BRUSSELS – Former chinese president Jiang Zemin is to be cited for crimes against humanity under Belgium’s controversial new genocide law, it was revealed Thursday.
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The suit is being brought by two Belgian members of the Falun Gong movement which China has outlawed as an illegal sect since 1999; leading to the arrest and imprisonment of many of its supporters. Falun Gong members claim they are a non-political association promoting meditation and yoga as a basis for a healthy lifestyle. The suit claims that the actions of the Chinese authorities has also deprived the rights of Falun Gong members in Belgium. Suits filed under the so-called genocide law are now restricted to Belgian nationals, or residents based in the country for at least three years, after the law was heavily re-drafted earlier this year following strong pressure from the United States. Its original text gave Belgian courts the power to try cases of war crimes and crimes against humanity regardless of the complainant’s country of origin or where the alleged crimes were committed. |