A CHINESE couple, accused by the government of faking a heart attack to stay
in Australia, will be deported to China where they could face persecution
because of their beliefs.
Wang Juntao, 66, and his wife, 62-year-old Wang Liluan, claim to have
escaped death in a Chinese detention centre two years ago for practising the
discipline of Falun Gong (also known as Falun Dafa).
Mr Wang says he was knocked unconscious from electric-shock torture by
Chinese prison guards after being locked up for being a Falun Gong
practitioner in 1999 while his brother-in-law was tortured to death.
The Wangs managed to escape from China and travelled to Australia two years
ago, where they joined their son, who is an Australian citizen.
After failing in their claims for refugee status, the elderly couple was to
be deported back to China on Tuesday.
A spokesman for Immigration Minister Philip Ruddock said once the pair
walked on to the plane at Sydney Airport, Mr Wang complained he was having a
heart attack while Mrs Wang collapsed.
“Once the captain on the plane said he wouldn’t take them, they walked off,”
he said.
“After having a heart attack he staged an amazing recovery and walked off
the plane unassisted.
“He had been fully medically examined prior to getting on the plane. He had
a clear bill of health to travel, and was put under observation after they
returned to the (Villawood immigration detention) centre and there’s no
indication that he was having a heart attack.”
The spokesman said the Immigration Department was making new arrangements
for the couple’s return to China but they would not be made public.
The couple’s son, Wang Zhou, said he had no idea of their timetable to
return home.
NSW Falun Gong association spokesman John Dellar said the Immigration
Department had insisted ordinary Falun Gong practitioners would not be
persecuted in China.
“But the couple had been persecuted before they came to Australia,” he said.
“Mr Wang was subject to electric shock torture.”
Shinly Shaw, a spokesperson for the Global Mission to Rescue Persecuted
Falun Gong Practitioners, said Cambodia was only country to deport Falun
Gong practitioners, a move condemned by the United Nations.
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,6125963%255
E1702,00.html
Posting date: 15/March/2003
Original article date: 14/March/2003
Category: Media Reports
