[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 123 (Wednesday, September 25, 2002)]
[Senate]
[Page S9226]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                               FALUN GONG

  Mr. BOND. Mr. President, today I would like to recognize the 
determination and perseverance of the Falun Gong, a peaceful movement 
seeking the basic freedoms to think as they wish and believe as they 
choose that we as Americans hold so dear.
  Three principles of Truth, Compassion, and Tolerance lie at the core 
of Falun Gong. Those who practice Falun Gong do so to become better, 
healthier people through living by these principles.
  Despite Falun Gong's peaceful principles and teachings, violations of 
human rights have occurred in China against Falun Gong practitioners. 
Human rights is an important goal as recognized by the United Nations 
Universal Declaration of Human Rights which sets forth certain basic 
rights such as the right to life, to liberty, and to the freedom of 
expression. The Senate has ratified a series of international treaties 
such as International Covenant of Civil and Political Rights, 1976, and 
the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading 
Treatment or Punishment, 1987. The Senate's approval of these and other 
treaties highlights the progress made towards human rights.
  In direct response to the recent human rights violations against 
Falun Gong practitioners, the Senate, on November 19, 1999, unanimously 
approved Senate Resolution 217. This resolution, ``recognizing the 
plight of many Chinese citizens,'' calls on the Government of the 
People's Republic of China to: 1. release all prisoners of conscience 
and put an immediate end to the harassment, detention, physical abuse, 
and imprisonment of Chinese citizens exercising their legitimate rights 
to free belief, expression, and association; and 2. demonstrate its 
willingness to abide by internationally accepted norms of freedom of 
belief, expression, and association by repealing or amending laws and 
decrees that restrict those freedoms and proceeding promptly to ratify 
and implement the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
  We must embrace the opportunity to continue to support the principles 
of Falun Gong to realize freedom and I wish them well in their quest 
for freedom and justice.

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