WASHINGTON, DC, August 25, 2004 -- Finance ministers gathering next week at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in Santiago, Chile should publicly call on China to cease all religious persecution, Freedom House's Center for Religious Freedom said today.

Recent developments in China point to increasing crackdowns on Chinese Buddhists, Christians and practitioners of Falun Gong.

"The finance ministers meeting in Santiago need to be pro-active in letting Chinese delegates know that their government's attacks on believers of any persuasion are unacceptable," said Center for Religious Freedom Director Nina Shea.

[...]

The Falun Dafa Information Center reports increasing government assaults against the 100-million-member Falun Gong meditation and exercise movement. In June and July, 48 Falun Gong members were reported tortured and beaten to death while in custody for refusing to renounce their beliefs. Torture techniques reportedly included brandings with hot irons, electric shock, and pepper oil applied to the mouth and genitals. One Falun Gong member, 32-year-old Zhu Xia, released on April 2 from custody in Xinjin county, Sichuan province, survived multiple rapes and torture, but has not recovered physically or emotionally and can no longer care for herself.

"There can be no justification for the gross mistreatment, imprisonment, and outright killing of Chinese citizens whose only offense is the peaceful observance of their personal religious beliefs," said Ms. Shea.

Further details are available at http://www.freedomhouse.org/religion.

http://www.freedomhouse.org/religion/news/bn2004/bn-2004-08-25.htm