Danish Newspaper - B.T.: Falun Gong [practitioners] denied entry to Iceland because of presidential visit

June 13, 2002

"You are getting no further. Iceland does not want to see you."

That is the way it was stated to 6 Chinese, Canadian residents, who were stopped at the Copenhagen Airport prior to their departure for Iceland.

In connection with the visit of Chinese president Jiang to Reykjavik, the government of Iceland, to the astonishment of the whole world, has denied entry for [practitioners] of Falun Gong.

The Falun Gong movement, counting over 100 million active practitioners, has been outlawed in China since 1999, and according to the practitioners ten thousands have been sent to prison or labor camps.

Irrational conduct by Iceland

It is normal practice that hundreds of Falun Gong [practitioners] from around the world are following the Chinese president when he is visiting western countries officially.

But, as the first western country ever, Iceland has chosen to bow to the Chinese government's demand to deny entry to Falun Gong [practitioners].

á"It is absolutely unbelievable that a democratic country like Iceland would bow to the government of China. We are deeply shocked that we as peaceful Canadian citizens are being treated like criminals by Iceland," spokesman Xun for the 6 Chinese who have now chosen Copenhagen Airport as their base of protest.

á"We will remain sitting here in Copenhagen and protest as long as the president of the brutal Chinese regime visits Iceland." Xun says.

Also two Danish [practitioners] of Falun Gong were denied entry into Iceland.

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(Translated from Danish Newspaper - B.T.)