(Minghui.org) The Irish Government recently passed a very significant piece of legislation that will move it further along the road of Ireland being able to Ratify the Council of Europe Convention Against Trafficking in Human Organs. When it comes to human organs, public display or transplantations, in essence consent is necessary at each step of the way. (https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2024/act/5/enacted/en/html)
If the Real Bodies Exhibition comes to your city or country there are many things that can be done to ascertain it’s legal standing.
These things can be done at both the government and city levels. The recommended process is to write to the Minister for Justice in your country and submit a series of questions to ascertain if the Exhibition is in compliance with all national and municipal laws and regulations.
The Minister for Justice may not have all or any answers to your questions, as it may not be their immediate area of responsibility. In that case the Minister may recommend you write to one of their colleagues in the government, possibly your Minister for Health.
By asking questions, you are not making accusations, nor making any claims. You are raising awareness of the many factors involved.
I suggest that when writing or meeting with government officials always ask questions with kindness and respect. Never tell them how to do their job. We want to save them, not put them on the defensive.
These are some of the questions of public interest you can send to your relevant government and city officials to ask for clarification of the legal status of the Real Bodies Exhibition. The official you contact may not reply to you. Nevertheless they may have an obligation to refer your questions for answers.
Sending your correspondence by registered post may raise it’s priority.
The following are some of, but not limited to, the suggested questions you can forward for clarification. Different countries and cities may have different requirements for governmental departments and hosting entities.
Suggested questions to governmental level officials:
How many individual human remains constitute the Real Bodies Exhibition?What are their names?Do you have Birth Certificates for each of them?Where were they born?What were their last nationalities?What country do they come from?Do you have Death Certificates for each body or body part?How did they die?Where did they die?Does your Office or other Government Office have a Death Certificate for them?Do you have certified copies of their Last Will?Have Officials in your Department or Government carried out tests on the bodies for any contagious disease?Have they given consent for their bodies to leave their country?Have they given consent for their bodies to be flayed?Have they given consent for their bodies to be displayed in public?Do you have the names and addresses of their families and, or the Executor of their Estate?Does their Estate benefit from the profits of the exhibition?Is there a Release Certificate required from the relevant authorities of their country of origin to leave?
Suggested Questions for Your City Council Regulations
I refer you to the Real Bodies Exhibition being held in X City, venue. In the public interest I write to inquire if the Real Bodies Exhibition is in compliance with all X City Laws, Regulations and By-laws.
Is a Fire Permit required for the exhibition?If yes, has a Fire Permit been issued?Is Public Liability Insurance required for the exhibition?If yes, has such Insurance been taken out?Is a Health and Safety Permit required?If yes, has a Health and Safety Permit been issued?
Many believe that displaying corpses violates the dignity of the deceased, especially when explicit consent is not obtained or the body’s origin is not fully disclosed. Some bodies may be from executed prisoners or missing persons in China, and whether these prisoners consented to their use for display poses a further ethical dilemma. Although exhibitors typically state that all bodies were obtained legally, this can still raise concerns among viewers.
Some criticize these exhibitions for “commodifying” corpses and treating their remains as objects for entertainment. This is particularly true when the exhibitions feature content that is perceived as “entertaining” or “horrifying,” which can further provoke moral objections.
In ancient times, the placement of the deceased’s body, belongings, and remains was sacred. Any inappropriate behavior could be seen as disrespectful to the deceased and even believed to bring misfortune and disaster. Therefore, the saying “the dead are respected” reminds people to avoid disturbing the deceased’s peace or violating social funeral norms.
In Chinese ethics, “burial is for peace” and “the dead are respected” are often used together. Why? First, after death, the yang energy dissipates, and burial should be carried out as soon as possible so that the deceased can rest in peace. Respecting the well-being of the deceased in matters related to the deceased demonstrates reverence for both death and life, and shows the distinction between the dead and the living. By respecting the dead, the living demonstrate an understanding of life and the order of the universe. The soil is more than just a place for burial; it is also the resting place of the dead. The burial of the deceased also means that the spirits of ancestors will continue to be connected to future generations through the land.