Australia: Successful Rescue of Australian Falun Gong Practitioner from the Persecution in China

Following the successful rescue of Ms. Li Ying, fiancée of Australian Citizen Li Qizhong (Phillip), from a Chinese forced labour camp, another couple has been happily reunited in Sydney.

Phillip Law and fiancée Xie Yan at the airport

On October the 2nd of 2002, Falun Gong practitioner Ms. Xie Yan from Guangzhou City of China was illegally sentenced to two years of forced labour, and was detained in the notorious Chatou Forced Labour Camp of Guangzhou City. As she refused to renounce her belief in Falun Dafa, her term was extended by three months. She was not released until January 2003. In the forced labour camp, she suffered from many cruel tortures. She was only 24 years old at the time. Unfortunately, around 10:30 p.m. on the night of the 23rd of February 2004, Guangzhou City Tianhe Police Department deceived her and abducted her. Her fiancé, Mr. Philip Law, an Australian citizen, tried many ways to find her. Eventually, he found out that she was detained in the brainwashing class in the so-called "Law School" set up by Tianhe Police Department. Philip requested to communicate with Xie Yan but was refused. Philip then started a rescue bid with his fellow overseas Falun Gong practitioners.

On the streets of Australia, practitioners handed out leaflets about the sad story of this couple, and appealed to the public to write to the Chinese Embassy. At the same time, telephone calls from overseas were continually made to the brainwashing class. The crimes of the criminals, including Zeng, the chief of the brainwashing class, Xie, from the "6-10 Office"¹ of Wushanjie Police Station, Zhang Lifang and Ren Renjie who helped run the class, had their evil deeds exposed overseas. Facing the continuous phone calls, they grew very nervous. In the end, they had to admit that they were detaining Xie Yan. While they tried to shirk their responsibilities, they still did not allow Xie Yan to speak to anyone.

This didn't stop Philip's determination to rescue his fiancée. On April the 8th, 2004, he published an open letter to call for help to rescue his fiancée and other Falun Gong practitioners who are suffering in China. He left Australia for Geneva on April the 9th to appeal to the 60th United Nations Human Rights Conference.

The Australian government provided assistance. The NSW Liberal Party Member for Lane Cove, Mr. Anthony Roberts, expressed that he would tell his colleagues about Xie's situation. Chief Minister Jon Stanhope, MLA from Canberra, made an inquiry with the Chinese Embassy regarding Xie's circumstance, and the details of their refusal of granting Philip the visa to China. John Murphy, MP wrote to the foreign minister, Alexander Downer, requesting the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to raise the matter with the Chinese authorities. Mr. Downer later replied that he has pointed out to the Chinese authorities that they have violated the human rights convention. John Murphy, MP further contacted the Australian Consulate in Guangzhou, asking them to help with Xie Yan's application to Australia, and to assist her in getting to Australia as soon as possible.

The story of the couple was also reported in the local newspaper "Inner West Weekly," which aroused many people's concern and sympathy. They were all shocked by the fact that the persecution has also been extended to their fellow Australians.

At this time, phone calls were still made to the brainwashing class. On the 23rd of April, 2004 due to international pressure, the brainwashing class released Xie Yan.

On July 31st, 2004, Xie Yan safely arrived at Sydney International Airport, and the young couple were finally reunited. They deeply appreciate the help from the Australian people, the Australian Government and Falun Gong practitioners worldwide, and are very concerned about many practitioners who are still illegally detained in China. They appeal to all kind-hearted people to help stop this inhuman persecution, to stop the Chinese dictator Jiang Zemin and his regime's persecution of people who believe in "Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance," and to unconditionally free all Falun Gong practitioners in China.

Terms:

1. "6-10 Office" - an agency specifically created to persecute Falun Gong, with absolute power over each level of administration in the Party and all other political and judiciary systems.