UK Security Minister Condemns Assault on Falun Gong Practitioner Outside British Museum, Reiterates Zero Tolerance for Transnational Repression

Britain’s Security Minister, Dan Jarvis, has strongly condemned the violent assault of a Falun Gong practitioner outside the British Museum and reaffirmed that the UK “will never tolerate” transnational repression or intimidation targeting individuals on British soil.

In a letter dated April 15 to David Alton, Jarvis expressed sympathy to Falun Gong practitioner Ms. Zhang Chunping and stressed that all communities in the UK are entitled to practice their beliefs peacefully and without fear.

“Any attempt to intimidate, harass, or harm people on UK soil is wholly unacceptable and will never be tolerated,” Jarvis wrote. “Falun Gong practitioners, like all communities in the UK, are entitled to practise their beliefs peacefully and without fear.”

The minister’s remarks came in response to concerns raised by Dr. Wei Liu regarding the Feb. 23 assault on Ms. Zhang and broader intimidation faced by Falun Gong practitioners in Britain.

Assault under criminal investigation

The assault occurred at approximately 12:30 p.m. on Feb. 23 near the rear entrance of the British Museum in central London, where Falun Gong practitioners have long operated a lawful information site introducing the spiritual practice to visitors and countering propaganda spread by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

According to witnesses, Ms. Zhang was speaking with Chinese tourists when a confrontation began with a tour guide who objected to her presence.

A tour bus driver allegedly exited the vehicle, seized Ms. Zhang’s banner, and smashed her mobile phone. When Ms. Zhang attempted to call police and prevent the driver from leaving, he reportedly shoved her to the ground, causing injuries to her head.

Witnesses said the assailant then grabbed Ms. Zhang by the neck and punched her in the eye, knocking her down a second time before continuing to strike her while straddling her on the ground. After a bystander intervened and helped her up, the driver allegedly assaulted her again before returning to the bus.

As the bus departed, the driver reportedly kicked Ms. Zhang’s hand when she attempted to block the vehicle’s door. Witnesses recorded the incident and provided video footage and the bus license plate number to police.

The Metropolitan Police subsequently opened a criminal investigation into the assault.

Jarvis said it would be inappropriate to comment on the specifics of an active investigation but emphasized that such incidents are treated “extremely seriously” by British authorities.

UK addresses transnational repression

In his letter, Jarvis also addressed broader concerns about transnational repression (TNR)—the practice of foreign governments targeting dissidents, activists, religious believers, or diaspora communities abroad through harassment, surveillance, intimidation, or violence.

“The Government takes the protection of individuals’ rights, freedoms, and safety very seriously,” he wrote. “Any foreign state-directed crime against an individual in the UK will never be tolerated.”

Jarvis outlined several measures the British government has adopted following a review conducted by the UK’s Defending Democracy Taskforce, including implementation of the National Security Act 2023 to counter state-linked threats, specialized TNR training across all 45 territorial police forces, and the creation of a dedicated TNR coordination team within the Home Office.

The British government has also recently updated and expanded its public guidance on transnational repression through the Home Office website, providing practical advice for individuals who believe they may be targets of foreign state-linked intimidation or harassment.

The guidance describes transnational repression as crimes directed by foreign states against individuals in the UK, including harassment, surveillance, online disinformation campaigns, stalking, physical violence, and threats. It emphasizes that “attempts by foreign states to harm or intimidate individuals in the UK will not be tolerated.”

The updated guidance also encourages victims to report incidents to police and outlines personal and cybersecurity measures for individuals who may face heightened risks, including activists, dissidents, and religious believers targeted by foreign governments.

The publication of the updated guidance comes amid growing scrutiny in Britain over alleged foreign-linked intimidation targeting diaspora and faith communities, including Falun Gong practitioners.

UK lawmakers’ voices

Following the incident, the UK Falun Dafa Association also received letters from Members of Parliament Feryal Clark, Preet Kaur Gill, Jo Platt, Patricia Ferguson, Cameron Thomas, and Mark Pritchard, expressing concern over the assault on the Falun Gong practitioner and reiterating that any attempt by a foreign government to harass, intimidate, or harm individuals or groups within the United Kingdom is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

Feryal Clark, responding to constituents’ concerns, said:

Many voters were deeply troubled by reports of restrictions on freedom of religion and belief in China, including the treatment of Falun Gong practitioners.

Clark additionally emphasized concerns over the safety of individuals in Britain who may face coercion or harassment linked to foreign governments, noting that the Home Office considers such activity a threat to national security that “will not be tolerated.”

Preet Kaur Gill similarly said she was “deeply concerned” by the Feb. 23 assault outside the British Museum and noted that multiple parliamentary questions had recently been raised concerning Falun Gong and Shen Yun.

Gill referenced a March 6 government response stating that Britain is committed to protecting freedom of religion or belief, including the rights of Falun Gong practitioners and Shen Yun Performing Arts. The response further stated that the government possesses “a broad suite of powers” to counter foreign interference, including activities that may constitute transnational repression.

Jo Platt also stressed that the UK government recognizes freedom of religion or belief as a fundamental right and reiterated that any attempt by foreign powers to intimidate or harass individuals on British soil is regarded as a threat to national security and sovereignty.

Meanwhile, Patricia Ferguson described the Chinese Communist Party’s treatment of Uyghur Muslims, Christians, Buddhists, and Falun Gong practitioners as “deeply concerning” and said such issues “must be treated with the utmost seriousness.”

Ferguson also pointed to a new British government training initiative announced in March 2025 aimed at improving frontline police awareness and responses to threats linked to foreign state actors.

Separately, the office of Cameron Thomas said both the MP and the Liberal Democrats were increasingly concerned about what they described as the Chinese Communist Party’s growing assertiveness both within the UK and internationally.

The office stated that Thomas “fully recognizes the threat China poses to our democracy at home and abroad” and would continue urging the government to defend British freedoms and national interests.