Fiancée of Australian Arrives in Australia after being detained and tortured in China
By an Australian practitioner
Following the successful rescue of Ms. Li Ying, fiancée of Australian Citizen Li Qizhong, from a Chinese forced labour camp, another couple have been happily reunited in Sydney.
On October 2, 2002, Falun Gong practitioner Ms. Xie Yan from Guangzhou City was illegally sentenced to two years’ forced labour, and was detained in the notorious Chatou Forced Labour Camp of Guangzhou City. As she refused to renounce her belief in Falun Dafa, her term was extended for another 3 months. She was not released until January 2003. In the forced labour camp, she suffered many cruel tortures. She was only 24 years old at that time.
Unfortunately, around 10:30pm on the night of 23 February 2004, Guangzhou City Tianhe Police Department deceived her and abducted her. Her fiancé, Mr. Philip Law, an Australian citizen, tried many ways to find her. Eventually, he found out that she was detained in the brainwashing class in the so-called “Law School” set up by Tianhe Police Department. Philip requested to communicate with Xie Yan but was refused. Philip then started a rescue bid with his fellow overseas Falun Gong practitioners.
On the streets of Australia, practitioners handed out flyers about the sad story of this couple, and appealed to the public to write to the Chinese Embassy. At the same time, telephone calls from overseas were continually made to the brainwashing class. The crimes of the criminals, including Zeng, the chief of the brainwashing class, Xie, from “610 office” of Wushanjie Police Station, Zhang Lifang and Ren Renjie of the class, were exposed overseas. Facing the continuous phone calls from overseas, they were very nervous. In the end, they had to admit that they detained Xie Yan. While they tried to shirk their responsibilities, they still did not allow Xie Yan to speak to anyone from outside.
This didn’t stop Philip’s determination to rescue his fiancée. On 8 April 2004, he published an open letter to call for help to rescue his fiancée and other Falun Gong practitioners who are suffering in China. He also left Australia for Geneva on 9th April to appeal to the 60th United Nations Human Rights Conference.
The Australian government also provided assistance. The NSW Liberal Party Member for Lane Cove, Mr. Anthony Roberts, expressed that he would tell his colleagues about Xie’s situation. Chief Minister Jon Stanhope, MLA from Canberra, made an inquiry with the Chinese Embassy regarding Xie’s circumstance, and the details of their refusal of granting Philip the visa to China. John Murphy, MP wrote to the foreign minister, Alexander Downer, requesting the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to raise the matter with the Chinese authorities. Mr Downer later replied that he has pointed out to the Chinese authorities that they have violated the human rights convention. John Murphy, MP further contacted the Australian Consulate in Guangzhou, asking them to help with Xie Yan’s application to Australia, and to assist her in getting to Australia as soon as possible.
The story of the couple was also reported in the local newspaper “Inner West Weekly”, which aroused many people’s concern and sympathy. They were all shocked by the fact that the persecution has extended to their fellow Australians.
At this time, the truth-clarifying phone calls were still made to the brainwashing class. On 23 April, 2004 due to international pressure, the brainwashing class released Xie Yan.
On 31 July 2004, Xie Yan safely arrived at Sydney International Airport, and the young couple was finally reunited. They deeply appreciate the help from the Australian people, the Australian Government and Falun Gong practitioners from Australia, Switzerland and Thailand, and are very concerned about many practitioners who are still illegally detained in China. They appeal to all kind-hearted people to help stop this inhuman persecution, to stop the Jiang regime’s persecution of people who believe in “Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance”, and to unconditionally free all Falun Gong practitioners in China.
Posting date: 5/Aug/2004
Original article date: 4/Aug/2004
Category: Australian News
