By PAUL ENEVER
IMAGINE being imprisoned, tortured or even killed for practising meditation
and exercise.
That is what a team of Falun Gong practitioners were speaking out against when
gathering petition signatures in Wagga yesterday.
Falon Gong is an ancient practice of meditation and exercise that originated
in China and is currently banned by the country’s communist government.
Practitioner Kelly Zhan said her group was circulating a petition against the
Chinese persecution in preparation for this year’s United Nations Commission
on Human Rights.
“This year Australia is the elected chair of the United Nations Commission
on Human Rights and will be setting the agenda,” Miss Zhan said.
“We’d like the Australian government to raise a resolution at the
UN condemning China’s persecution of Falon Gong and this petition is addressed
to members of the House of Representatives.”
Miss Zhan claimed the Chinese government had persecuted followers of Falun
Gong since the communists banned the practice in 1999.
“Since that time, the regime has intensified its propaganda campaign to
turn public opinion against the practice while imprisoning, torturing and even
murdering those who practise it,” Miss Zhan said.
“We’re trying to raise awareness of the persecution happening in China.
“We’re not against the government but we are against the persecution
– it shouldn’t be happening.”
Miss Zhan said the government initially supported Falun Gong because of its
health benefits but when they found out that up to 80 million citizens practised
it, China’s leaders saw a political threat and banned the practice.
After visiting Wagga and Albury yesterday, Miss Zhan said anyone who wanted
to help could sign an online petition at www.falunau.org by following the petition
link.
Posting date: 18/Mar/2004
Original article date: 17/Mar/2004
Category: Media Report
