China and "Falun Gong"

Publication Date: July 2003

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s):

Research Area: Politics

Type:

Coverage: China

Abstract:

The "Falun Gong" movement led to the largest and most protracted public demonstrations in China since the democracy movement of 1989. The People's Republic of China (PRC) government, fearful of a political challenge and the spread of social unrest, outlawed the movement in July 1999. Despite a massive government campaign against them and harsh punishments meted out to many followers, Falun Gong adherents continued to stage demonstrations for over two years. In 2002, Falun Gong practitioners interrupted television programming in several cities and broadcast their own videos. On July 24, 2002, the House of Representatives unanimously agreed to H.Con.Res.188, which calls upon the PRC government to cease persecution of Falun Gong practitioners. Issues for Congress include human rights conditions in China, detained U.S. residents and U.S. citizens in China, and alleged harassment of Falun Gong practitioners in the United States.