Reports of organs harvested from living prisoners across China are to be investigated by a delegation set up by a European NGO.

The newly formed European branch of the Coalition to Investigate the Persecution of Falun Gong (CIPFG) is applying for visas for a handful of experts to visit sites across China to investigate allegations of organ harvesting.

Doctors, lawyers, human rights campaigners and journalists from across Europe have joined the organisation to add their expertise to the inquiry.

"We hope that the formation of this kind of coalition will signal a new chapter in the struggle to uncover the truth about the crimes the Chinese government has perpetrated against Falun Gong practitioners over a period of nearly eight years," said the Vice Chairman of the Coalition John Dee.

"With the help of many devoted people in many walks of life, we intend to reveal to the world what has been taking place in China since 1999, and to ensure not only that the persecution is brought to an end, but also that the torture and murder should never happen again."

Falun Gong, a meditative exercise, was outlawed in 1999 by the ruling communist party in China after a survey found a 100 million people practicing. Hundreds of thousands have since been reported to be detained without trial 3000 killed from torture.

Last year Canadian MPs David Kilgour and David Mattas published their first investigation report, concluding the organs of living Falun Gong practitioners were forcibly harvested to be sold on in China's organ trade. Another report by MEP Edward McMillan-Scott added further weight to the allegations.

The CIPFG received letters of support from politicians, rights groups and professionals across Europe when it delivered its mandate at a press conference last week.

The Coalition hopes that by raising the profile of its campaign, it can apply the necessary pressure on the Chinese Embassy to grant Visas for the delegation.

Last year MEP Edward McMillan-Scott visited China to interview a number of Falun Gong practitioners who had been victims of the state "reform through labour" system.

A woman named Annie Yang recounted at the launch event how she had been tortured in a labour camp in Beijing for refusing to renounce her belief in Falun Gong. She described a "brain washing" process that consisted of long-term sleep deprivation, lack of food and water, and being constantly forced to watch anti-Falun Gong propaganda videos.

"Physical injury can be cured by medicine, but the injury to your soul can never be cured," Annie Yang said.

"This persecution must be stopped immediately."

The CIPFG currently operates in Asia, North America and Australia.