Friends of Falun Gong, USA
Tel: 866-FG-Friend (343-7436)
Email: [email protected]

--FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE-- 8/15/02

Hong Kong: Failing The Litmus Test for Freedom

TENAFLY, NEW JERSEY, USA -- Friends of Falun Gong USA is horrified at the gross misrepresentation of justice carried out in the Hong Kong courts today as sixteen human rights advocates from Switzerland and Hong Kong were found guilty in a show trial that has made a mockery of democracy. The sixteen were arrested several months ago on March 14 while demonstrating for the rights of Falun Gong practitioners in Mainland China.

The demonstrators, who were Falun Gong practitioners themselves, had been charged with "obstructing the sidewalk" and "attacking police" as they were arrested only hours into their three-day hunger strike to bring attention to the latest development in the persecution of Falun Gong on the mainland -- that officials in China gave orders to police to shoot Falun Gong practitioners simply for handing out flyers. They were entirely within their rights and within the law. A video of the incident, as well as eyewitness accounts, clearly showed that they were quietly meditating in a small area and not obstructing pedestrian traffic in any way. Neither was there any demonstration of violence on their part. The police, in contrast, were brutal in their handling of these persons. The video shows them surrounding and manhandling the victims before carrying them off and throwing them into police vans.

The outcome of this trial is a blow not only to human rights but also to the future of Hong Kong's autonomy in the face of increasing pressure from Beijing and President Jiang Zemin.

"The people of Hong Kong, and indeed all those who cherish freedom should grieve for the future of human rights in this once-free society," commented Alan Adler, Executive Director of Friends of Falun Gong USA. "This is a seminal moment in the history of Hong Kong, marking the beginning of the end of One Country, Two Systems. It was clear from the beginning, as evidenced by video of the actual events, that the charges against these people were false. Hong Kong has failed its litmus test for freedom. Our hearts go out to the Hong Kong people, who are clearly in danger of losing more and more of their rights."

Mr. Adler concluded by stating, "Despite today's setback, friends, supporters, and practitioners of Falun Gong will continue to speak out against Beijing's worldwide persecution of Falun Gong, and continue to expose the Jiang Zemin regime until freedom prevails for Falun Gong practitioners everywhere."

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Friends of Falun Gong USA is a nonprofit organization made up of supporters of the human rights of Falun Gong adherents. Friends of Falun Gong USA is independent of Falun Gong.