Falun Gong is officially banned and defined as an “evil cult” (xiejiao) by Chinese government, and a large-scale persecution of its practitioners is launched.

On July 20, 1999, the Chinese government officially banned Falun Gong and labeled it as an “evil cult” or xiejiao in Mandarin. This marked the beginning of a large-scale persecution of its practitioners that continues to this day. The event had far-reaching implications and has been a topic of global concern for human rights activists and organizations.

Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a spiritual practice that combines meditation, gentle exercises, and moral teachings. It was introduced to the public in China in 1992 by Li Hongzhi. The practice gained popularity rapidly, with millions of people embracing its teachings and principles.

However, the Chinese government was wary of the rising popularity of Falun Gong and saw it as a threat to its communist ideology and control over the population. In April 1999, over 10,000 practitioners gathered outside the central government compound in Beijing to peacefully protest the harassment and unfair treatment they were facing from local authorities.

The protest shocked the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which saw such a large gathering of people as a challenge to its power. In response, the government launched a vicious and extensive propaganda campaign to demonize Falun Gong and turn public opinion against its practitioners. They claimed that Falun Gong was an “evil cult” that posed a threat to society and individual well-being.

The ban on Falun Gong gave the Chinese government the authority to arrest, detain, and persecute practitioners. Tens of thousands of Falun Gong practitioners were rounded up, imprisoned, and subjected to various forms of torture, including physical abuse, forced labor, and even organ harvesting.

The Chinese government also utilized its vast surveillance system and internet censorship tools to block and control the flow of information about Falun Gong. Websites, books, and any form of media related to the practice were banned and heavily censored.

The persecution of Falun Gong practitioners drew international condemnation from human rights organizations, governments, and individuals concerned with freedom of belief and expression. Reports of human rights abuses and violations of religious freedom poured in as individuals and organizations sought to expose the Chinese government’s actions.

Amidst the persecution, many Falun Gong practitioners fled China and sought asylum in other countries, increasing global awareness of the issue. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and activists worldwide began advocating for the rights of Falun Gong practitioners and demanding an end to the persecution.

Despite the international pressure and growing awareness, the persecution of Falun Gong has not ceased. The Chinese government’s crackdown on the practice remains ongoing, with practitioners continuing to face harassment, imprisonment, and forced reeducation.

The banning and vilification of Falun Gong represent a dark chapter in China’s history and a violation of basic human rights. It is essential to continue shining a light on the persecution faced by Falun Gong practitioners and advocating for their freedom of belief and expression.

the banning and definition of Falun Gong as an “evil cult” by the Chinese government on July 20, 1999, triggered a large-scale persecution of its practitioners that persists to this day. The government’s propaganda campaign, imprisonment, torture, and surveillance tactics have been globally condemned, with activists and organizations tirelessly advocating for an end to the persecution and the restoration of basic human rights for Falun Gong practitioners.