92002E1969

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1969/02

by Chris Davies (ELDR) to the Commission

(8 July 2002)

Subject: Falun Gong

Is the Commission aware of allegations that the Chinese Government is persecuting and has persecuted practitioners of Falun Gong, and has the Commission made any representations to the Chinese Government about this issue?

Does the Commission believe that the Chinese Government has any acceptable justification for its alleged behaviour, and does it have any evidence that Falun Gong practitioners pose a threat to the stability of the state, to the Communist Party, to law and order, or to commerce in China?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(17 July 2002)

The Commission closely follows the human rights situation in China and is aware of incidents concerning Falun Gong practitioners. The Union has on several occasions undertaken formal démarches to the Chinese authorities, to express concern about reports of torture and ill treatment of Falun Gong practitioners, who have been arrested and the harshness of sentences given to those practitioners. The Commission has urged China to review such harsh sentences, and to ensure that safeguards for a fair trial, including adequate legal representation, are fully respected for all individuals. It has also called on China to comply with the United Nations (UN) human rights covenants it has signed, which include provisions concerning freedom of expression and the right to a fair trial.

A bilateral dialogue on human rights was established between the Union and China in 1996. In this framework the Union has regularly raised and will continue to raise individual cases of concern, including those of Falun Gong practitioners. The issue was also raised during the last round of the dialogue in Madrid in April 2002.

The Commission is not aware of any evidence that Falun Going practitioners pose a threat to the stability of the China, to the Communist Party, to law and order, or to commerce, in China.