Falun Gong in China: Persecuted for Meditation

6 min read

Photo: Falun Gong protest II - Newtown grafitti

China Falun Gong persecution has been continuous since 1999, when the Chinese Communist Party banned the practice. Falun Gong (also known as Falun Dafa) is a spiritual practice combining meditation, qigong exercises, and moral teachings introduced in 1992. Furthermore, before the ban, Falun Gong had millions of practitioners — government estimates of 70-100 million by 1999 made it larger than the CCP membership. The CCP perceived this scale as a threat, leading to systematic persecution. As a result, Falun Gong asylum claims remain among the most established religious persecution claims globally. This article documents the persecution and asylum implications.[1]

Falun Gong and the 1999 Ban

Falun Gong was introduced by Li Hongzhi in 1992. The practice combines meditation, qigong exercises, and the moral principles "Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance." Furthermore, it grew rapidly during the 1990s. On 25 April 1999, approximately 10,000 practitioners gathered in Beijing to peacefully request recognition — an event that alarmed the CCP. Three months later, on 20 July 1999, Jiang Zemin's CCP banned the practice and launched the persecution campaign through the dedicated "610 Office." As a result, practitioners faced systematic persecution beginning that year. Therefore, the persecution has been continuous for over 25 years.[2]

The 610 Office

The "610 Office" (named for its 6/10/1999 establishment date) was created specifically to manage the Falun Gong persecution. The office operates as an extra-legal body, with personnel and budget across CCP and state structures. Furthermore, the 610 Office has reportedly been involved in: arrests; "transformation through reeducation" facilities; torture practices; organ harvesting allegations. As a result, the 610 Office represents the institutional persecution apparatus. Therefore, country expert reports should reference this specific apparatus.[3]

Detention and Torture

Falun Gong practitioners face: (1) Detention in "transformation through reeducation" labour camps; (2) Imprisonment for "using cult to undermine implementation of law" (Article 300 of Criminal Law); (3) "Brainwashing centres" with sleep deprivation, forced renunciation; (4) Torture — including electric shock, beatings, sleep deprivation, force-feeding; (5) Sexual violence in detention; (6) Long prison sentences. Furthermore, the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture has documented widespread torture of Falun Gong practitioners. As a result, Falun Gong-related torture is among the most documented in China. Therefore, asylum claims have strong factual base.[4]

Organ Harvesting Allegations

Allegations of forced organ harvesting from Falun Gong practitioners have been the subject of multiple investigations. (1) Kilgour-Matas-Gutmann report (2006, updated 2016) — found "credible evidence" of large-scale organ harvesting from prisoners of conscience, particularly Falun Gong; (2) China Tribunal (London, 2019, chaired by Sir Geoffrey Nice KC) — concluded "beyond reasonable doubt" that forced organ harvesting had occurred; (3) UN Special Rapporteurs raised concerns; (4) Multiple academic studies on China's organ transplant capacity and source. Furthermore, the China Tribunal specifically found that the harvesting constituted crime against humanity. As a result, the allegations are taken seriously by international community. Therefore, the organ harvesting dimension is relevant to country expert reports.[5]

"The Tribunal's members are certain — unanimously, and sure beyond reasonable doubt — that in China forced organ harvesting from prisoners of conscience has been practiced for a substantial period of time involving a very substantial number of victims."China Tribunal (London), Final Judgment, 17 June 2019

The Persecution Continues

The Falun Gong persecution has continued without interruption since 1999. Recent years have seen: continuing detentions; ongoing 610 Office operations; surveillance of practitioners through social media; targeting of online Falun Gong activity; pressure on family members; arrests during sensitive periods (anniversaries, Olympics, CCP congresses). Furthermore, the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has issued multiple opinions on detained practitioners. As a result, the persecution is ongoing, not historical. Therefore, contemporary Falun Gong asylum claims remain valid.[6]

International Recognition

International recognition of Falun Gong persecution: (1) US Congressional hearings and resolutions; (2) UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention opinions; (3) UN Special Rapporteurs on Torture and Religion; (4) EU Parliament resolutions; (5) Multiple national parliaments (Canada, UK, Taiwan); (6) Forced organ harvesting concerns raised by ECHR; (7) WHO involvement on transplant ethics. Furthermore, the international community has consistently recognised the persecution. As a result, Falun Gong asylum claims have rich documentary support. Therefore, the international record supports refugee determinations.[7]

Sur Place Activity

Falun Gong sur place activity creates additional risks. Common activities: (1) Public parades and demonstrations; (2) "Tian Guo Marching Band" performances; (3) "Shen Yun" cultural performances; (4) Distribution of Falun Gong literature; (5) Online practitioner activity; (6) Truth-telling about persecution. Furthermore, the Chinese state monitors and pressures diaspora practitioners. As a result, sur place activity strengthens asylum claims while creating continuing risk. Therefore, the sur place dimension is significant.[8]

Asylum Implications

Falun Gong asylum claims engage: religion (most directly); imputed political opinion (refusal to renounce viewed as political resistance); particular social group; in some cases, race/nationality. Furthermore, the well-established persecution and the 25+ year history provide rich evidentiary base. As a result, Falun Gong asylum claims are among the most consistently successful religious persecution claims globally. Therefore, well-documented Falun Gong cases typically succeed.[9]

Conclusion: Continuing Religious Persecution

China's persecution of Falun Gong, beginning in 1999, has continued for over 25 years. Furthermore, the detention, torture, and alleged organ harvesting have been documented by multiple international bodies. As a result, Falun Gong asylum claims have unusually strong evidentiary base. Therefore, asylum systems should grant protection to practitioners fleeing the persecution.

Related Articles

Uyghur Children Separated from Families: State Boarding Schools

China Monitors Its Diaspora: Even Abroad You're Not Safe

Hong Kong Protesters: National Security Law Made Them Criminals