While China's human rights record should be examined, I would like to urge you to look into all the facts of the case regarding the organ harvesting allegation made by the religious sect Falun Gong, promoted by Mr. David Matas.
In my opinion Falun Gong's actions not only discredited their own cause, they also detracted from honest examination of China's problems. Falun Gong's indictment muddles the rational discussion of issues such as Chinese society's moral, ethical standards on dignity and treatment of the condemned.
It is in this spirit I would like to bring to your attention some contrarian facts surrounding Falun Gong's recent media activity:
- The US State Department's undercover investigation found Falun Gong's Sujiatun/Auschwitz allegation not credible. [1]
- A US Congressional brief critical of China questioned the veracity of Falun Gong's claim of genocide and credibility of Kilgour/Matas report. [2]
- An independent investigation by long-time Chinese dissident Harry Wu found Falun Gong's witness unverifiable. [3]
- The Ottawa Citizen published a report on the veracity of Falun Gong's organ harvesting allegation, and credibility of the Kilgour report. [4]
- The hospital Falun Gong accused is partly owned by a Malaysian health care company and subject to oversight beyond Chinese authority. Malay officials have documented prior year visits, and the facility has been open to the public for years. [5]
- The gory photo admitted as evidence by Mr. Kilgour is not evidence of vivisection.
A pathologist review of the photo of Mr. Wang Bin in the Kilgour report, Appendix 20 Case 1, contradicted Falun Gong's claim. [6] Even according to Falun Gong's own evidence, an autopsy was performed as part of Mr. Wang's murder investigation held by local authority. [7]
Another photo that is widely mis-used by Falun Gong is of Mr. Liu Yufeng, it, too, does not prove vivisection.
In reality these photos are medical in nature, and are not evidence of atrocity. For example Falun Gong used a photo of breast cancer to support their "sexual torture" allegation. This story ran for two years before a physician blogger noticed it. [8]
In conclusion, writing an allegory of 'Schindler's List' is not the way to examine China's human rights record. If we can not be precise with our accusation and only resort of nefarious indictment - why should anyone take the issue seriously?
Charles Liu
Seattle, WA
References:
1) http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english&y=2006&m=April&x=20060416141157uhyggep0.5443231&t=livefeeds/wf-latest.html
http://www.usembassy.it/pdf/other/RL33437.pdf (section CRS-7)
2) 'The Collateral of Suppression', a report written for Senator Dianne Feinstein, member of US Congressional Executive Commission on China (CECC), where congressional researchers Emma Ashburn and Thomas Lum were quoted.
3) http://www.zonaeuropa.com/20060806_1.htm
http://www.cicus.org/info_eng/artshow.asp?ID=6491
4) http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/observer/story.html?id=2c15d2f0-f0ab-4da9-991a-23e4094de949&p=3 (page 3, 4)
5) http://crc.gov.my/clinicalTrial/documents/Proposal/TCM_Stroke%20TrialProtocol%20synopsis.pdf (page 3)
6) Review by Dr. Friedlander of Kansas City University School of Medicine, Pathology Dept. The photo exhibited 'Y' incisions in the neck and baseball stitch sutures, which are typical of autopsy. The fact organ removal by medical examiner during autopsy is routine, is omitted.
7) http://clearwisdom.net/emh/articles/2000/11/16/6164.html