German Radio Station’s Report On the Hong Kong Trial: Although Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Continues With Its Autonomy, the Local Government Bows More And More

“The origin of the incident (Hong Kong trial) is a protest activity held in front of the Chinese Liaison Office in March. The judge sentenced the 16 accused practitioners as guilty. However, the punishment for the accusations is relatively light – fines varying from 40 to 125 Euros.

[The] spokesperson of Falun Gong Ms. Xu expressed indignantly: “We are shocked by the verdict. The judge soils the case with prejudice throughout the trial. He disregards the important evidence. In other words, he is devoid of any evidence at all.”

The report said that in Hong Kong city, which has a 7 million population, about 500 Falun Gong practitioners are still able to practise without interference. Since Falun Gong was banned in Mainland China, they often organize protest activities against the Beijing Government. Although Hong Kong as a special administrative region continues with its autonomy, the local Government seems to be bending more and more to the pressure from Beijing. Today’s verdict, as pointed out by Falun Gong spokesperson Ms. Xu, is so far a most apparent message that the freedom once promised to Hong Kong has become more and more existent in name only.

Xu said: “The verdict not only damages the Basic Law but also harms the concept of protection by law which we have been proud of. It extends Jiang Zemin’s regime’s persecution to Hong Kong. The ruler of China has imposed on our law and law enforcement.”

It is said in the report that the latest situation indicates what Xu said is correct. Since the Chief Executive of Hong Kong Tung Chee Hwa regarded Falun Gong as an [slanderous term omitted], various evidence has reflected the tendency of the ban. Falun Gong has been unable to obtain a permit to hold activities in front of public buildings. Observers worry that the Government has started the preparation of enacting a severe anti-subversion law in order to lay a legal foundation for getting rid of all those who are not welcome or who criticize Beijing.

Ms. Xu [states]: “Falun Gong in Hong Kong will continue appealing for the hundreds of thousands of Falun Gong practitioners in mainland China, because as long as this persecution does not stop they will not have the freedom of speech. We have been abiding by the law in our activities and always inform the police in advance. Therefore, we feel very sorry about the result of trial. It is a dark day for Hong Kong.”

Xu announced that they were going to appeal against the verdict.”