August 20, 2001

The United States has criticized China for sentencing 45 alleged Falun Gong members to long prison terms, calling the sentences "disturbing" and a "severe violation of religious freedom."

U.S. State Department spokesman Philip Reeker said Monday this latest court action violates China's commitment as a signatory of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The official Beijing Daily newspaper said on Sunday that the 45 members of the banned spiritual movement were sentenced over the past few days to sentences of up to 13 years for organizing protest activities. The sentences came after four Falun Gong practitioners were given terms ranging from seven years to life last Friday for allegedly helping to organize the self-immolation of several [group] members in Beijing's Tiananmen Square in January.

Mr. Reeker said the Bush administration has raised its concerns about the crackdown on Falun Gong with China many times in the past and will continue to do so. [...] The spiritual movement denies it has any political objectives. Human rights groups say that hundreds of Falun Gong followers have been sentenced to prison and tens of thousands have been sent to re-education camps since the government banned the movement two years ago.

Some information for this report provided by Reuters and DPA.

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