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LONDON [EFGIC] – Over thirty Chinese men who appeared to be working with Argentina’s Chinese Embassy beat Falun Gong practitioners and tore their banners with knives Tuesday. The beating took place outside the Hilton Hotel where Chinese President Hu Jintao and his delegation were visiting.
Upon arriving in Argentina, witnesses say Hu was clearly seen reading the Chinese banners from his car. The banners did not criticize Hu, but rather called for former president Jiang Zemin and three of his associates to be brought to justice for persecuting Falun Gong in China.
“It seems hard to imagine that Hu didn’t know about this incident,” says European Falun Gong Information Centre Spokesperson, Mr. Peter Jauhal. “Since Hu took power in November 2002, we’ve never accused him or targeted him in any way, and only called for an end to this genocide and for those responsible to be brought to justice. Does Hu Jintao want to shoulder the criminal responsibility for this persecution alongside Jiang Zemin?”
Also during Hu’s visit, two Chinese Embassy officials pressured the Argentinean presidential office to arrest the Falun Gong practitioners and their banners.
“The authorities, the police etc. all know the truth,” says an Argentinean Falun Gong practitioner, “but China is presenting herself as Santa Claus coming with gifts to this part of the world.”
NEWS– Nov.19, 2004
European Falun Gong Information Centre, More contacts. www.clearharmony.net
Background
Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa (about), is a practice of meditation and exercises with teachings based on the universal principle of “Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance.” Practised in over 60 countries world-wide, Falun Gong has roots in traditional Chinese culture. With government estimates of as many as 100 million practising Falun Gong in China, China’s then-Communist leader, Jiang Zemin, outlawed the peaceful practice in July 1999 (report). Since that time, Jiang’s regime has intensified its propaganda campaign to turn public opinion against the practice while imprisoning, torturing and even murdering those who practise it. The European Falun Gong Information Centre has verified details of 1122 deaths (reports) since the persecution of Falun Gong in China began in 1999. In October 2001, however, Government officials inside China reported that the actual death toll was well over 1,600. Expert sources now 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 EUROPEAN FALUN GONG INFORMATION CENTRE – Peter Jauhal + 44 (0) 7739 172 452 Nicolas Schols +32 47 98 75 734
More contacts. www.clearharmony.net Email: [email protected]
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