UK Falun Gong Practitioners Conduct Hunger Strikes in London and Edinburgh

LONDON, March 24, 2002 (Falun Gong Information Centre UK) -- At 7:30 am on March 20, 2002, three Falun Gong practitioners went on a hunger strike outside the Chinese Embassy in London, and later at 3 pm they delivered a letter to the office of Prime Minister Tony Blair. There was be a press conference outside the Chinese Embassy at Portland Place at 11 am. The hunger strike ended at 11:30 pm on March 23, 2002.

In Edinburgh, one Falun Gong practitioner conducted a hunger strike in front of the Chinese Consulate at 43 Station Road, from 9 am to 5 pm on March 20 and March 21. A press conference was held at 10 am on March 20, 2002.

The four practitioners are Ms Yanyu Fan, Ms Helen Chauntry, Mr Michael Holland and Ms Christina Jingha. Individual statements by each of the practitioners were read at the Press Conference.

Chinese president Jiang, without legal authority, reportedly gave orders to "kill [Falun Gong practitioners] without mercy," immediately following a March 5 surprise TV broadcast in Changchun city in northeastern China that was supportive of Falun Gong. Cities and provinces across China have been compiling lists of specific Falun Gong practitioners to be executed.

China' police have received orders to "shoot on sight" any Falun Gong practitioners seen handing out or posting Falun Gong flyers in China. So far, four practitioners have been shot in the streets in Liaoning and Heilongjiang Provinces (March 8, 02 Agence France Press). See details and photos of the people shot at http://www.faluninfo.net

The purpose of the hunger strike is to draw the attention of the world and, in particular, the UK Government to the severe escalation of the violence used by the Chinese Government to persecute Falun Gong practitioners.

The Falun Gong Information Centre UK has verified details of over 381 deaths since the persecution of Falun Gong in China began in 1999. Government officials inside China, however, report that the actual death toll is well over 1,600. Over 100,000 have been detained, with more than 20,000 being sentenced to forced labour camps without trial.

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