GENEVA, Apr 19, 2001 -- (Agence France Presse) About 600 Falun Gong followers demonstrated here ahead of the planned introduction at the UN Human Rights Commission of a U.S.-sponsored resolution condemning Chinese religious restrictions.

Holding banners saying 'Respect Human Rights' and 'World Take Action', the Falun Gong members stood motionless and silent for about three hours in the square facing the UN's European headquarters.

The demonstrators, who included Westerners, also held plaques showing the names of people they say have fallen victim to Beijing's repressive approach to the outlawed spiritual movement.

Inside, the 53-member United Nations Human Rights Commission was due Wednesday to deal with a resolution presented by the United States which condemns Beijing for "increasingly severe measures" against movements such as Falun Gong.

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