February 14, 2002 VANCOUVER (CP) -- Six Canadians were likely among more than 40 western Falun Gong practitioners arrested in Beijing on Thursday, members of the [group] here say. The protesters travelled there separately and were planning to display banners in Tiananmen Square, said Joel Chipkar, a Toronto practitioner who contacted officials after the Canadians failed to call home at a predetermined time.

Chipkar identified the Canadians as Victoria teacher Palfrey and Hayley of Vancouver.

Robinson, a Vancouver Falun Gong practitioner, said he spoke with Palfrey on a cellular phone as she attempted to make her way to the square. "At that time she had five people following her and she was trying to make it to where they were going to do the protest," he said. "She sounded really worried."

[...]

"The government of Canada is aware of the detention of foreigners in China for demonstrating in Tiananmen Square for Falun Gong beliefs and we understand there are Canadians in the group," said Marie-Christine Lilkoff, a spokeswoman for the federal Department of Foreign Affairs.

"The Canadian embassy is in touch with the Chinese authorities. We're providing families with consular assistance."

Lilkoff would not comment on the number of people detained nor their names.

[...]

The movement has attracted tens of millions of followers with its slow-motion exercises, and [...]the teachings of its founder, a former clerk named Li Hongzhi.

New York-based Falun Gong activists said as many as 100 followers from western countries had gone to China to demonstrate.

They said 14 European members were detained in raids on their hotel rooms before the protest. These detentions were in addition to those at Tiananmen Square.

"This event was timed before (U.S. President George W. Bush's) visit in the hopes he will bring this up ... with the president of China," said Robinson. Bush is scheduled to arrive in Beijing next week. Falun Gong supporters abroad have claimed 358 practitioners have been killed while in captivity, but Chinese authorities have denied mistreating detainees.

They have said some practitioners died after refusing food or medical treatment.

A Toronto university student deported earlier this week said he was mistreated by Chinese officials after being detained 27 hours.

Jason Loftus said he was punched and choked after he was arrested during a protest in Tiananmen Square.

In November, 35 westerners were expelled from China after a protest. A Canadian woman who staged a lone protest last month was held overnight and expelled.

http://www.canoe.ca/WorldTicker/CANOE-wire.China-Cda-Banned-Sect.html