Ireland: Irish Councilors Express Support for Falun Gong Practitioners' Human Rights and Help Two Chinese Students to Return to Ireland

(Clearwisdom.net) On the February 9, 2004, the Fingal County Council passed a resolution condemning China's persecution of Falun Gong and strongly arguing that the Chinese Government release two Chinese students, Liu Feng and Yang Fang, and help them return to Ireland to continue their studies. At the same time, two other councils, the South Dublin Council and the Dun Laoghaire Council, have also passed similar resolutions. The three resolutions were passed by all the councilors followed by a very interesting supporting debate. They have also decided to send a copy of the resolution to the three County Councils as well as to the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister of Ireland and the Chinese Embassy.

Mr. Sean Dolphin, the President of the Fingal County Council, expressed the view that although Ireland is a small country, the council also hopes our people know what kind of persecution is going on inside China. At the same time, we should try our best to let the Chinese Government hear our voice: Stop persecuting Falun Gong. Mr. Dolphin also added that Ireland will take the Chair of the European Union from the 26th of February this year and administer the human rights dialogue between the European Union and China. We hope our Foreign Minister and Prime Minister will raise these matters with the Chinese Officials to ensure that they know our attitudes on such an issue.

Councilor Ms. Ruth Coppinger said: "I am aware of China's persecution of Falun Gong practitioners. The resolution which we have passed today is related to two Chinese students, Liu Feng and Yang Fang. They are still being detained inside China, and we urge that they get them back to Ireland as soon as possible."

Regarding the fact that many western countries have tried to keep good relationships with China's for trade reasons while ignoring human rights issues, Ms. Coppinger stated: "The benefits of trade shouldn't out-match human rights affairs, this is very important. I believe that our government, Europe and North America, should not turn a blind eye and ignore the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners and their beliefs inside China."

Councilor Mr. Robert Kelly has known about Falun Gong for three years. He is very interested in the popular practice which teaches people to meditate and cultivate their hearts.

Liu Feng and Yang Fang both studied at Irish colleges; they came from Dalian and Shenyang Provinces in China. During the Christmas break in 1999, Liu Feng and Yang Fang went back to China for a short holiday; they were arrested for peacefully appealing to stop the persecution of Falun Gong. They were released later but were banned from coming back to Ireland to continue their studies. In 2002, Yang Fang planned to return Ireland again, but she was prevented from getting on the plane at the airport, and was sent back to her hometown of Shenyang. In the same year, Liu Feng was planning to return to Ireland as well; however, he was arrested while shopping and later sent to Dalian Yaojia detention centre. According to the information from the Chinese Embassy in Ireland, after being illegally detained in Dalian Labour Camp for some time, Liu Feng was sent to a hospital outside the labour camp. This points to one of the methods used by the police to cover up their crimes after torturing Falun Gong practitioners to the edge of death. Therefore, Liu Feng's situation is very worrying.

Source: http://www.clearharmony.net/articles/200402/17899p.html

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