62 Cases of Falun Gong Practitioners Killed from Torture, Abuse Reported in April and May 2004
Mounting Death Toll Estimated to be Several Thousands
(6/9/2004  14:48)


62-year-old Ms. Zhao Xiaoping was detained and tortured during interrogation. She died three days later from internal bleeding in her liver, spleen, and stomach.
NEW YORK (FDI) – The policy of China’s former leader to “eradicate Falun Gong” (about) continues to increase the number of deaths by torture in China, as 62 more cases were reported in April and May, 2004.

The 41 cases reported in April mark one of the highest tolls reported during the five-year campaign of violence and indoctrination against Falun Gong.

Those killed ranged in age from 23 to 82 years old.

China’s northeast region remains the deadliest with Heilongjiang, Liaoning and Shandong Provinces reporting the highest death tolls among the provinces.

The total number of verified deaths by the end of May was 968, but the actual death toll is estimated to be several thousands. (reports / sources)

Model Citizens Killed for Their Beliefs

Reflecting Falun Gong’s teachings for ethical living, many of those killed were said to be outstanding members of their community.

Forty-seven-year-old Mr. Wang Hengyou was known for his exceptional performance at work. Friends and co-workers called him “Honest Abe,” and say he once found a gold ring, and even though his family was very poor, Wang placed an add in a local paper at his own expense in order to return the ring.

Because he practiced Falun Gong, however, Wang was arrested by police.

According to witnesses, Policeman Dong Jie and Yu He beat him on the head with broom handles, repeatedly slammed his head into a concrete wall and – after Wang lost consciousness – continued to kick his lower body and genitals.

Wang later died of internal injuries.

The names of those whose deaths were reported in April or May include: Pan Jianjun,, Liu Wenyu, Peng Chunrong,Wang Hengyou, Zhao Liuchun, Yang Yongshou, Wang Guiju, Zhong Yanzhong, Zhang Haiyan, Hunag Lizhi, Hunag Jingping, Yang Lingyun, Huang Zhao, Li Qinzhou, Wang Shouqi, Wang Dayuan, Wang Zhencheng, Li Yinglin, Pei Cuirong, Wang Dongmei, Yang Junping, Du Yueqing, Cao Yuqiang, Shen Guoyan, Zhang Keyan, Zhu Meijuan, Wang Zhande, Ma Zhongxing, Huang Yulan, Chen Qing, Yang Xiuqin, Meng Jixiang, Liu Yupu, Wang Guoyue, He Xiuling, Gao Shuqin, Li Chuanwen, Yao Yaoyuan, Wang Guofang, Pei Xiuyuan, Li Chunrong, Zhang Yuzhen, Zheng Fuxiang, Wei Xinhua, Zhang Caihou, Wang Jingrong, Zhou Yong, Yang Meiying, Wang Xiuyuan, Sun Lancheng, Yu Fenghua, Xin Jingwen, Tang Yun, Zhou Zebi, Gao Jingling, Han Zhenju, Yan Liyou, Fu Meihui, Tian Lifu and Zhou Yuqin.

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NEWS - June 09, 2004
Falun Dafa Information Center, www.faluninfo.net


Background

Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa (about), is a practice of meditation and exercises with teachings based on the universal principle of "Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance." Practiced in over 50 countries world-wide, Falun Gong has roots in traditional Chinese culture. With government estimates of as many as 100 million practicing Falun Gong, China's Communist leader Jiang Zemin outlawed the peaceful practice in July 1999 (report). Since that time, Jiang's regime has intensified its propaganda campaign to turn public opinion against the practice while imprisoning, torturing and even murdering those who practice it. The Falun Dafa Information Center has verified details of 980 deaths (reports / sources) since the persecution of Falun Gong in China began in 1999. In October 2001, however, Government officials inside China reported that the actual death toll was well over 1,600. Expert sources now estimate that figure to be much higher. Hundreds of thousands have been detained, with more than 100,000 being sentenced to forced labor camps, typically without trial.



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