Media Summary: The Week in Review

Washington Times: Falun Gong Practitioners Seek Asylum in Japan

On August 11, 2004, The Washington Times reported the story of a 58-year-old Falun Gong practitioner from China who has applied for asylum in Japan on the basis that she will face certain detention and torture if she is forced to return to China.

Ms. Zhang Minjie stated, "I was kept twice in confinement and once in a mental institute.

On one occasion I was not allowed to go home for over a year. I have difficulties walking and my back is bent due to ill-treatment there."

Two other women, Li Yuxue, 53, and Zheng Xue Zhen, 63, said that they managed to flee to relatives in Japan, after coming under intense surveillance and persecution by Chinese authorities.

Of thirty-one Falun Gong practitioners who are seeking asylum in Japan, thirteen have had their cases rejected.

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/getarticle.pl5?nn20040811b2.htm

Spain's El Mundo Newspaper Predicts Economic Freedom in China Will Fail without Human Rights and the Rule of Law

On July 22 2004, one of the two leading newspapers in Spain, El Mundo, published an editorial presenting the repression against Falun Gong as the most evident example of why China's "economic freedom" is an illusion that will clearly fail without human rights and the rule of law. The article discussed the banning of Falun Gong in the larger context of China's attempt to promote economic liberalization while at the same time conducting a brutal, Cultural Revolution style campaign against a peaceful spiritual group.

The editorial concludes with the statement, "A communist regime that acts arbitrarily, and often dictatorially, can't offer the conditions --in particular, an independent Legal system-- necessary so that the so-called economic liberty does not end up being synonymous with abuse and corruption."

Source http://www.clearharmony.net/articles/200408/21312.html

UK: Falun Gong Practitioners Raise Awareness of Persecution During Edinburgh Military Tattoo

(Clearwisdom.net) The famous Edinburgh Military Tattoo opened to the public on August 7, attracting thousands of tourists to the already busy city. This year the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) band is taking part in the Tattoo. Practitioners took this opportunity to expose the crimes of the head of the Peoples Liberation Army of China, Jiang Zemin, in his personal vendetta against Falun Gong.

On August 7, at a site near the Tattoo, practitioners staged an anti-torture exhibition, demonstrated the exercises of Falun Gong and collected signatures on petitions to bring Chinese dictator Jiang Zemin to justice. The event went smoothly and was very successful.

The Herald (Glasgow) reported practitioners' activities during the Tattoo. As quoted by The Herald, practitioner Christina Ma said: "We're not focused on the PLA, because they also are the victims. He [Jiang Zemin] gives the orders, such as to kill Falun Gong practitioners without mercy. The reason we're here is to let people know of the brutal persecution in China." Christina, 37, has been a student in Edinburgh since 1996.

Mary Cann, a 46-year-old housewife and Falun Gong practitioner from Nottingham, told The Herald: "...Members of the PLA have indeed been very brutally persecuted for being Falun Gong practitioners - they come from all sections of society."

Northern District Times (Australia): Falun Gong Practitioner Petitions Australian Prime Minister

On August 11, 2004, The Northern District Times in Australia reported that Chinese-Australian Falun Gong practitioner David Liang has delivered a petition to Prime Minister John Howard.

The petition, which bears the names of 1700 people, asks the Federal Government to work with the South African authorities to investigate a recent incident in which Mr. Liang was shot while driving a car in South Africa. It also condemns acts of terrorism by the Chinese Government and calls on the Federal Government to be vigilant in protecting Australians who may face terrorist attacks for their beliefs.

David Liang's feet were shattered by a gunman's bullet as he and other Falun Gong practitioners were on the way to file a lawsuit in South Africa against two Chinese officials for their role in persecuting Falun Gong in China. Doctors say that his mobility will be affected for two years.

The Times article states: "The lawsuit charged China's Vice President Zeng Qinghong and Trade Minister Bo Xilai with torture, genocide and crimes against humanity for persecuting people who practice the meditation which teaches truth, compassion and

tolerance."

Mr. Liang, the father of two children, believes that he and the other practitioners were targeted by clothing, which identified them as Falun Gong practitioners. He said the South African authorities are investigating the incident as an "attempted murder," and expressed his hope that the Australian government would take action to put an end to the violence against Falun Gong practitioners.

Despite his brush with death, Mr. Liang remains firm in his beliefs and has no intention of giving up his practice of Falun Gong.