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The Epoch Times: German President Koehler's Handshakes Affirm Human Rights in China (Photo)

Nov. 15, 2005

Nov 13, 2005

Hu Jintao at Charlottenburg Castle, surrounded by the Press. The banner in the background reads "Bring Jiang Zemin to Justice" in Chinese. Jiang Zemin is the former head of the Chinese Communist Party responsible for initiating the persecution of Falun Gong. (The Epoch Times)

German President Horst Koehler seized the moment on Thursday to send a message to his state visitor, the head of the Chinese Communist Party Hu Jintao.

Several minutes before meeting with Hu, Koehler spontaneously walked up to a group of human rights advocates in front of the Charlottenburg Castle who were demonstrating against the dismal human rights situation in the People Republic of China.

In front of the entrance to Charlottenburg Castle, Koehler, accompanied by a small entourage, briefly left his limousine and walked over to shake hands with several demonstrators from Amnesty International and Falun Gong who had gathered on the occasion of Hu Jintao's state visit to appeal for human rights inside China.

Several participants said the German President encouraged them to continue their appeals against the persecution of Falun Gong; he would do the same in his own way. The spiritual movement, Falun Gong, has been persecuted in communist China for six years.

The Chinese regime continuously attempts to pressure foreign governments to assure that visiting Chinese officials do not have to face anyone with a different viewpoint. The Chinese regime labels anyone as oppositional who does not accept the communist ideology as the highest truth, in particular the democratic movement, Taiwanese, Falun Gong, Tibetans and Uigers.

According to the Chinese Communists, only flag waving red-Chinese government
supporters should be allowed within sight of official visitors.

Koehler gesture on Thursday once more made his posture toward China clear. He was quoted in the news magazine Spiegel, just days before Hu visit, as speaking out against business deals with "abusers against humanity." He was referring to the Peoples Republic of China.

Source http://www.theepochtimes.com/news/5-11-13/34558.html