[Minghui Net] On May 18, 2001, Dafa practitioners in Russia held a press conference in an old Journalist Palace located in the center of St. Petersburg.
The press conference was held jointly with the Russian Institute of Journalism. Attendees of this conference included representatives from Amnesty International, representatives of the Moscow/Helsinki Human Rights Protection Movement, and reporters from several respected publishers, including Radio Magazine. The Russian Institute of Journalism is renowned for its persistence in standing up for independence. Just a couple months ago, the director and an employee of this Institute were pressured by the Chinese Government, yet they resisted and maintained freedom of speech in Russia. Furthermore, they successfully arranged a press conference initiated by Falun Dafa practitioners in Moscow.
During the conference, practitioners introduced Falun Dafa to the attendees and exposed the brutal persecution of practitioners in China by the Chinese government. They also exposed the harassment and persecution of practitioners in Russia by Chinese diplomatic officials.
The Moscow/Helsinki Human Rights Protection Movement group asserted that the interference with and persecution of Falun Gong practitioners on Russian territory by Chinese special agents and diplomatic officials cannot be allowed; it is an act of interference with the internal affairs of a sovereign state. They emphasized that the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners happening in China violates the Chinese Constitution. They also mentioned that besides Falun Gong, other practices are being persecuted using the label of "superstition" as justification.
The coordinator of Amnesty International in Moscow made a special statement: "The usage of various kinds of equipment to torture Falun Gong practitioners has exposed the criminal and inhumane character of the Chinese government, especially as it is against its own people."
During a question and answer session, a reporter asked whether exposing the Falun Gong issue would affect the relationship between Russia and China. Falun Dafa practitioners explained that cultivating Falun Dafa would not damage the relationship between the two countries, but would help Russians to learn more about Chinese culture and Chinese customs. They pointed out that many Russian practitioners have, in fact, begun studying Mandarin. Furthermore, they explained that it would also aid in the mutual understanding and improve the friendship between the two nationalities.
Everyone at the conference shared common beliefs regarding human rights: no matter what philosophies or ideologies the leaders of a nation hold, freedom of belief, speech, and assembly must be respected in any country or nationality. It is very vicious of the Chinese government to persecute, torture, and kill its own kind-hearted people.
Many reporters were reluctant to leave after the conference was over. They eagerly talked to practitioners to learn more details about the Falun Gong situation in China and Russia. Practitioners took this opportunity to clarify the truth and enlighten with compassion. The outcome of the conference was very good.
Category: April 25 Events
