CNN: Falun Gong protests ahead of U.N. vote

HONG KONG, China (CNN) -- Falun Gong practitioners have staged protests in Asia and the U.S. in a bid to shine the spotlight on a U.N. human rights resolution.

A vote will take place Wednesday in Geneva on the resolution, condemning China for alleged human rights abuses.

Members of the Falun Gong [group], which is banned in mainland China but permitted in Hong Kong, told CNN 193 people have died "at the hands of the Chinese government".

China denies the accusation and labels Falun Gong an "[Chinese government's slanderous term omitted]".

At the National Press club in Washington, three practitioners told a press conference their stories of persecution by Chinese police.

One woman, Amy Lee, told how she was arrested, beaten and, after fleeing to the United States, remains separated from her husband and child.

She said she attempted a hunger strike during her detention but police fed her through a tube forced down her nose.

Another practitioner and U.S. citizen Jimmy Zou spoke of torture during a visit to China when he was detained and arrested for admitting he was a Falun Gong follower.

Small numbers in Hong Kong Falun Gong organizers restricted protest numbers to around 40 to comply with Territory regulations.

Practitioners handed out brochures to highlight the "inhuman treatment" of Falun Gong followers in China and a group demonstrated the mind and body exercise under the watchful eye of a few police.

Hong Kong Organizer Sharon Xu told CNN "we're here to remember the 193 fellow practitioners who have died because of their continuing practice.

"Fifteen of them have died in the first four weeks of that the Human Rights Commission was in session in Geneva," she said.

"All we can do is to keep appealing to the people around the world to let them know what is going on in China.

"We want to let them know how serious the situation is not only for the men and women who died of the persecution but to think about their families and other people who have been subjected to unfair treatment and sent to labor camps and to mental hospitals."

China rejects abuse allegations in Beijing Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue defended the crackdown and complained about news reports focusing on abuses that China says have not occurred.

Falun Gong flyers accuse China of torture and brutally beating followers

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Falun Gong attracted millions of members during the 1990s with a mix of spirituality, meditation and exercise. Fearing the group could challenge [party's name omitted] rule, the Chinese government banned it in July 1999.

The United States has cited repression against Falun Gong in the proposed resolution.