Persecution Abroad

Update: Taiwanese Businessman Returns Home after China Abduction

A Taiwanese businessman who practices Falun Gong and was abducted by Chinese security forces in June returned home safely this week, after over 50 days in detention. Mr. Chung Ting-Pang's release was an encouraging victory for human rights advocates as his family, Taiwanese media, legislators, and citizens had rallied for weeks calling for Chung's immediate release. Amnesty International had issued an urgent action on his behalf.

Under Chinese Pressure, Russia Restricts Falun Gong Rights

Responding to pressure from the Chinese Communist Party, the Russian authorities are increasingly suppressing the rights of citizens who practice Falun Gong in Russia. In the most recent development, four Falun Gong practitioners were detained in Vladivostok on Friday at a local printing shop as they were picking up flyers that expose the persecution of Falun Gong in China. One copy of the practice’s main text Zhuan Falun and the flyers were confiscated. This occurred shortly after the Supreme Court rejected an appeal to remove Zhuan Falun from a list of banned materials, and just weeks before the city hosts an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders summit to be attended by top Chinese officials.

Taiwanese Falun Gong Practitioner Abducted in China

Chinese security agents abducted a Taiwanese businessman who practices Falun Gong from an airport in southern China last week, placing him at risk of torture and imprisonment. As thousands in Taiwan have offered support to his family, the Falun Dafa Information Center calls for his immediate and unconditional release.

Sad Day in Vietnam as Falun Gong Radio Broadcasters Jailed in Show Trial

A Vietnamese court sentenced two Falun Gong practitioners to jail Thursday for broadcasting uncensored news programs via radio into China, according to their lawyer and media reports.

Urgent Appeal Update: Vietnam to Try Falun Gong Radio Broadcasters Thursday

Urgent Appeal Update: Falun Gong Trial in Vietnam Postponed, but Dozens Detained at Chinese Consulate

The trial of two Vietnamese Falun Gong practitioners, scheduled to take place today, has been postponed. The pair, charged over broadcasting radio programs into China, remain in custody, however, and could be tried at any time. Meanwhile, over 30 Falun Gong practitioners who were holding a quiet sit-in in front of the Chinese consulate in Ho Chi Minh City were detained by the authorities.

Urgent Appeal: Vietnam Must Halt Falun Gong Intimidation, Upcoming Trial

Under pressure from Beijing, the Vietnamese authorities have been escalating intimidation and abuse of the local Falun Gong community in recent weeks, while two Falun Gong practitioners are scheduled to stand trial next week for broadcasting uncensored news to China.

Human Rights Tribunal in Canada Finds Chinese Association Discriminated against Falun Gong

In a decision challenging the Communist Party's efforts to extend the persecution of Falun Gong beyond China's borders, the Human Rights Tribunal in Ontario ruled on April 27 that a local Chinese association had discriminated against an elderly Falun Gong practitioner when revoking her membership.

Chinese Agents Send New Round of Fraudulent Emails to Western Governments, NGOs

A new round of fraudulent emails was sent from suspected Chinese agents to elected officials, journalists and NGOs in Canada, the United States, France and Norway earlier this month. The emails’ senders deceptively claim to be representatives of the Falun Dafa Information Center, and the content of the messages is crafted to portray Falun Gong as bizarre, threatening, intolerant, and otherwise undeserving of sympathy or respect.

Urgent Appeal Update: Falun Gong Trial in Vietnam Postponed, but Practitioners Remain in Custody

The trial of two Vietnamese Falun Gong practitioners who had broadcast radio programs into China, scheduled to take place today, has been postponed, according to their lawyer. The pair remain in custody, however, and could be tried at any time. The Falun Dafa Information Center urges the international community to continue to call for their immediate and unconditional release.