Report From Falun Gong - Iceland Dialogue Committee (Part III)

On September 5, the Falun Gong - Iceland Dialogue Committee, comprising of practitioners from the USA, Canada and Europe, launched its first dialogue with high-level Icelandic officials. Ragnar Adalsteinsson, Iceland's number one Human Rights defender and Supreme Court lawyer also took part in the dialogue and volunteered as practitioners legal counsel.

The dialogue between Falun Gong representatives and the Icelandic Government drew the attention of all Icelandic media. At the scene of the dialogue, the Icelandic TV station broadcast on the spot coverage. After the meeting, reporters from the Icelandic TV station and other media interviewed practitioners and compiled reports about the dialogue process.

Although the Icelandic government has so far made no amends for its wrongful decision to ban Falun Gong practitioners from Iceland during the time of the Chinese dictator's visit, the righteousness, tolerance and compassion displayed by the Falun Gong practitioners in the dialogue process can help the Icelandic government to truly understand the truth of Falun Gong and amend its wrong decision in June.

Part III

5. The "blacklist" is the most irksome thing for the Icelandic government

The spokesperson of Falun Gong practitioners said that the Falun Gong practitioners were denied to enter Iceland for their belief, and were even detained illegally. The act obviously violated the international bill of human rights. In addition, the "blacklist" of Falun Gong practitioners is used to "hold up" the innocent Falun Gong practitioners in many international airports and Customs around the globe. These practitioners were identified with the blacklist.

The blacklist used to stop Falun Gong practitioners from boarding aircraft bound for Iceland in many international airports is most irksome for the Icelandic government, because the Icelandic people thought that it was provided by the Jiang regime. Earlier, officials of the Icelandic government had declared that the "blacklist" came from Interpol.

Practitioners contacted Interpol in France. Interpol explained that it "only provides information about crimes." Thus, Interpol does not have a name list of Falun Gong practitioners. At the same time, Interpol confirmed that they had never provided any name list of Falun Gong to Iceland.

However, during the recent dialogue, Iceland insistently denied that the "blacklist" had come from Interpol.

When the practitioners persistently asked the origin of the "blacklist," the Icelandic officials indicated that "it was from the reservations of Falun Gong practitioners as a group at the hotels and their applications for visas."

The practitioners immediately pointed out that the reservations of Falun Gong practitioners had only information of certain individuals, those making the reservations. They could not know the information of all practitioners. Besides, many practitioners didn't need visas.

Meanwhile, the Icelandic officials did not know how to respond. An official admitted, "We have received various kinds of information from China." When the practitioners asked whether it included the "blacklist," the Icelandic officials did not deny it.

6. Iceland Incident caused many Government and Parliamentarians' concerns

The Iceland incident raised concerns in Canada, the United States and many European countries. The U.S. government called on Iceland to give an explanation. The Canadian government presented the Icelandic government with a diplomatic memorandum of understanding along with Falun Gong practitioners' appeal. Several dozen Parliamentarians and Congressmen from the U.S., Canada, European countries and EU Parliament wrote to Icelandic government and other organisations to express their shock at the news that such a democratic country like Iceland would, under Jiang's pressure, suppress the justice voice and violate human rights.

Canadian ambassador to Iceland met Falun Gong practitioners from Canada three times in the course of the negotiation between Icelandic officials and Falun Gong representatives. The ambassador highly praised Falun Gong practitioners' deeds in Iceland and said: "You have done [a great job] in a dignified manner in Iceland." When meeting the practitioners for the third time, the ambassador, referring to the very rare clear sky and warm weather in September, said: "You people have brought the good weather to Iceland." "We side with you." The ambassador also told us that he might see Chinese ambassador in Iceland soon, and he would tell him that Canadian government condemns China's oppression of Falun Gong, and that he would ask China to stop persecuting Falun Gong.

Falun Gong practitioners also visited German ambassador to Iceland and the official of U.S. Embassy in Iceland. They all expressed grave concern over the Icelandic incident.

7. Falun Gong practitioners continue to strive to improve the situation in Iceland

In addition to setting a precedent for future dialogues between Falun Gong practitioners and a government, these practitioners also demonstrated their great kindness and steadfast belief. At the same time, practitioners took advantage of the dialogue to clarify the truth about Falun Gong to more Icelandic people, government officials and non-governmental organisations. It not only plays an important role in helping the Icelandic government further understand the truth of Falun Gong and dismiss the vicious propaganda orchestrated by Jiang's group, but it is also good for Icelandic government and its people in the future.

Some practitioners from the U.S. and other countries who volunteered to participate in the dialogue between Falun Gong and Icelandic government will continue to do their level best to improve the situation in Iceland.