PRESS RELEASE:Falun Gong Practitioners in Malaysia Sued Information Officer of China Embassy and Sin Chew Daily for Defamation

4/11/2004

Falun Dafa Research Centre Berhad and 17 other Falun Gong practitioners from Malaysia filed a defamation suit against the Information Officer in China Embassy, Sun Xiang Yang and Sin Chew Daily for issuing and publishing a defamatory article in Sin Chew Daily on 18 February 2004.

Falun Dafa Research Centre is a public company limited by guarantee formed for the purpose of advocating Falun Gong teachings in Malaysia and the 17 others are Falun Gong practitioners in Malaysia.

We strongly protest over the Sin Chew article that stated Falun Gong as a heretic sect that propagates heresy and sophistries and deceive kind hearted people. The statement was done maliciously and with an intention to the plaintiffs. The article caused readers to understand that Falun Gong practitioners are dishonest and lacking in integrity. The article has seriously defamed the plaintiffs and cause Falun Gong practitioners to be brought into public scandal, odium and contempt.

We are of the opinion that is absolutely defamatory to classify Falun Gong a belief that follows the principles of “Truthfulness, Compassion and Tolerance” as a heretic sect organization. Therefore, we think legal action is necessary for upholding justice and clarifying the truth of Falun Dafa to the public.

In July 1999, the former chairman of China, Jiang Zemin started persecution on Falun Gong with an ultimate aim of eradication. According to reliable sources, till October 2004, more then 1000 practitioners have been tortured to death. Besides, there are many Falun Gong practitioners have been unlawfully sentenced and forcibly sent to the mental hospitals to be injected with medication that destroys their central nervous systems. Massive numbers of Falun Gong practitioners have been illegally sent to the labor camps, and kidnapped to “brainwashing class” in various areas of China, where they have to experience “the transformation” that makes them suffer from severe physical and mental abuse. In addition, innumerable Falun Gong practitioners are forced out of employment, school and home. Over the course of nearly five years of persecution against Falun Gong, harassment, interference with basic rights, death threats, beatings, break-ins, defamation in overseas Chinese newspaper and gunshot have targeted practitioners of Falun Gong outside China, on foreign soil.

In recent years, lawsuits around the world take aim at genocide in China. Lawsuits have been filed against the former president of China, Jiang Zemin, his infamous ‘610 Office’ members, officials in overseas Chinese Embassies in 21 countries including France, Belgium, Spain, Canada, Iceland, Finland, Germany, Moldova, Armenia, Cyprus, Taiwan, Korea, Greece, Tanzania, Austria, Sweden, Poland, Russia, Australia, USA and the United Nations. The latest case was filed in New Zealand on 26th October 2004 against Jiang for Genocide and Torture. Undeniably, it is the biggest international human rights lawsuit in time of peace since World War II. (Please visit www.flgjustice.org (English) and www.zhengdao.org (Chinese) for more information.)

The persecution of Falun Gong in China has gained attention widely in the world among governments and NGOs. Throughout the world, concerned groups and individuals worldwide who uphold truth and justice are now working hand in hand to form “Global Coalition to Bring Jiang to Justice” to ensure justice is served to the perpetrators in the court of conscience and the court of morality, as well as courts of law.

We in Malaysia are committed to the said pursuit by initiating this legal suit in seeking justice and truth.

Issued by
Yong Sang,
Chaiman
Falun Dafa Research Centre.

On behalf of the Plaintifs and all other Falun Gong practisioners in Malaysia.