Falun Gong in China: The Persecution and the Response
Falun Gong, also called Falun Dafa, is a peaceful meditation practice based on Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance. Since July 1999, practitioners in China have been persecuted by the Chinese Communist Party. This page gives a short, sourced overview, what the U.S. Congress has done, and how you can help.
What Is the Persecution of Falun Gong?
On July 20, 1999, the Chinese Communist Party began a nationwide campaign to stop people from practicing Falun Gong. Human rights groups, U.S. government reports, and independent researchers have documented it since then.
What they describe:
- Detention. Researchers estimate that hundreds of thousands of practitioners have been held in labor camps, prisons, and other facilities. Freedom House · Statistics
- Pressure to give up their beliefs, including abuse in custody. Freedom House
- Forced organ harvesting. In 2019 an independent tribunal in London found that it has taken place in China, with Falun Gong practitioners among the victims. China Tribunal
- Censorship. Information about Falun Gong is blocked on China’s internet. Freedom House
A Short Timeline
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1999
The ban. In July, the Chinese Communist Party bans Falun Gong. Government sources had estimated that at least 70 million people practiced it. Freedom House
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2000s
Speaking up. Blocked from China’s state media, practitioners abroad start independent media and tools to get around internet censorship.
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2006
First investigations. Independent researchers publish the first reports on forced organ harvesting from prisoners of conscience. Documentation
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2019
The China Tribunal. An independent tribunal in London, chaired by Sir Geoffrey Nice KC, concludes that forced organ harvesting from prisoners of conscience has taken place in China. Judgment
- 2025
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2026
The Senate acts. On September 28 the Senate passes S. 4009 by unanimous consent. S. 4009
Does It Reach Outside China?
Yes. “Transnational repression” is when a government harasses or threatens people outside its own borders. The CECC’s 2025 report describes such pressure on Falun Gong practitioners abroad, including threats against performances by Shen Yun, a dance company founded by practitioners. CECC 2025 report
In the United States, the FBI asks people to report it. FBI: transnational repression
What Has the U.S. Congress Done?
Several bills have passed the House of Representatives with strong support from both parties. The Senate has now passed one of its own, S. 4009. None has become law yet: the House and Senate must agree on one text, and the President must sign it. As of September 30, 2026:
S. 4009: Falun Gong and Victims of Forced Organ Harvesting Protection Act
Introduced in the Senate in March 2026. It would require sanctions, such as frozen assets and visa bans, on people who take part in forced organ harvesting in China. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved it in June 2026, and the full Senate passed it, with the committee’s amendment, by unanimous consent on September 28, 2026. It now goes to the House. Bill record
H.R. 1540: Falun Gong Protection Act
Passed the House by voice vote on May 5, 2025, with no objection. It states U.S. policy to highlight China’s persecution of Falun Gong and would require sanctions on people involved in forced organ harvesting. It is now with the Senate, which passed its own bill, S. 4009, on September 28, 2026. Bill record
H.R. 1503: Stop Forced Organ Harvesting Act of 2025
Passed the House 406–1 on May 7, 2025, and is now with the Senate. An earlier version, H.R. 1154, passed the House 413–2 in March 2023 but did not become law. Bill record · 2023 version
CECC 2025 Annual Report
The Congressional-Executive Commission on China released its annual report on December 10, 2025. It describes the continued persecution of Falun Gong in China, and pressure on practitioners abroad, including threats against Shen Yun performances. Read the report
In the U.S.?
Ask Your Representative to Pass S. 4009
S. 4009 has passed the Senate. It now needs the House. A short, polite note to your U.S. Representative asking them to pass it takes two minutes.
Common Questions
Why is Falun Gong persecuted in China?
In July 1999 the Chinese Communist Party banned Falun Gong and began a campaign against it. Human rights researchers such as Freedom House link the ban to the practice’s size and independence from the Party.
Has the U.S. passed a law about it?
Not yet. The House passed the Falun Gong Protection Act (H.R. 1540) and the Stop Forced Organ Harvesting Act (H.R. 1503) in May 2025. A related Senate bill, S. 4009, passed the Senate on September 28, 2026 and now needs action in the House.
What is transnational repression?
It is when a government harasses or threatens people outside its own borders to silence them. The FBI takes reports of it.
How can I help?
Learn the facts from the sources on this page, and ask your U.S. Representative to pass S. 4009.
Sources and Further Reading
S. 4009 Bill Text
The bill as passed by the Senate.
Independent Documentation
Reports, statements and judgments from governments, courts and rights groups.
Pressure on Shen Yun
Research on the campaign against Shen Yun Performing Arts.
This page is shared by Falun Dafa in Arizona, a volunteer community. Curious about the practice itself? Join a free live webinar.