Dublin Trinity College and Friends of Zhao Ming Hold Press Conference to Welcome Zhao Ming's Return to Dublin

On March 25, 2002 at 1 p.m., Dublin Trinity College and Friends of Zhao Ming held a press conference to welcome Zhao Ming's return to Dublin after two years of torment and to express their sincere appreciation for the support and help from international community.

The news conference was held in the GSU Common Room of Trinity College. Several news agencies were present at the conference. Zhao Ming sincere thanked all the people who have helped him regain his freedom -- Irish government and people, Provost of Trinity College, Professor John Hegarty and other lecturers, Graduate Student Union Student Union, and the Friends of Zhao Ming; Ms. Mary Robinson, UN High Commissioner on Human Rights, European Parliament and many of its members, as well as other European governments. Zhao Ming then answered questions from the reporters. He also accepted Irish National Radio RTE's telephone interview afterwards.

GSU President Elizabeth Drew read a letter from the Provost of Trinity College, Dr. John Hegarty to welcome Zhao Ming back to Trinity University to continue his studies. GSU President Elizabeth Drew, spokesperson of Friends of Zhao Ming, Jim Dowling, former GSU President Brian MacSharry and Falun Gong practitioner Dai Dongxue gave speeches and answered questions from the audience. Zhao Ming has regained his strength after he obtained freedom to do exercises and study the Fa. Details will follow in a later report.

(from left to right) AI Representative, Jim Dowling, Zhao Ming, Dai Dongxue, Elizabeth Drew, Brian MacSharry	Zhao Ming answering reporters' questions	GSU President Elizabeth Drew reading a letter from the Provost of Trinity College, Dublin Dr John Hegarty

Statement from the Provost of Trinity College, Dublin Dr John Hegarty

Press Statement, Monday March 25, 2002, 1pm

The Provost of Trinity College, Dublin Dr John Hegarty, on behalf of the College, would like to welcome the return of postgraduate student Mr Zhao Ming to Ireland and looks forward to meeting him.

We are delighted that he will be able to return to Trinity and will support him in every way possible to complete his postgraduate studies in Computer Science.

Further information from: Provost Office, TCD. Tel Ol 608 1558

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Graduate Students' Union

UNIVERSITY OF DUBLIN

Trinity College

The Graduate Students' Union (GSU) at Trinity College Dublin is extremely pleased and honoured to welcome Zhao Ming back to Dublin and to Trinity College.

GSU President Elizabeth Drew states that: 'Lots of people in Trinity have been looking forward to this day since we first learned of Ming's arrest in January 2000. We are so happy to see him safely returned to Dublin. Many Trinity students got involved in working for Ming's release, writing over 2,000 letters to Chinese and Irish authorities and participating in demonstrations to raise awareness of Ming's case. This outcome confirms the impact that concerned individuals can have when they speak out to support someone who has been treated unjustly.'

Many have worked over the past two years to secure Zhao Ming's freedom. The GSU would like to recognise in particular the contributions of Mary Robinson, the UN Commissioner for Human Rights and Chancellor of Trinity College Dublin; President Mary McAleese; Taoiseach Bertie Ahern; Minister Brian Cowen; Lord Moyne; Prof John Hegarty, Provost of Trinity College; the Trinity College Students' Union; students and others who wrote letters on Ming's behalf and attended demonstrations; the many members of the press who helped raise awareness of Ming's case; and our colleagues within the Friends of Zhao Ming.

The GSU will continue to work to ensure that Ming will receive all possible support as he resumes his studies in the Computer Science Department at Trinity College.

Elizabeth Drew

President

Graduate Students' Union

Trinity College

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