1. 

AFP: Hong Kong begins deporting Falungong practitioners. Saturday, 29-Jun-2002 12:00PM (Excerpt)

(AFP) - Hong Kong authorities have detained or deported at least 80 Falungong practitioners ahead of celebrations to mark the fifth anniversary of the territory's reversion to Chinese rule, a group spokeswoman said Saturday.

Spokeswoman Sophie Xiao said between 40 and 50 Falungong followers were stopped after landing at Hong Kong's international airport on a flight from Taiwan late Saturday night. Another 44 from countries including Taiwan, Australia, France, Germany and Singapore, were denied entry on Saturday and the previous six days after arriving at the airport.

[...] A Falungong member who was detained on Friday, Vina Li, said immigration officials had cited "security reasons" for their decision to refuse entry to her and other travelling companions. Li, who arrived from Sydney, Australia, told AFP by phone while still at the airport she was visiting Hong Kong for "personal business" and not specifically to participate in any protests against Chinese President Jiang Zemin's visit Monday. Jiang is coming to Hong Kong as part of the handover celebrations.

Li said she had visited the territory many times before without incident and was unaware how immigration officials knew she was a Falungong practitioner this time round, hinting at the existence of an immigration "blacklist". However, Security Secretary Regina Ip denied the existence of such a list. "We do not have a list, but as there will be important ceremonies in the next few days, it is naturally necessary for Hong Kong... to take special measures to ensure that only those people who will not cause any trouble or disorder in Hong Kong are allowed entry," she told reporters.

Li said she was going to be deported back to Australia on the next available flight while other practitioners were also likely be sent back to their respective countries later Saturday. [...]

http://www.ptd.net/webnews/wed/au/Qhongkong-sect.RwMG_CuS.html

2. 

National Falun Dafa Day in Canberra - 24 June 2002

An address from Australian practitioners to government representatives at the above ceremony : "As you see, we have a lot of paper Lotus flowers here today. Last week a few practitioners were handing out these beautiful paper Lotus's in Parliament House. They carry the message -- Falun Dafa -- Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance. Many MP's and Senators received them and some flowers may have even found their way to the Prime Minister's office.

The symbolism of the Lotus flower is known in the east, throughout India and China. The roots grow in the mud and it pushes up through the water to the sky and opens into a beautiful flower. The Lotus is a great symbol for cultivation in Falun Dafa. From a seed within us -- and we all have the seed of Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance within us -- the practice of Falun Dafa allows that seed to grow into a flower. The seed is immersed in the mud.

It is a metaphorical mud in the society where we live amongst greed, anger, jealousy, revenge, selfishness. These are the things that manifest in society today, yet we cultivate amongst this because we know that within ourselves, within everyone, there is the seed of Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance. That is the joy and beauty of Falun Dafa.

Those of us who practice Falun Dafa know this and its why we are prepared to come to Canberra and sit here in the cold and that's why the practitioners in China are prepared to suffer so much as they know this seed is so valuable and so precious. We hope our MP's and Parliament can see this essence of Falun Dafa and start to understand us and start to also see the correct response to the Chinese government. Thank you all very much for coming today."

3. 

Celebrating Falun Dafa Day in the City of Brimbank, Melbourne - 15 June 2002

The Mayor of the City of Brimbank, Councillor Andres Puig opened proceedings, warmly welcoming everyone who attended.He spoke with words that cherished the principles of truthfulness-compassion-forbearance and the unity of all cultures. He also spoke out against the persecution of Falun Dafa.

On Saturday 15th June, Melbourne practitioners celebrated Falun Dafa Day in the City of Brimbank. The celebration took place in the central shopping centre where we had a stage, tables and photo displays. The atmosphere was beautiful as practitioners prepared for the day's events, which included singing, dancing, experience sharing, exercise demonstrations and morning tea for everyone. A local musician, Suzette Hertz came along to support our event, performing a famous Australian song called "I am Australian", with guitar and vocals.

The Mayor stayed for over an hour and graciously took photos with local practitioners living in the area. Before leaving for another engagement, he took the time to speak with practitioners and did an interview with an Epoch Times journalist.

4. 

Upholding Principles Under Deplorable Pressure A Statement from the European Falun Gong Information Centre (10/6/2002)

The Associated Press reported that Iceland’s Ministry of Justice – in anticipation of Chinese President Jiang Zemin’s arrival on June 12 – has barred all Falun Gong practitioners from entering Iceland. While we deplore this decision by the Ministry, we find the illicit pressure and bully tactics used by the Chinese Communist dictator to influence the nations he visits truly reprehensible.

Over the past three years, Falun Gong practitioners around the world have exemplified the spirit of compassion and nonviolence, always making their appeals in a completely peaceful manner.

In February of this year, Falun Gong practitioners held peaceful demonstrations outside the World Economic Forum in New York City. At the conclusion of the 3-day demonstration, a senior police officer told the Falun Gong organisers that he admired their discipline, courtesy, good behavior, and peaceful nature. Earlier in the week when he was asked about Falun Gong during a high-level security briefing for the Economic Forum, he stated, "You will have no trouble from them at all. They are a real pleasure to work with." Icelandic officials have also confirmed that reports from officials throughout the world show that Falun Gong activities have been consistently peaceful.

Why Bar Peaceful People? While we deplore the decision by the Ministry of Justice, the greater shame lies in the fact that the Chinese leader would so blatantly strong-arm a Western nation to compromise its democratic principles by threatening to cancel his trip. Yesterday The Morgunblad in Iceland reported, “The Morgunblad has reliable sources that Chinese authorities have demanded from the Icelanders that Falun Gong members not be allowed in the country during the visit. They have even demanded that no protesters be seen from the Saga Hotel where Jiang Zemin will stay.”

The day before, Iceland’s The Visir reported, “The Ministry of Justice obtained lists from the Chinese Embassy on individuals who are possibly linked to the Falun Gong.” It is clearly a sign of Jiang Zemin’s paranoia that he would sacrifice the diplomatic dignity of his country just to spare himself the sight of a group of people peacefully demonstrating.

Last month in Germany, Jiang even went so far as to demand the German Government ban everyone from wearing yellow wherever he visited – a colour often used by Falun Gong practitioners during their public appeals. Perhaps, this colour reminds Jiang of the tens of thousands of innocent men, women, and children that have been imprisoned, tortured or killed in China as well as the millions of grieving families that have been torn apart by his persecution campaign.

Voices of Support from Iceland The people of Iceland live in a democracy that values freedom. This past week, Falun Gong websites have received numerous e-mails from individuals and organisations in Iceland, denouncing this decision. “This mass murderer’s [Jiang Zemin] visit will not go un-protested…there will be peaceful protests,” writes one resident of Reykjavik, Iceland. “The ban of all Falun Gong members in Iceland during this visit is a terrible crime to free speech, and endangers our freedom of choice.” Reports and editorials in the media have also given voice to the Icelandic people’s desire to see a different course of action taken by their Ministry.

Hong Kong begins deporting Falun Gong practitioners

National Falun Dafa Day in Canberra

Falun Dafa Day in Brimbank, Melbourne

Upholding Principles Under Deplorable Pressure

To date, 428 Falun Gong Practitioners have been verified to have died from Police Torture in China.

On Monday 24th June, National Falun Dafa Day in Canberra, 92,622 petition signatures were presented to Anthony Albanese MP at Parliament House in an effort to urge the Australian government to help stop the persecution of Falun Gong in China.

Icelandic learn Falun Gong in front of the Chinese Embassy in Iceland

(June 13) Morgunbladid, Iceland's largest daily, ran a full-page ad in Chinese, English and Icelandic aimed at members of Falun Gong and foreign visitors of Asian descent. The title of the ad is three big red Chinese characters meaning "Apology".

The text is as follows: WE APOLOGIZE! We the undersigned -- common Icelandic citizens -- apologize to members of Falun Gong and other foreign visitors of Asiatic origin for the incomprehensible actions of the Icelandic authorities in connection with the state visit of the president of the People's Republic of China to Iceland. We assure you that these actions are not in accordance with the wishes of the Icelandic people. We furthermore strongly condemn the severe human rights violations of the Beijing tyranny on the Chinese mainland as well as China's occupied areas. Close to 500 individuals from all walks of life--from Congressmen to poets, from blue collar workers to students-- signed the declaration.

* What is Falun Gong?

* Why the Persecution?

* What is the 6-10 Office?

* Self Immolation or Plot?