On the ongoing persecution of Falun Gong in China, notably the case of Mr Ding Yuande
B-9-2024-0074
on behalf of the Renew Group · Rapporteur: Engin Eroglu, Petras Auštrevičius, Malik Azmani, Izaskun Bilbao Barandica, Olivier Chastel, Svenja Hahn, Moritz Körner, Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Karen Melchior, Dragos Pislaru, Frédérique Ries, Soraya Rodríguez, Ramona Strugariu, Dragos Tudorache, Hilde Vautmans
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Parliament's resolution condemns the persecution of Falun Gong in China and calls for the release of detained supporters, including Ma Zhenyu, and for information on missing supporters.¶¶ It cites the case of Ding Yuande, sentenced to three years in prison and fined approximately 15,000 RMB, and his wife Ma Ruimei, released but under surveillance.¶¶ It urges China to respect its international and constitutional obligations on freedom of religious belief and asks the EU to raise the issue in human rights dialogues.¶¶ It also voices concern about disinformation spread by media outlets affiliated with Falun Gong, such as the Epoch Times, while saying this does not justify human rights violations.¶
Key points
- Parliament calls on the government of the People's Republic of China to immediately and unconditionally release Falun Gong supporters detained for their affiliation, such as Ma Zhenyu, and to address the whereabouts of missing supporters.¶
- It condemns the systemic persecution of religious minorities, such as Falun Gong practitioners, across China and calls on the Chinese authorities to immediately end all restrictions on freedom of religious belief.¶
- It urges China to abide by its obligations under international law and its own constitution to respect, protect and fulfil human rights, including freedom of religious belief.¶
- It recalls the importance of the EU raising human rights violations in China, in particular the persecution of Falun Gong, during political and human rights dialogues with the Chinese authorities.¶
- It expresses concern about disinformation and conspiracy theories spread through media outlets affiliated with Falun Gong, such as the Epoch Times, within the EU and several third countries, but stresses this does not justify alleged serious human rights violations against individuals associated with the movement.¶
Who is affected
- Falun Gong practitioners in China, who face detention, torture, deaths in custody and forced organ harvesting according to reports.¶¶
- Ding Yuande, sentenced to three years in prison and fined, and Ma Ruimei, released but under surveillance.¶¶
- The government and authorities of the People's Republic of China, called on to release detainees and end restrictions on religious belief.¶¶¶
- The EU and its member states, urged to raise human rights violations in China during dialogues.¶
- Media outlets affiliated with Falun Gong, such as the Epoch Times, noted for spreading disinformation and conspiracy theories.¶
Figures and deadlines
- 1999: year the Communist Party of China banned Falun Gong.¶
- May 12, 2023: date of mass arrest campaign in Rizhao City, Shandong Province, detaining Ding Yuande, Ma Ruimei and approximately 70 other practitioners.¶
- May 24, 2023: date Ma Ruimei was released.¶
- December 15, 2023: date Ding Yuande was sentenced to three years in prison and fined approximately 15,000 RMB (or 2,000 Euros).
- Article 36 of the Constitution of the People's Republic of China: stipulates freedom of religious belief.¶