit-ins, launched letter-writing campaigns, staged rallies, held press conferences, and documented rights abuses -- also strictly adhering to peaceful means to raise awareness.

What has been the United States' response, and that of the international community?

The US government has been unequivocal in its opposition to China's actions against Falun Gong. In November of 1999 the US House unanimously passed resolution 218, with the Senate concurring, which condemned Beijing's actions and called for the immediate release of all jailed practitioners. A new, even stronger resolution, HR 188, was passed unanimously in July of 2002. Former President Clinton, President Bush and Secretary of State Powell have spoken out and issued statements on the persecution of Falun Gong. Governments around the world have responded with similar force. Human rights groups and other organizations have been outspoken in their support for Falun Gong's freedom of belief, including Freedom House, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, Physicians for Human Rights, and the National Organization for Women.