NCJ Number
193867
Date Published
2002
Length
125 pages
Annotation
This report presents a comprehensive account of the emergence of the Chinese Falungong movement and the Chinese Government’s response to the movement’s non-violent confrontational approach and its perceived threat to the Chinese Government.
Abstract
Founded in 1992, Falungong is a modern form of qigong, an ancient Chinese practice consisting of deep-breathing, meditation, and exercise. It is seen to promote physical, mental, and spiritual well-being enhancing the flow of vital energy through a person’s body. Additionally, it has chosen a policy of peaceful-nonviolent confrontation with authorities. However, these activities are perceived as threatening to the Chinese Communist Party control. This report presents a historical overview of Falungong in China and the Governments’ response with emphasis on the Falungong demonstration held on April 25, 1999 outside a compound in Beijing housing Chinese leaders. A chronology of China’s response to Falungong practitioners is presented and includes those placed in custody in prisons, their reeducation through labor camps, psychiatric institutions, and other facilities and how they are treated. Additional chapters addressed the spread of the Chinese crackdown on Falungong practitioners and the reason behind the Chinese Government’s attack on Falungong. Two decisions made by the Government include banning Falungong and making its eradication a national priority, and creating a series of laws and legal decisions, explanations, or interpretations to justify and implement the crackdown. The Chinese Government’s response to Falungong is seen as a violation of human rights, including freedom of thought, belief, and expression, wrongful detention, unfair trials, torture, and death in custody. Recommendations are presented by the Human Rights Watch to the Chinese and Hong Kong Governments, the international community, and corporations conducting business in China on the treatment of Falungong practitioners. By 2001, most Falungong practitioners were forced underground. Appendices I-III