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MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION (2024/2504(RSP))

On The ongoing persecution of Falun Gong in China, notably the case of Mr Ding Yuande

B-9-2024-0079

on behalf of the ECR Group · Rapporteur: Anna Fotyga, Angel Dzhambazki, Andzelika Anna Mozdzanowska, Hermann Tertsch, Elzbieta Kruk, Anna Zalewska, Charlie Weimers, Zladislaw Krasnodebski, Joachim Brudzinski, Waldemar Tomaszewski, Witold Wasczykowski, Adam Bielan, Jadwiga Wisniewska, Assita Kanko

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✦ In short · AI summary of this text, generated 26 Sept 2026

Written by a language model from the full text only; every figure comes from the text. The paragraph links open the paragraph a statement rests on — check the text itself before relying on it.

Parliament's resolution condemns China's persecution of Falun Gong practitioners and calls for the release of Ding Yuande, sentenced to three years in prison and fined 15,000 yuan. It calls on China to respect freedom of religion or belief and to stop monitoring, harassing and detaining religious groups, including through the Administrative Measures for Religious Activity Venues and the Patriotic Education Law. It asks the EU and member states to raise Falun Gong and religious freedom at every dialogue with China, and the Council to issue Magnitsky-style sanctions against those involved in the crackdown.

Key points

  1. Calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Ding Yuande, the dropping of all charges, and access to medical services and legal counsel in jail.
  2. Condemns the Chinese government's campaign of persecution against Falun Gong practitioners and reiterates concerns about reports of state-sanctioned organ harvesting.
  3. Calls on Chinese authorities to respect freedom of religion or belief and to stop monitoring, harassing, detaining or intimidating religious leaders and members.
  4. Condemns China's restrictions on religious activities, including through the Administrative Measures for Religious Activity Venues and the Patriotic Education Law.
  5. Calls for the EU and its member states to raise Falun Gong and the wider religious freedom situation at every dialogue with China.
  6. Calls on the Council to issue Magnitsky-style sanctions against individuals and entities participating in the crackdown on Falun Gong practitioners.

Who is affected

  • Ding Yuande, sentenced to three years in prison and fined 15,000 yuan, whom Parliament calls to be released.
  • Falun Gong practitioners in China, who face harassment, surveillance, arrest, detention and coercion.
  • The EU and its member states, asked to raise Falun Gong and religious freedom at every dialogue with China.
  • The Council, asked to issue Magnitsky-style sanctions against individuals and entities involved in the crackdown.

Figures and deadlines

  • 12 May 2023: Ding Yuande and Ma Ruimei were arrested after police stormed their tea plantation.
  • 24 May: Ma Ruimei was released on bail pending trial but placed under secret surveillance.
  • 13 June: Ding Yuande was transferred to the Rizhao City Detention Center.
  • 28 November: Ding Yuande was tried at the Wulian County People's Court.
  • 15 December: Ding Yuande was sentenced to three years in prison and fined 15,000 yuan.
  • 1999: China banned Falun Gong, outlawing it as an 'evil cult'.
  • 2020: China launched the Zero-Out campaign focused on eliminating Falun Gong practitioners.
  • September 2023 and January 2024: new legislation on Administrative Measures for Religious Activity Venues and the Patriotic Education Law.