Falun Dafa (Falun Gong) A presentation prepared for United Nations Society Executive Meeting 4th October 2005

What is Falun Dafa? Oriental practice of mind and body improvement, often called Chinese Yoga Oriental practice of mind and body improvement, often called Chinese Yoga 4 standing gentle exercises and a sitting meditation 4 standing gentle exercises and a sitting meditation Practitioners live by Truth, Compassion and Tolerance in their everyday lives Practitioners live by Truth, Compassion and Tolerance in their everyday lives Benefits include stress relief, improved health and spiritual growth Benefits include stress relief, improved health and spiritual growth

Falun Dafa Spreads in China Since founder Mr Li Hongzhi first spread it in 1992, Falun Dafa rapidly spread in China Since founder Mr Li Hongzhi first spread it in 1992, Falun Dafa rapidly spread in China A Chinese Government survey in 1998 revealed million practice it in China alone A Chinese Government survey in 1998 revealed million practice it in China alone Before July 1999 it supported Falun Dafa, commending its health benefits and contribution to society. It also sponsored Falun Dafa events. Before July 1999 it supported Falun Dafa, commending its health benefits and contribution to society. It also sponsored Falun Dafa events.

Falun Dafa Spreads to 60 countries Founder Li Hongzhi held Falun Dafa lectures in dozens of countries, ranging from European nations, USA, Canada, Singapore and Malaysia, to Australia Founder Li Hongzhi held Falun Dafa lectures in dozens of countries, ranging from European nations, USA, Canada, Singapore and Malaysia, to Australia Falun Dafa has since spread to 60 countries and its books are available in 33 languages Falun Dafa has since spread to 60 countries and its books are available in 33 languages There are 1,500 practitioners in Australia and exercise sites in almost all Sydney suburbs and universities There are 1,500 practitioners in Australia and exercise sites in almost all Sydney suburbs and universities

Awards and Recognition Falun Dafa has been widely acclaimed and received hundreds of awards and proclamations for its health and morally uplifting benefits, from China, USA, Canada, Europe, Australia and Taiwan Falun Dafa has been widely acclaimed and received hundreds of awards and proclamations for its health and morally uplifting benefits, from China, USA, Canada, Europe, Australia and Taiwan Founder Li Hongzhi has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize 4 times and for the Sacharow Prize for Freedom of Thought by EU Parliament Members Founder Li Hongzhi has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize 4 times and for the Sacharow Prize for Freedom of Thought by EU Parliament Members

Persecution and Genocide Since July 1999 the Chinese Communist Party’s relentless persecution of Falun Dafa has affected the lives of million people and their families Since July 1999 the Chinese Communist Party’s relentless persecution of Falun Dafa has affected the lives of million people and their families Hundreds of thousands are sent to Chinese labour camps without trial, brainwashed, tortured and pressured to denounce their belief Hundreds of thousands are sent to Chinese labour camps without trial, brainwashed, tortured and pressured to denounce their belief Out of over 250,000 in detention, half are Falun Dafa practitioners Out of over 250,000 in detention, half are Falun Dafa practitioners Over 2,733 practitioners have been tortured to death by Chinese authorities Over 2,733 practitioners have been tortured to death by Chinese authorities

Persecution extends to Australia China has infiltrated Australia with 1,000 spies, and incited hatred in the Chinese community towards Falun Dafa, causing discrimination, harrassment and vandalism China has infiltrated Australia with 1,000 spies, and incited hatred in the Chinese community towards Falun Dafa, causing discrimination, harrassment and vandalism Chinese Embassy and Consulates have pressured councils to exclude Falun Dafa from community festivals and Chinese Lunar New Year festivals for 6 successive years Chinese Embassy and Consulates have pressured councils to exclude Falun Dafa from community festivals and Chinese Lunar New Year festivals for 6 successive years In 2002 on the Chinese Foreign Minister’s visit the Australian Government, under pressure from China, ordered seizure of Falun Dafa banners and sound equipment outside the Chinese Embassy. Downer has since prohibited their use, signing certificates each month, impairing freedom of expression In 2002 on the Chinese Foreign Minister’s visit the Australian Government, under pressure from China, ordered seizure of Falun Dafa banners and sound equipment outside the Chinese Embassy. Downer has since prohibited their use, signing certificates each month, impairing freedom of expression Since June 2005 UTS has been pressured by China to remove Falun Dafa information from its web sites, including the Student Union, otherwise face Internet blockage in China. Due to public outcry the Falun Dafa Club was relisted, but removed again, following a second Internet blockage. This has severely interfered with the freedom of association, freedom of belief and freedom of speech. Since June 2005 UTS has been pressured by China to remove Falun Dafa information from its web sites, including the Student Union, otherwise face Internet blockage in China. Due to public outcry the Falun Dafa Club was relisted, but removed again, following a second Internet blockage. This has severely interfered with the freedom of association, freedom of belief and freedom of speech.

A Peaceful Response Falun Dafa are continuously appealing at Chinese Embassies and Consulates for an open dialogue with the Chinese Government Falun Dafa are continuously appealing at Chinese Embassies and Consulates for an open dialogue with the Chinese Government Demonstrations regardless of the size have been neat, orderly and peaceful. Even Downer admits Falun Dafa has set a good example Demonstrations regardless of the size have been neat, orderly and peaceful. Even Downer admits Falun Dafa has set a good example Practitioners are determined that with increasing voices of support and open condemnation will lead to rapid progress in ending this crisis Practitioners are determined that with increasing voices of support and open condemnation will lead to rapid progress in ending this crisis Many have been moved by the compassion and tolerance of practitioners, who have adopted non-violent and humanitarian approaches, whether they are in the form of political, cultural or legal means Many have been moved by the compassion and tolerance of practitioners, who have adopted non-violent and humanitarian approaches, whether they are in the form of political, cultural or legal means

Persecution brings International Condemnation In 2002 the US Government unanimously passed (420-0) Resolution 188, condemning China’s persecution of Falun Dafa and harrassment beyond its borders In 2002 the US Government unanimously passed (420-0) Resolution 188, condemning China’s persecution of Falun Dafa and harrassment beyond its borders In 2002 the Canadian Government passed Motion 236 to rescue persecuted Falun Dafa family members of Canadians In 2002 the Canadian Government passed Motion 236 to rescue persecuted Falun Dafa family members of Canadians In 2003 the Australian Government passed Motion 704 to rescue persecuted Falun Dafa family members of Australians In 2003 the Australian Government passed Motion 704 to rescue persecuted Falun Dafa family members of Australians In 2005 the Australian Government passed Motion 170 recognising the right of Australians to practice Falun Dafa without fear of harrassment and investigate allegations of harrassment In 2005 the Australian Government passed Motion 170 recognising the right of Australians to practice Falun Dafa without fear of harrassment and investigate allegations of harrassment