During International Human Rights Day on 10 December, Falun Gong practitioners in Sydney will hold a press conference outside the Supreme Court of NSW to highlight several lawsuits brought by victims of torture against high-ranking Chinese officials for the persecution of Falun Gong in China.

The victims call on the Chinese Communist regime to immediately and unconditionally end the persecution of Falun Gong and release all Falun Gong prisoners of conscience. Australian artist Ms Zhang Cuiying is suing the former Chinese Communist dictator Jiang Zemin and another three victims of torture are suing former Chinese Minister of Public Security Zhou Yongkang for their responsibility in the persecution.

In November 2009, an unprecedented decision was made by a Spanish judge to indict five high-ranking Chinese Communist Party officials for their role in crimes of torture and genocide committed against Falun Gong practitioners, including Jiang Zemin, widely acknowledged as the chief instigator of the campaign to "eradicate" the spiritual practice.

Spanish National Court Judge Ismael Moreno said that the court had granted a petition to indict the defendants on charges of torture and genocide and sent letter of request to the five defendants in China. The defendants have 4-6 weeks to reply and could subsequently face extradition if they travel to a country that has an extradition treaty with Spain.

The plaintiffs in cases before the Supreme Court of NSW feel very encouraged by this historic decision and appeal to the court and Australian government to take similar steps under the legal principle of universal jurisdiction. To help bring Jiang and other human rights criminals in the persecution of Falun Gong to justice would also enable Australia to become a defender of human rights and universal justice.

Media events:
Thursday 10 Dec, 11am Press conference outside the Supreme Court of NSW
Thursday 10 Dec, 5:30-7pm Candlelight vigil peaceful appeal, George St, Town Hall