Widespread Support for Falun Gong in the UK

In the UK many practitioners have been contacting the leaders in their communities and explaining the truth about Falun Gong. This has involved writing many letters and meeting many people. As a result we have received statements of support from many politicians, academics and religious leaders. Below are some examples. The list of the names is included at the end.

U.K Practitioners

October 22, 2000

I believe that Falun Gong is an entirely peaceful spiritual movement which poses no threat to the People's Republic of China.

Article 18 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that: "Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance."

I believe that, under Article 18, everyone has the right to manifest his or her own belief in accordance with the tenets of Falun Gong.

I deplore the persecution and imprisonment of Falun Gong practitioners simply because of their beliefs and practices, and we urge our [UK] Governments, and international human rights organisations, including the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mrs Mary Robinson, to make continuous representations to the Government of the People's Republic of China, to allow Falun Gong practitioners to conduct their peaceful activities without interference or hindrance.

---- The Rt. Hon. Michael Howard QC MP, Former UK Home Secretary, 4 September 2000

Similar document also signed by Sir Sidney Chapman MP, Anne Campbell MP, Lord Beaumont, Baroness Usha Prashar

On the contrary, by developing the moral and spiritual goodness of its members it is a positive benefit to the nation.

---- additional statement made within the document by Bishop Dr. John Austin Baker, 20 September 2000

I know too that Her Majesty's government (and the European Union) have expressed to the Chinese authorities their concern about the treatment of Falun Gong adherents, since the movement was banned in July 1999.

Naturally, I share that concern and join Her Majesty's government in urging the Chinese authorities, in accordance with international human rights standards and the principles of the rule of law, to review the harsh sentences which have been imposed in some cases and to ensure that safeguards of a fair trial, including legal representation, are fully respected in relation to all the individuals concerned.

---- Letter from The Rt. Hon. The Lord Howe of Aberavon CH QC [former UK Chancellor], 4 Sept. 2000

Falun Gong has three watchwords: Truthfulness, Benevolence, Forbearance. These express admirable values, which are likely to produce social harmony.

This movement does not appear to have any of the characteristics normally associated with the word "cult", nor is it a political party. Its system of exercise and meditation seems to be one that deeply rooted in traditional Buddhism and Taoism.

I deeply regret that practitioners of Falun Gong and Falun Dafa are suffering repression in China. It is appalling that 42 such persons have suffered death while in custody of the Authorities.

---- Statement by The Lord Hylton, 1 September 2000

Any nation that wishes to be judged by its human rights record should provide freedom of expression and association and religious freedom to all its citizens.

One would wish that the Chinese Authorities would judge the practice of Falun Gong in China as a basic human right of its practitioners.

---- Statement by Dr Rudi Vis MP, 1 August 2000

I am pleased to inform you that I fully support the desires of people in China to Practice Falun Gong freely. It is a disgrace that the Chinese authorities have outlawed it even though it has been practised for many years without having caused any considerable disturbance.

---- Letter from Simon Thomas MP, 21 August 2000

this House urges the Government to support a resolution to the United Nation's Human Rights Commission in Geneva this March and April which calls on China to end this indefensible persecution of its own citizens.

---- House of Commons Early Day Motion 508, Signed by 17 MPs, 10 March 2000

The [UK] Government expressed their disappointment to the Chinese Government at the banning of the Falun Gong organisation on 22nd July and supported an EU Presidency demarche in Beijing on 29th July to the Chinese Government.

---- Baroness Scotland of Asthal, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Falun Gong is an entirely peaceful belief system which encourages the highest standards of moral behaviour

---- Lord Avebury, Lords' Hansard (House of Lords debate), China: Falun Gong, 21 Oct. 1999: Column 1292-1294

It is shocking to read of the arrest in China of Ms Yang Fang, Mr Zhao Ming and Mr Liu Feng for practicing and advocating Falun Gong. I came to know all three in Ireland and nobody could be more inoffensive and respectable, quietly practicing their exercises in Merrion Square. Falun Gong is entirely non-political, aiming at self-improvement through exercise and study. The underlying philosophy is difficult for many Westerners to comprehend, but these three people, all model citizens, are certainly good advertisements for it.

---- Letter to the Irish Times, by Lord Moyne, February 2, 2000

these people are not only harmless but also deeply respectable. They believe in enhancing their spirituality and exercising in large groups which have become rather conspicuous and the [Chinese] regime does not like people congregating except as organised by itself. The [Chinese] government is essentially still the same as that which devastated China during the Cultural Revolution.

---- Lord Moyne, in Daily Telegraph, 21 Oct. 1999

UK parliament

Alan Simpson

Anne Campbell

Baroness Miller

Baroness Richardson

Baroness Usha Prashar

Bill Etherington

Bob Russell

Brian Jenkins

Dafydd Wigley

David Trimble

Dr Jenny Tonge

Dr Lynne Jones

Dr Rudi Vis

Dr Stephen J Ladyman

Gerald Kaufmann

Glenda Jackson

Harry Cohen

Helen Brinton

Ian Stewart

Joe Ashton

Kevin McNamara

Leslie Turnberg

Lord Avebury

Lord Beaumont

Lord Brett

Lord Giles Joffe

Lord Goldsmith QC

Lord Goodhart Q.C.

Lord Howe

Lord Hylton

Lord Judd

Lord Lamont

Lord Moyne

Lord Russell-Johnston

Michael Howard QC

Paul Flynn

Simon Thomas

Sir Peter Lloyd

Sir Sydney Chapman

Sir Teddy Taylor

Stephen Day

The Baroness Howells

Tony Lloyd

National Assembly for Wales

A J Tobin

Ann Jones

Cefyn H Williams

Cynog Dafis

Gareth Jones

Rod Richards

Scottish Councillors

Allan Petrie

Andy Davison

Dave Beattie

David Bowes

Elizabeth Fordyce J.P.

J.Barrie

Joe Fitzpatrick

Kenneth Guild

Rikki Beattie

William Sawers

Greater London Assembly Member

Brian Johnson

Academics

Helen Fenwick Law Department, Durham University

Professor GA Cohen, All Souls College, Oxford University

Prof.Andrew Collier Philosophy Department, Southampton University

Kinch Hoekstra Philosophy Department, Balliol College, Oxford University

Steven Greer Law Department, Bristol University

Prof.John Brooke Religions