29/03/2002

Police confiscated banners from Falun Gong members outside the Chinese Embassy yesterday as part of the Federal Government's crackdown on the nine-month protest.

Protesters were visited by Greens MLA Kerrie Tucker, Trades and Labour Council secretary Jeremy Pyner and Amnesty International activist David Turbayne yesterday in a show of support for the organisation's freedom of expression.

Amnesty and Trades and Labour Council banners were raised during the visit and about 50 Falun Gong members raised six of their own banners, which were on display for about 2 hours.

Once Ms Tucker, Mr Pyner and Mr Turbayne left the protest, however, the police arrived and removed the banners.

Foreign Affair Minister Alexander Downer ordered on March 16 that Falun Gong banners and sound amplifiers be confiscated under the auspices of the Diplomatic and Privileges and Immunities Act of 1967.

He made the 30-day order on request from the embassy and before a visit by the Chinese Foreign Minister.

A spokesman for Mr Downer said the order was made to protect the security and dignity of staff at the embassy, who had been unsettled by the protest.

John Andress, the Queensland spokesman for Falun Gong, said the police officers who attended the protest had been understanding and the banners were taken non-violently. Mr Andress said he hoped Mr Downer would not seek to extend his ban.

Ms Tucker said she was appalled the situation had escalated to the Federal Government calling in police.

"The fact that Alexander Downer has agreed to reduce the right of protest outside an embassy is a wake-up call to Australia about what this government is prepared to do in the interests of trade with China - human rights appear to be way down its list of priorities."

Mr Pyner said the Government's policy was "completely at odds with the broader ACT community, which has over the years acted responsibility outside embassies when protesting against particular countries".

He said, "it is absolutely proper and appropriate that the community is allowed to demonstrate any concerns with a particular government".

Mr Turbayne said Mr Downer was quick to criticise other countries on human rights issues, such as Zimbabwe, "but is quite prepared to trample on our own fundamental democratic rights, such as the right to protest peacefully".

Mr Andress said Falun Gong did not have an argument with the Australian Government.

"Our problem is what is happening in China. China has put the pressure on this government and unfortunately this government has buckled into that pressure. It is unfortunate this has happened," he said.

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