The European Union (EU) has expressed its concerns about the human rights situation in China and called for the immediate and unconditional release of 39 Chinese citizens who are being persecuted by the communist regime. The EU delegation presented a statement during the 54th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, urging China to respect and protect human rights for all. The statement highlighted the continued violations against Uyghurs, Tibetans, and ethnic, religious, and linguistic minorities. It also emphasized the harassment and intimidation faced by human rights defenders, journalists, and intellectuals, as well as the repressive use of the National Security Law and Sedition Law in Hong Kong.
One of the individuals listed in the statement is Xu Na, a Falun Gong adherent who is currently detained by Chinese authorities due to her faith. Falun Gong is a spiritual discipline practiced by millions in China. Since the Chinese regime initiated a persecution campaign against Falun Gong in 1999, millions have been detained, tortured, and subjected to forced labor. Xu Na and her husband, Yu Zhou, who was also a Falun Gong practitioner, were arrested multiple times, and tragically, Yu Zhou died due to torture in 2008.
In July 2020, Xu Na and ten other Falun Gong adherents were detained for providing information to The Epoch Times during the early COVID-19 outbreak. After more than a year in a local detention center, Xu Na received an eight-year prison sentence in January 2022. Article 300 of China’s Criminal Law, which the CCP uses to persecute members of spiritual groups, including Falun Gong, has been criticized for violating the Chinese Constitution and lacking clarity and specificity.
The EU statement also highlighted concerns about the ongoing persecution of Falun Gong and called for the release of Xu Na and other persecuted individuals. The EU’s stance on human rights in China aligns with international calls for the Chinese regime to respect fundamental freedoms, uphold the rule of law, and end its oppressive practices.