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

B90070/2024

Motion for a European Parliament resolution on the ongoing persecution of Falun Gong in China, notably the case of Mr Ding Yuande

(2024/2504(RSP))

The European Parliament,

having regard to its previous resolutions on the PRC,

having regard to Rule 144 of its Rules of Procedure,

Whereas Article 36 of PRC's constitution guarantees freedom of religious belief; whereas PRC keeps violating the right to freedom of religion and intensifying the restrictions affecting the religious communities resulting in an overall and deeply worrying increase of religious persecution notably against Uyghurs, Tibetan people and Falun Gong practitioners; whereas technology-based censorship and surveillance are central to religious repression in China;

Whereas the Chinese Communist Party has in vain attempted since 1999 to eradicate this spiritual group, with millions of people in PRC continuing to practice Falun Gong; Whereas Falun Gong practitioners are subject to widespread surveillance, extortion, arbitrary and labour detention, imprisonment and torture;

Whereas Ding Yuande was taken into custody on May 12 2023, based on his practice of Falun Gong, as part of a province-wide mass arrest of roughly 70 practitioners; whereas on December 15, 2023, Ding Yuande was fined and sentenced to three years in prison;

Strongly condemns the persistent persecution against all minorities in PRC including religious minorities such as the Falun Gong practitioners and the Uyghurs in clear breach of the PRC Constitution and the international Conventions; denounces the Chinese Communist Party’s nationwide campaign since 1999 to eliminate Falun Gong; calls for the end of the surveillance and the deployment of technology to suppress religious freedom inside and outside the country;

Calls for the immediate release of Mr Ding Yuande and all Falun Gong practitioners detained in jails on unfounded and unspurred charges;

Reiterates its grave concerns about the reports of inhumane and statesanctioned organ harvesting from prisoners in the PRC, and, more specifically, from Falun Gong practitioners as well as other minorities;