 |
 |
| Fadu and her mother at NGO meeting of United Nations |
Ms. Beutler gives Fadu a Barbie doll |
In a quiet corner at the United Nations building in
Geneva where the annual Human Rights Commission meeting is taking place,
sunlight brightened the marble floor through the large window. Little Fadu, who
turned four years old on April 3rd, was excitedly watching a pretty
peacock just outside of the window. A few peacocks are raised in the garden of
the building, bringing some liveliness and relaxation to a place filled with
politics.
The peacock stood in front of Fadu and extended its colorful tail, showing
its blue and green feathers to this little girl dressed in red. Her mother, Ms.
Dai Zhizhen, standing by the large window a few meters away with her hand on the
baby cart, had a slight smile on her face. She looked at her little daughter and
shared her happiness.
Though Fadu is only four years old, she is already a regular visitor to the
United Nations in Geneva. In March 2002, when she was not yet 2 years old, she
and her mother came to Geneva for the first time. On the day the United Nations
Commission of Human Rights meeting began, Falun Gong practitioners from all over
the world held a press conference on the square. From there, people heard the
story of Ms. Dai for the first time. “My husband Chen Chengyong was
persecuted to death because he appealed for Falun Gong. He was only 34 years
old. Even today, I still don’t know how and why he was killed. In July 2001, I
learned that he was dead. His sister, who claimed the body from the police, was
also detained in a brainwashing class because she practiced Falun Gong
exercises. Later she was illegally sentenced to two years of forced labor
without a legal trial. Chen’s father couldn’t bear the news of the death of his
son and detention of his daughter; he fell ill and was sent to the emergency
room. But the authorities didn’t allow his daughter to visit him and finally, he
died in deep sadness. Within three months, a family was broken.” Trying
hard to hold her tears back, Ms. Dai talked about her family and asked China to
stop the persecution to the spectators who were also in tears.
Two more years passed and this is the third time the family came to the
United Nations Commission of Human Rights meeting. The story about Dai Zhizhen
and little Fadu is known to many attendees at the meeting. On April 1st,
Ms. Dai and Fadu participated in a women’s human rights discussion. Dai told the
audience more about her family.
“You have already heard my experiences. Today I have more to tell you.
My mother passed away yesterday. She died of disease in China but I could not go
back to see her for the last time and I can’t participate in the funeral.”
Dai said.
“My daughter asked me why couldn’t we go back to China. I said because
we couldn’t get a visa to China. She asked again why we couldn’t get a visa. I
said because we practice Falun Gong exercises. She continued to ask why people
practicing Falun Gong couldn’t get visa. I cried. I really don’t know how to
explain that to a three-year-old.”
When Dai was speaking, little Fadu quietly sat in the baby cart beside her
mother and concentrated on eating bread. This is her happy childhood. She has
followed her mother in the baby cart from one country to another, attending one
meeting after another. Ms. Dai has been talking about her family tragedy to
political leaders, media and non-governmental organizations around the world,
calling on the world’s people to help stop the Jiang group’s persecution of
Falun Gong.
Dai said that many kind-hearted people sent her cards after hearing of her
experience. The cards were full of greetings and encouragement. On April 2nd,
a lady who heard her speech the day before gave Fadu a Barbie doll and a set of
colored pencils.
April 3rd, Fadu had her fourth birthday in the United Nations.
Ms. Beutler, a member of World Women’s Association headquartered in America
met Ms. Dai and Fadu again. She told the reporter that she had two
granddaughters. “When I look at Fadu, I feel like I’m seeing my own
granddaughters. At the last meeting, I heard about Ms. Dai’s husband and her
mother. I feel sad for them. I believe the tie between the mother and child is
very important, like that between Ms. Dai and her mother, Fadu and her mother.
That is the foundation of human relationships.”
Ms. Dai Zhizhen said, “Although Fadu lost her father when she was only
one year old, more and more people care about her and care about the children in
China with same fate as hers.” Ms. Dai’s eyes turned to Fadu, who looks
very much like her father. The little girl stopped eating her bread, raised her
head and gave her mother a bright smile.
Posting date: 10/April/2004
Original article date: 8/April/2004
Category: Australian News
