European Union Council's Correspondence Regarding Falun Gong

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

DIVISION FOR THE ACTIVITIES OF MEMBERS

ORAL QUESTION H-0015/00

For Question Time at the part-session in January 2000

Pursuant to Rule 43 of the Rules of Procedure

By John Cushnahan

To the Commission

Subject: Falun Gong practitioners

Is the Commission monitoring the treatment of Falun Dafa practitioners by the Chinese authorities? What action has it taken to defend the basic human rights of Falun Gong practitioners?

Tabled: 06.01.2000 En

EUROPEAN UNION

- The Council - Brussels, 11 January 2000

QUESTION: No. H-14/00

Put to the Council

By John CUSHNAHAN (PPE Ireland)

For QUESTION TIME on 19 January 2000

Subject: Falun Gong practitioners

- Is the Council monitoring the treatment of Falun Dafa practitioners by the Chinese authorities? What action has it taken to defend the basic human rights of Falun Gong practitioners?

REPLY

The Council has closely monitored the measures taken by the Chinese government against Falun Gong practitioners. The Council expressed its concern about the situation and called on the Chinese authorities to respect human rights of individuals, including those who are followers of the Falun Gong. It urged the Chinese not to act against the principles contained in the UN Covenants signed by China, in particular those relating to the freedoms of expression, assembly and association. In this context the EU expressed concern about the number of arrests and the heavy sentences imposed on members of the China Democratic Party as well as on the members of the Christian Church and the Falun Gong movement. The EU called on China to review these harsh sentences and to ensure that safeguards of a fair trial, including adequate legal representation are fully respected, in conformity with international human rights standards and the principle of the rule of law.

The Council will continue to closely monitor the situation.

QH-0015/00

January 2000

Cushnahan

Reply to oral question No 67 H-0015/00 M. John Cushnahan

The Commission Delegation in Beijing, together with Union Embassies monitors closely the situation of Falun Gong practitioners in China. The Union has on several occasions, and most recently in January 2000, undertaken formal demarches to express concern about reports of torture and ill-treatment of arrested followers of the Falun Gong movement, and the harshness of sentences given to these members. It has also sought information about the number of arrests of members of the Falun gong movement. In accordance with international human rights covenants signed by China, the Union urges Beijing to review harsh sentences imposed on Falun Gong practitioners, and to ensure that safeguards of a fair trial, including adequate legal representation, are fully respected with respect to all individuals. It calls on China to comply with the provisions and the very spirit if the UN human rights covenants it has signed even before ratification occurs. The Falun Gong issue will also be raised during the next round of the human rights dialogue between China and the Union on 17 February 2000 in Lisbon. (the dialogue moved to 25 February 2000 - noted by Irish practitioner)