(Minghui.org) Over 50 Falun Gong practitioners in New Zealand filed criminal complaints against Jiang Zemin, former head of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), who initiated the persecution of Falun Gong in China on July 20, 1999.
They joined over 100,000 people to sue Jiang Zemin since the end of May 2015. They urge the Supreme People's Procuratorate and the Supreme People's Court to bring Jiang to justice for his abuses of power in orchestrating the persecution of Falun Gong in China.
The complaints charge Jiang with unlawful imprisonment, depriving citizens of their constitutional right to freedom of belief, abuse of power, and many other crimes. Jiang created the 610 Office, giving it the power to override the police and judicial system to carry out his directive.
Over the past 16 years, more than 3,800 Falun Gong practitioners have been confirmed tortured to death. The actual toll is likely higher, because such information is tightly censored in China.
Practitioners rally in front of the Parliament building in Wellington, New Zealand to bring attention to the persecution of Falun Gong in China. Those who filed criminal complaints against Jiang hold copies of their complaints in hands.
Plaintiff Xiaojun Chen speaks at the rally.
Practitioner Guohua Huang narrated how his wife Luo Zhixiang was tortured to death, and how he was also tortured, for their refusing to renounce their belief in Falun Gong at the demands of Chinese communist authorities.
Huang said, “Suing Jiang Zemin is also delivering a warning message to those who still conducting the persecution. They must stop their involvement in the persecution.”
Practitioner Xiaojun Chen was sentenced to prison in China for 7 years for practicing Falun Gong. He was the first in New Zealand to file charges against Jiang. He said, “Chinese people are misled by the Communist Party's propaganda demonizing Falun Gong. The CCP instigated many people to participate in the persecution. As a result, they commit wrongdoing.”
“I have mailed copies of my complaint to those who were involved in persecuting me. I wish they stop their wrongdoing. The lawsuit against Jiang provides them an opportunity to awaken and repent.”
Hanwen Zhang's family of four, who have all filed criminal complaints against Jiang.
Practitioner Hanwen Zhang's family of four suffered brutal persecution in China for their belief. They were arrested, beaten, held in brainwashing centers, and forced to stay away from home to avoid further arrests. They were reunited in New Zealand two year ago.
Zhang said, “Suing Jiang is also to let the public know about the persecution.”
