BATH CHRONICLE (UK): Exercising the right to relax

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THE peaceful practice of Falun Gong has attracted millions of people looking for the perfect way to relax and meditate. Yet those who perform this harmless traditional Chinese exercise - similar to Tai Chi - face persecution, torture and even death at the hands of the Chinese government. Human rights groups have already recorded over 380 deaths of Falun Gong practitioners across China - unofficial estimates put the death toll five times higher.

Some Falun Gong practitioners from the UK have taken up the plight of the 100 million persecuted Chinese, including Simon Miller, a former pupil at Culverhay School in Bath. He brought the human rights fight to the city on Saturday along with Rosemary Katzen, who was herself detained in China last month following a protest in Beijing. They demonstrated the exercises and handed out about 1,000 leaflets to highlight the plight to residents and visitors.

Simon, 41, whose parents live in Bathford, said the problems in China started in 1999 after Falun Gong practitioners staged a demonstration looking for recognition. "It became illegal in ྟ after the demonstration,” he said. "The government was shocked when about 10,000 people, which included high ranking communist officials, surrounded the government compound looking for official recognition." Simon added that since 1999 lots of Chinese practitioners - and even some from Hong Kong - had been arrested, tortured or incarcerated in labour camps for their belief in Falun Gong. "What we were really doing was trying to raise the human rights issue and tell people what has happened,” he said. "We had a lot of interest outside the abbey with people expressing support, and gave away over 1,000 leaflets. "There were also a number of people interested in having a go at Falun Gong [exercises], but at present there are no classes nearby." [...]

Bath Chronicle: April 3, 2002