Resolution on the ongoing persecution of Falun Gong in China, notably the case of Mr Ding Yuande

The European Parliament adopted a resolution on the ongoing persecution of Falun Gong in China, notably the case of Mr Ding Yuande.

The text adopted in plenary was tabled by the EPP, S&D, Renew, Greens/EFA, ECR groups and Members.

Since 1999, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has engaged in systematic persecution to eradicate the Falun Gong religious movement. It is documented that thousands of Falun Gong practitioners have died as a result of the CCP’s persecution since 1999. Practitioners are frequently detained and reportedly subjected to torture, psychological abuse and organ harvesting so that they renounce their faith.

On 12 May 2023, Falun Gong practitioners Mr Ding Yuande and his wife Ms Ma Ruimei were arrested without a warrant. Ms Ma was released on bail but was then intimidated by police because of a rescue campaign launched by their son abroad. Mr Ding was detained with no family visits for eight months and on 15 December 2023 he was sentenced to three years in prison with a CNY 15 000 fine. He appealed the judgment.

Parliament strongly urged the PRC to immediately end the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners and other minorities, including Uyghurs and Tibetans. It demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Mr Ding and all Falun Gong practitioners in China. China should also end domestic and transnational surveillance and control and the suppression of religious freedom.

The resolution called on the EU Member States to suspend extradition treaties with China.

The EU and its Member States are called on to:

- support and facilitate an international investigation into the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners and raise the persecution of religious minorities during all political and human rights dialogues with the Chinese authorities;

- publicly condemn organ transplant abuses in China and to use the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime and national human rights sanctions regimes against all perpetrators and entities that have contributed to the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China and abroad.

Lastly, Parliament stressed that EU measures should include refusing visas, freezing assets, expulsion from EU territories, criminal prosecution, including on the basis of extraterritorial jurisdiction, and bringing international criminal charges.