For Immediate Release

On August 9, 2001, the San Francisco Human Rights Commission (SFHRC) drafted a letter to the Chief of Police Mr. Fred H. Lau requesting Mr. Lau to monitor any unlawful acts against Falun Gong practitioners in the future.

This is the first action SFHRC has taken since it passed a resolution supporting the rights of Falun Gong members to pursue peaceful activities in the city on May 24, 2001. The commission was made aware of this issue after an attack against Falun Gong practitioners in Chinatown. According to Mr. Jun Pan's testimony at the May 10th Commission meeting, he, his wife, and three other practitioners were attacked in Portsmouth Square at 10 AM on October 22, 2000. His t-shirt was torn, his eyeglasses were broken and he had to flee for his life to escape the pursuing attackers. He sustained cuts to the mouth, neck, face and legs. "As with any other group of law-abiding individuals, the issue of harassment or violence against Falun Gong practitioners is one of serious concern for The Human Rights Commission. We respectfully request that the Chief of Police monitor any unlawful acts against Falun Gong practitioners in the future," says Ghada Saliba-Malouf, Chair of the SFHRC.

There is a growing concern that these unlawful acts against Falun Gong practitioners have been instigated and directed by the Chinese Consulate. According to a recent article by AP: "While forging ahead with its attempt to eradicate the Falun Gong movement at home, China is taking its campaign against the spiritual group abroad." The article says that Chinese diplomats are seeking to discredit and undermine the image of Falun Gong in the United States, Australia and other countries by pressing public officials not to have dealings with the group or allow its participation in local activities. (07-08, 23:13 PDT HONG KONG, AP)

According to AP: "Beijing's attempts to use diplomatic pressure to silence Falun Gong have enraged members and government officials in the United States." The former mayor of Saratoga, Calif., Mr. Stan Bogosian was urged by two Chinese Consulate officials to rescind a proclamation in honor of Falun Gong. "For me, these are basic human rights," Bogosian said. There are over a dozen such cases nationwide.

Falun Gong practitioners and supporters are delighted by both the resolution and the letter, as they are concerned about the interference the Chinese consulate has been imposing on their normal activity. Falun Gong practitioners and supporters hope that the San Francisco Police Department will continue to protect their basic rights as guaranteed by U.S. and California laws and regulations, and not allow the consulate to succeed in their attempt to use the methodology of Chinese president Jiang Zemin's regime.

Posting date: 8/16/2001
Original article date: 8/15/2001
Category: Worldwide Support

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