GENEVA (Reuters) - Members of the Falun Gong spiritual movement Monday accused China of persecuting their banned movement and called on the main U.N. human rights forum to take action.

Hundreds of Falun Gong followers meditated in silent protest outside the U.N. building in Geneva to mark the opening of the annual session of the U.N. Commission on Human Rights.

Spokesmen for the popular movement, which claims between 70 million and 100 million adherents, accused Chinese officials of arresting more than 35,000 people since the ruling Communist Party banned Falun Gong last July.

At least 5,000 members had been sent to labor camps without trial and others have been sentenced to up to 18 years in prison after ``show trials,'' according to Gail Rachlin, a U.S.-based spokeswoman. Some detainees have been drugged in mental clinics.

``Eleven cases of death by torture have been reported thus far, and tens of thousands have lost their homes, jobs, schools, pensions and even Party membership,'' she told a news briefing.

``The only 'crime' these people have committed was their attempt to exercise their rights to freedom of belief, conscience, assembly and speech; yet these rights are enshrined in China's own constitution...,'' she added.

The United States has announced it will present a resolution criticizing abuses in China, but it is not clear whether the European Union will endorse the motion at the six-week session.

Beijing denies it represses political and religious groups. China banned Falun Gong, which combines elements of Buddhism, Taoism and meditation, after members demanded official recognition for their faith in a series of protests.

China is again expected to marshal enough votes to prevent any serious debate on its record, according to diplomats.

U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson opened the annual forum with a speech calling for investigations into allegations of gross violations around the world, but she did not refer to China in her speech.

Asked about the omission, she told a news conference she had expressed concern during a recent visit to China about freedoms of expression, religion and assembly. ``It was important to speak out there,'' she said.

Robinson, a lawyer, added: ``I was very struck not only by progress in economic, social and cultural rights in China, but also that they are making significant changes in the criminal procedure code, they are seeking support for access to legal aid and they are addressing issues of justice. It will take time.''

The U.N. rights chief, who will travel to Moscow and Chechnya from March 31-April 4, also said she would look into allegations of torture and ill-treatment in detention camps in the region.

``Naturally I will wish to follow up on the serious and documented allegations of human rights abuses and the situation in filtration camps and also the humanitarian situation of the civilian population,'' she said.

Robinson said she intended to report her findings to the main U.N. rights forum, which could order a full investigation.