AP: U.S. Disturbed by Falun Gong Reports

August 20, 2001

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The United States is disturbed by reports that Chinese courts have sentenced as many as 45 members of the Falun Gong spiritual [group] to up to 13 years in prison, the State Department said Monday.

Spokesman Philip Reeker said the sentences were handed down for activities such as helping organize protests, manufacturing banners and printing leaflets. The Falun Gong has been outlawed in China since 1999.

Reeker suggested that the Chinese action may be in violation of the freedom of statement provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which China has signed.

"We've raised with China on many occasions our concerns about the crackdown on the Falun Gong, and reports of torture and mistreatment of detained and imprisoned practitioners. And we're going to continue to raise those issues," Reeker said.

He said China's failure to respect freedom of thought and conscience was documented in the most recent State Department report on human rights conditions worldwide.

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/national/AP-US-China.html?searchpv=aponline