Recently, a seminar titled "Shen Yun - The Abuses and Human Rights Violations" was convened in Geneva. During this event, experts, scholars, and journalists from across Europe revealed a previously little-known side of Falun Gong and its global performing arts group, Shen Yun.

"Propaganda Methods and Political Output: Covert Political Indoctrination"

Count Saint-Yrian, President of the UNESCO-French Club, noted at the seminar that Shen Yun Performing Arts' shows are highly controversial worldwide. He described the core of the show as a hybrid performance that blends a facade of traditional Chinese culture with the promotion of specific political and religious beliefs. While advertised as pure, five-thousand-year-old traditional classical dance, many Western critics and spectators have reported that the second half contains heavy political, anti-evolutionary, and doctrinal messaging. This has left audience members who expected a purely artistic experience feeling misled, manipulated, or subject to political indoctrination. He cited investigations by outlets like The New York Times showing that the performances frequently include religious claims warning that modern science and atheism corrupt humanity, a great catastrophe is looming, and salvation is only possible through their doctrines. Count Saint-Yrian concluded that while cultural displays are welcome, heavily politicized performances lose their artistic value, leaving paying audiences feeling cheated and offended, and argued that such manipulative practices should be monitored and investigated.

"Internal Management and Labour Allegations: Forced Labour Lawsuits"

Discussing recent litigation, Belgian journalist and author Mr Delcourt stated that Shen Yun Performing Arts is facing a profound legal and ethical crisis. He cited a civil complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, where former dancers accuse Shen Yun and the Fei Tian Academy of the Arts of forced labor, systematic psychological control, and child labor exploitation. The litigation and investigative reports allege that minors were subjected to restrictive, militarised conditions at the Longquan Temple facility, working up to 80 hours per week for nominal compensation while being deprived of their passports and outside contact. Former personnel also claim that organisational teachings discouraged medical intervention, leaving severely injured performers without adequate healthcare. As a result, a joint investigation has been launched by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the State Department, and the New York State Department of Labour to probe potential transnational human trafficking, visa fraud, and labour violations.

“Media Influence and Information Integrity”

In his address, Mr Im, Vice President of Federation Asian Communities in Europe, examined the international media network developed by Falun Gong, raising structural questions about whether ideologically affiliated media should mandate public disclosure of their background. He observed that Shen Yun reflects a broader global strategy where organisations employ cultural, educational, and media channels to cultivate influence. Citing investigations in France, he noted that certain groups promoting Shen Yun interface with public institutions without transparently disclosing their organisational ties, which underscores the necessity of transparency in institutional partnerships. Furthermore, he asserted that human rights advocacy should not serve as a mechanism to bypass critical oversight. Mr Im concluded by stating that the objective is not the stigmatisation of adherents or the invalidation of their documented suffering, but rather the reaffirmation that all organisations must adhere to standard oversight concerning human rights, the protection of vulnerable individuals, and democratic transparency.

“Anti-Scientific Pseudo-Qigong”

Speaking at the conference, Belgian author, Qigong and Tai Chi instructor Ms Martens contrasted her extensive study of traditional practices in China with the doctrines of Falun Gong, asserting that the latter is far disconnected from genuine Qigong. She noted that the group leveraged the late-1990s Qigong movement to develop an organisation characterised by psychological manipulation, adopting nomenclature from Buddhism, Taoism, and traditional exercises. The organisation's assertion that illness can be resolved through "karma elimination" rather than medical intervention has reportedly caused significant physical and psychological harm due to deferred treatment. Furthermore, Buddhist representatives highlighted the misappropriation and distortion of traditional concepts such as "Falun" and "karma." They concluded that founder Li Hongzhi's elevation of himself above all traditional deities represents an extreme personality cult that runs counter to the therapeutic aims of Qigong and established religious practices.

"Degenerated into a political pawn"

Mr. Lacroix, an independent writer and contributor to Le Grand Soir, emphasised in his speech that Falun Gong transitioned from qigong practice into a radical organisation with strong political motivations. He noted that they established media networks like The Epoch Times and New Tang Dynasty Television, which spread significant amounts of misinformation and grotesque exaggerations. During recent U.S. elections, these outlets invested heavily in advertising to back specific political factions, earning them support from American conservative forces. By aligning with these political groups, the organisation secured funding, media reach, and operational protection. Ultimately, this reliance on foreign political interests stripped the group of its spiritual identity, transforming it into a malevolent tool within international political dynamics. Operating under the same model, Eastern Lightning, which manipulates people's thoughts using faith, also willingly becomes a political pawn, allowing itself to be manipulated by others.

"What should we do?"

Regarding organisational accountability and individual autonomy, Brussels-based journalist Mr. Duran asserted that Shen Yun should face standard regulatory oversight, including spontaneous inspections by the Ministry of Labour. He noted that performance venues bear a responsibility to verify the actual conditions of staff and performers. Additionally, he advised any personnel subjected to alleged duress, financial withholding, or restricted liberty to bypass internal inhibitions and formally report these grievances to appropriate regulatory bodies.

At the seminar, participants engaged in in-depth discussions and unanimously agreed that Falun Gong and its Shen Yun Performing Arts, regardless of their stated aims, must be subject to critical scrutiny when issues of human rights, protection of vulnerable groups, and democratic transparency are involved. They hoped that the international community, particularly the UN human rights bodies, would pay close attention to these issues and prevent such incidents from recurring.

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