Chairman of the London Assembly Expresses Concern over Annie Yang’s Situation

On March 21st 2005, Mr. Brian Coleman, Chairman of the London Assembly, wrote a letter to China’s Ambassador in the UK Mr. Zha Peixin. Mr. Coleman expressed his concern over Falun Gong practitioners Ms Annie Yang, who had recently been arrested in China.

His letter stated that one of his constituents recently told him that Annie was arrested by officers from Shuangyushu Paichusuo on 1st March 2005 on suspicion of being a Falun Gong practitioner. China is the only country in the world where practising Falun Gong, a practice of peaceful exercises and meditation that asks practitioners to live by the principles of truthfulness, compassion and tolerance, is illegal. In other countries, Falun Gong has received proclamations and awards from governments for its role in improving practitioners’ health and morality. Following her arrest, Ms Yang was taken to Haidian District Police Bureau.

It was mentioned in the letter that Ms Yang’s apartment in Unit 1, Jia 1 Building, Shuangyushu Beilu, Haidian District, Beijing was forcibly searched, items confiscated and Ms Yang arrested. Mr Coleman said that her relatives and friends know nothing of her whereabouts.

Mr. Coleman requested that Ambassador Zha Peixin should give his assurances that Ms Yang is safe and well, and confirm the location of where she is being detained.