China trying to block new film exposing state-sponsored organ trafficking

State Organs is a recently released Canadian documentary. The film exposes China’s sickening state-sanctioned forced organ harvesting through the story of two families searching for their missing loved ones. But The Epoch Times reports that operatives in China have been making threats to journalists, theatres, law enforcement and lawmakers aiming to stop the film from seeing the light of day.  

Forced organ harvesting “hits a sore spot” for China 

Falun Gong practitioners have been targeted by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) for the last 25 years. Those refusing to give up the practice are subjected to arbitrary arrests, long imprisonment and mental and physical torture. Forced organ harvesting is one of those torture methods. State Organs aims to draw attention to this form of trafficking, hoping to force the CCP to stop. However, forced organ harvesting and Falun Gong are both terms on the long list of censored topics in China.

The film’s Director, Raymond Zhang said: 

“(China) is afraid to let the world know about this genocidal crime, and it’s been doing all it can to cover up this crime over the past 25 years.” 

According to the U.N., the global shortage of organs available for ethical transplant procedures has led to a rise in illegal organ harvesting and sales. Despite more than 150,000 transplants being performed worldwide each year, only 10 percent of the global demand is currently being met. In many cases, though victims may have “consented”, that consent is invalid when deception, fraud or abuse of a position of vulnerability is involved. That makes it human trafficking. For Falun Gong practitioners subjected to organ harvesting while in jail, those conditions have certainly been met.  

“You better think before you act” 

Evidence points to ongoing monitoring and censoring of discussions and information about forced organ harvesting by the CCP. And harassment by CCP operatives around this issue has also been going on for years. Over the last 25 years Chinese diplomats have used various channels to pressure U.S. lawmakers and get them to recant their stance against China’s forced organ harvesting. Now the CCP is focusing its harassment on those showing or supporting the distribution of the new documentary.  

The leader of a group of democracy activists, who staged a protest in suport of the film on the Hollywood Walk of Fame said:  

“Except for the CCP, no other regime in this world will make it a business to kill people for their organs,”  

Since the release, threats of mass shootings, bombs and hacking have been made about one every two days. One email shared with The Epoch Times said “You better think before you act”. Thankfully so far all have been empty threats. But the scare tactics have had some success. Some browbeaten distributors and theaters have pulled their support and canceled screenings. However, the film is considered a 2025 Oscar contender for best documentary feature. And Zhang remains undeterred stating the film is meant to make people think, and hopefully, act. 

Zhang shared: 

 “After WWII, people said, ‘never again’, but it’s now happening. We now have an opportunity to change history in action.” 

Freedom United stands with those decrying forced organ harvesting of anyone anywhere. No matter your religion, social status, or nationality forced organ harvesting is a fundamental human rights violation. Take action to end forced organ harvesting here.