FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Nathea Lee, 202/904-7746

(June 10, 2003) Friends of Falun Gong USA Executive Director Alan Adler today issued the following statement regarding the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on International Relations filing of an amicus brief that affirms Falun Gong practitioners’ right to bring legal action against former Chinese Communist Party Chairman Jiang Zemin under the Alien Tort Claim Act and Torture Victims Protection Act:

Friends of Falun Gong USA commends the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on International Relations for supporting a class action lawsuit brought by Falun Gong practitioners who seek to hold Jiang Zemin accountable for genocide, torture, and acts against humanity. In filing an amicus brief in the case, the Committee affirms the sanctity of the inalienable rights enshrined in our Constitution. (Read the full text of the amicus brief)

The brief notes that “human rights concerns, such as those raised by this case, have long been considered a key aspect of U.S. foreign policy” and endorses the use of the Alien Tort Claim Act and Torture Victim Protection Act to protect Falun Gong practitioners’ ability to freely practice their faith.

Falun Gong practitioners in China and abroad are individuals who follow a spiritual belief system that Jiang Zemin has vowed to “eradicate.” Within China, they are systematically denied the opportunity to practice their beliefs without fear of severe reprisal, including various forms of intimidation and torture. In filing the lawsuit in October 2002, they sought the protection of the U.S. legal system and an end to the persecution under which they suffer.

The International Relations Committee recognizes Falun Gong followers’ quest to live by moral principles such as honesty, kindness, and tolerance for others and through its brief, extends the protection of Congressional legislation toward that end. Friends of Falun Gong applauds this stance. Our fervent hope is that the case will be allowed to move forward and that justice will ultimately prevail.”

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