Scoop.co.nz (New Zealand): Falun Gong Practitioners Persecuted

Falun Gong New Zealand

New Zealand Falun Gong practitioners have been interfered with and persecuted by the Chinese government.

The Chinese government has put their hands into New Zealand to interfere with Falun Gong practitioners. According to one of the defectors from Australia, Mr Hao Fengjun, a former officer from China's notorious '610' office, some of his duties were to collate and analyse intelligence reports sent back from Chinese "Secret Forces" in Australia, the US, Canada and New Zealand about Falun Gong and other groups.

In New Zealand, former section chief of a Beijing police bureau Mr Zhong Guichun supports Mr Hao's claims. Mr Zhong now has refugee status in New Zealand.

Many New Zealand Falun Gong practitioners believe they have been put on a 'black list' held by the Chinese government. Some practitioners have had their passport renewals and visa applications refused. Seven practitioners were arrested when they visited China in 1999.

In New Zealand, Falun Gong activities are constantly monitored [by people working for the Chinese government]. Suspicious looking people frequently take photos of Falun Gong practitioners when they hold activities to clarify the truth and expose the persecution in China. They have also had eggs thrown at them. A practitioner's car windows were smashed during a major truth clarification event, and an older practitioner was punched to the ground during a recent march down Queen Street.

Under pressure from Chinese authorities in New Zealand, a Falun Gong poster was removed from Auckland International airport in April 2002. It is also believed that due to pressure from the Chinese consulate, Falun Gong practitioners were refused to participate in some local Chinese celebrations.

In 2001, a reliable source informed Falun Gong practitioners in New Zealand that Chinese authorities had sent spies to imitate Falun Gong practitioners to gather information. The source of this information requested to remain anonymous due to obvious reasons.

Falun Gong practitioners in New Zealand call upon the Chinese government to immediately stop the persecutory acts against Falun Gong practitioners both inside and outside of China.