Pacific Magazine, CNMI: Falun Gong Practitioner Gets Refugee Status

November 25, 2005

A final grant of refugee protection has been given to a Falun Gong practitioner after successfully convincing the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands (CNMI) Attorney General's Office (AGO) that she would face persecution or torture if she is deported back to China, The Marianas Variety learnt.

The final decision came seven months after the AGO gave her a conditional grant of protection on 08 April.

The Chinese government has a track record of widespread persecution of members of Falun Gong -- a gentle spiritual practice consisting of exercises and moral teachings, which the Communist government in Beijing considers a threat.

The 46-year-old Chinese national is the first to be afforded refugee status in the CNMI since the AGO issued regulations on refugee protection in Sept. 2004.

Other applications for refugee protection are pending with the AGO.

Vincent Perez, spokesman of Falun Gong or Falun Dafa in the CNMI, said the woman was authorized to work in the commonwealth.

However, he said that "due to the current dismal economic state of Saipan," the refugee has not been able to find a job yet.

Mr Perez, who helped the woman apply for refugee protection, said it was unclear whether the woman also has the legal status of a local resident.

Between April and November, the AGO conducted additional background checks on the woman, who has been on Saipan since 2003.

Under the AGO regulations, only foreign nationals who have been ordered deported by the CNMI Superior Court, or have been denied entry at a CNMI port of entry, are eligible to apply for refugee protection.

These foreign nationals must also prove that they face persecution or torture in their home countries.