Falun Gong Horror: Will US Act Against China?

As the world turns a blind eye to blatant human rights abuses, one brave asylum seeker pushes for change in the U.S. Congress.

At a Glance

Qin Yongjie calls for the swift passage of the Falun Gong Protection Act in the U.S. Congress.
The Act aims to address and counteract the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China.
The crackdown on Falun Gong has been ongoing since 1999, involving severe human rights abuses.
The U.S. legislative response could impact U.S.-China relations significantly.

Falun Gong Protection Act: A Legislative Push for Justice

Qin Yongjie, a prominent advocate for Falun Gong rights, has made an urgent call to the U.S. Congress to expedite the passage of the Falun Gong Protection Act. This proposed legislation seeks to address the ongoing persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China by providing mechanisms for accountability and protection for victims. The crackdown on Falun Gong, a spiritual practice combining meditation and moral philosophy, began in July 1999 when the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) launched a campaign to eradicate it. This crackdown has resulted in systematic persecution, including imprisonment, torture, forced labor, and allegations of organ harvesting.

The call for legislative action comes at a crucial time, coinciding with the 25th anniversary of the crackdown. For years, international advocacy and documentation of abuses have continued, but the CCP has remained steadfast in its persecution. The Falun Gong Protection Act represents a direct response from the U.S. to these ongoing human rights abuses, highlighting the intersection of international law, religious freedom, and U.S.-China relations.

Historical Context: A Legacy of Persecution

The roots of the Falun Gong crackdown trace back to April 25, 1999, when over 10,000 Falun Gong practitioners peacefully appealed in Beijing for official recognition and an end to harassment. However, instead of recognition, the CCP established the “610 Office” on June 10, 1999, to coordinate the suppression of Falun Gong. By July 20, mass arrests and an official ban on the practice were in place, marking the beginning of a brutal campaign against Falun Gong practitioners.

Over the years, this campaign has been characterized as one of the largest religious persecutions in modern China. Human rights organizations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have consistently documented abuses, drawing international condemnation. Despite this, the CCP continues to wield its state power to suppress Falun Gong domestically while influencing narratives abroad.

Implications of the Falun Gong Protection Act

The passage of the Falun Gong Protection Act could have significant short-term and long-term implications. In the short term, it could lead to sanctions, visa restrictions, and increased diplomatic tensions between the U.S. and China. In the long term, the Act has the potential to deter abuses, bring greater international scrutiny, and possibly shift U.S.-China relations. Falun Gong practitioners, both in China and the diaspora, would likely benefit from increased protection and international recognition of the abuses they face.

However, the passage of the Act could also further polarize U.S.-China relations. The CCP’s narrative regarding Falun Gong as a threat to social stability and its labeling of the practice as an “evil cult” contradict international findings and the overwhelming view of the campaign as a violation of religious freedom and human rights.

Expert Perspectives and the Path Forward

Human rights experts have described the Falun Gong crackdown as one of the most severe religious persecutions since the Cultural Revolution. The U.S. State Department and independent researchers have documented widespread abuses, including forced organ harvesting. Scholars draw parallels between the campaign against Falun Gong and earlier CCP purges and ideological campaigns, highlighting the historical continuity of such crackdowns.

As the Falun Gong Protection Act remains under consideration in the U.S. Congress, the world watches to see if the U.S. will take a definitive stand against these human rights violations. The Act’s passage would not only symbolize a commitment to justice but also set a precedent for similar legislative actions targeting other abuses. It remains to be seen whether this legislative push will succeed in bringing about meaningful change or if it will be met with resistance from those who prefer to maintain the status quo.