Czech News Agency (CTK): Falun Gong 24-hour protest outside Chinese embassy ends

December 9, 2005 Friday

A 24-hour protest outside the Chinese Embassy by followers of the Falun Gong meditation movement ended shortly after noon today. The protest was held during the visit of China's PM Wen Jiabao to point to the persecution and imprisonment of Falun Gong members in China.

The protest was several times interrupted by actions of Chinese pro-establishment demonstrations, the protesters' spokeswoman Veronika Sunova told CTK.

[...]

Falun Gong protests were disrupted in other locations in Prague as well, for example outside the Industry and Trade Ministry or in front of the Hilton Hotel.

Falun Gong banner demanded that China's president and some ministers who are allegedly responsible for the persecution of the movement's followers, were tried in court.

"Our aim is to let people know about the persecution of our colleagues [in China]," protester Bohumil Bartosek said.

Some two dozens protesters were scattered around Prague in places where they expected Wen Jiabao to appear.

The Czech branch of Falun Gong called on Czech politicians not to forget to mention human rights violation in China during the talks with Wen Jiabao.

Prime Minister Jiri Paroubek promised to mention the issue, nevertheless it was not discussed during the press conference on Thursday due to lack of time.