The Ban on Falun Gong: July 20, 1999

On July 20, 1999, the Chinese government officially banned Falun Gong, a spiritual practice that had gained significant popularity throughout China in the 1990s. This decision marked the beginning of a widespread and ongoing campaign of persecution against its practitioners.

Background

Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a spiritual discipline introduced to the public by Li Hongzhi in 1992. It combines meditation and qigong exercises with a moral philosophy centered on the principles of truthfulness, compassion, and forbearance. By the late 1990s, Falun Gong had attracted millions of followers in China, with estimates ranging from 2 to 70 million practitioners.

Events Leading to the Ban

The rapid growth of Falun Gong and its organizational capacity, demonstrated by a large-scale peaceful protest in April 1999 near the Zhongnanhai government compound in Beijing, alarmed the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The protest was in response to an article in a state-run magazine that criticized the practice. The gathering, which involved over 10,000 practitioners, was notable for its size and the discipline of its participants.

The Ban and Its Implementation

On July 20, 1999, the Chinese government declared Falun Gong an illegal organization, labeling it a “heretical cult” that threatened social stability. The government launched a comprehensive campaign to eradicate the practice, involving:

• Media Propaganda: State-controlled media were used to vilify Falun Gong, portraying it as a dangerous and subversive group.
• Arrests and Detentions: Thousands of practitioners were arrested, detained, and sent to labor camps without trial.
• Re-education Programs: The government implemented “re-education through labor” programs aimed at forcing practitioners to renounce their beliefs.
• Surveillance and Harassment: Practitioners were subjected to intense surveillance, harassment, and pressure to abandon their practice.

Consequences and International Response

The crackdown on Falun Gong has led to widespread reports of human rights abuses, including torture, forced labor, and deaths in custody. Human rights organizations and international bodies have condemned the persecution, calling for the release of detained practitioners and an end to the abuses.

The Chinese government’s actions against Falun Gong have had significant implications for religious freedom and human rights in China. The campaign is often cited as one of the most severe examples of religious persecution in recent history.

Broader Historical Significance

The ban on Falun Gong highlights the Chinese government’s approach to controlling religious and spiritual movements perceived as threats to its authority. It underscores the broader issues of religious freedom, human rights, and the limits of state power in China.

The ongoing persecution of Falun Gong practitioners continues to draw international attention and remains a contentious issue in China’s human rights record.