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Press Release FDI Ireland: SARS is Just the Tip of the Iceberg in Terms of What Jiang Zemin is Hiding - Irish Student Among Thousands Still Detained without Cause
DUBLIN (IFGIC) -- In April, when Dr. Jiang Yanyong blew the whistle on the SARS
cover-up in China, the international community hailed him as a hero -- one who put the lives and
well being of the people before concerns for his own personal safety. More than three years before, however, Chinese authorities arrested a Dublin college student, Mr.
Feng Liu and placed him under house arrest after he tried to hand in a letter of appeal to the
Chinese Premier concerning the persecution of Falun Gong. Like Dr. Jiang, Mr. Liu's act was to save countless lives in China, and one that the Chinese
leadership has gone to great lengths to cover up. To facilitate this act, Mr. Liu had to put the
interests of others before himself and for this he has been arrested, detained and is currently
being detained in a labour camp in China. Details of thousands of Falun Gong practitioners being tortured in labour camps have already been
received and these accounts paint a harrowing picture. "Nobody should be maltreated as a result of their belief -- this is stated in the United
Nations Declarations of Human Rights" states Mr Brian Trought, a spokesperson for the Irish
Falun Gong Information Centre. "But this is exactly what has happened to Feng Liu. He must be
released -- immediately and unconditionally." Irish Government Asks Questions In a similar manner to appeal for the release of Zhao Ming from a labour camp in Beijing, the
Irish people have again raised their concerns for Feng Liu; signatures have been collected, and
Irish politicians have also raised questions relating to his detention in the Dáil. Among these,
Olivia Mitchell asked "if [the Minister for Foreign Affairs] will continue to press the case of
these two persons in order that they may return here to complete their studies; and if he will make
a statement on the matter" [14851/03]. In response, the Irish foreign Minister, Mr. Brian Cowen stated: "My colleague, Deputy Kitt,
Minister of State with responsibility for overseas development and human rights, yesterday met the
Chinese Ambassador, and raised our concerns over these cases with him. Officials in my Department
and in our embassy in Beijing will continue to monitor these cases, and I will keep the House
informed of any progress made." Mr. Trought commented that "The Irish government must do more than just talk to Chinese
representatives about stopping the persecution of Falun Gong, they have to place more pressure on
China and ensure a quick and peaceful end to this persecution." ### Background Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa (about), is a
practise of meditation and exercises with teachings based on the universal principle of
"Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance." It is a practise that was taught in private for
thousands of years before being made public in 1992 by Mr. Li Hongzhi. Falun Gong has roots in
traditional Chinese culture, but it is distinct and separate from other practises such as the
religions of Buddhism and Taoism. Since its introduction in 1992, it quickly spread by word of mouth
throughout China, and is now practised in over 50 countries. With government estimates of as many as 100 million practising Falun
Gong, China's President Jiang Zemin outlawed the peaceful practise in July 1999 (report), fearful of anything
touching the hearts and minds of more citizens than the Communist Party. Unable to crush the spirit
of millions who had experienced improved health and positive life changes from Falun Gong, Jiang's
regime has intensified its propaganda campaign to turn public opinion against the practise while
quietly imprisoning, torturing and even murdering those who practise it. The Irish Falun Gong Information Centre has verified details of 720 deaths (reports / sources) 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, while expert sources estimate that figure to be much
higher. Hundreds of
thousands have been detained, with more than 100,000 being sentenced
to forced labour camps, typically without trial. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT THE FALUN DAFA INFORMATION CENTRE Brian Trought 0879911892 - Zhao Ming --0877842819- Gerald O'Connor 0863848719 http://clearharmony.net/articles/200306/12920.html Posting date: 6/7/2003 |