Fri, Feb 15, 02

CHINA: Up to 40 Western members of the Falun Gong spiritual group were arrested following scuffles with Chinese police in Tiananmen Square yesterday.

Scores of police tackled the demonstrators, kicking and punching some in the face, before wrestling them into vans, according to witnesses.

The clash happened after the demonstrators, who included British citizens, unfurled yellow banners and shouted "Falun Gong is good" in a protest against China's ban on the movement. Astonished - in the heart of Beijing for the Chinese Lunar New Year - holiday watched during the 15-minute drama.

A Falun Gong spokeswoman in New York said the demonstration was to highlight China's persecution of the movement ahead of a visit to Beijing by President Bush next Thursday.

[...]

It was the second demonstration this week by Western Falun Gong members in Tiananmen. An American and a Canadian citizen were expelled from the country after a protest on Monday. Last night security on the square was tight, with hundreds of extra police officers drafted into the vicinity. Foreigners' identity papers were checked and bags were searched before people were allowed onto the plaza.

In November, China expelled 35 foreign Falun Gong members, including an Irish citizen, after they protested on the square.

[...]

Thousands of Falun Gong members are in "re-education through labour" camps in China.

Falun Gong claims more than 1,600 followers have died as a result of abuse in police custody.

[...]

Earlier this week, a US-based religious rights group published details of secret Chinese government documents outlining attempts to crush unauthorised religious groups in China, including Falun Gong.

The eight documents outline in great detail moves by the Chinese authorities to crack down on underground Catholic churches, and the use of secret agents to infiltrate illegal Protestant congregations.

http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/world/2002/0215/2211795330A_A.html