The Epoch Times Sydney Staff

December 7, 2005

Falun Gong practitioner Jane Dai meditates outside Parliament house. Her husband was killed in China after being taken into custody by Chinese police because he refused to renounce his belief in Falun Gong. (The Epoch Times)

Australian Falun Gong practitioners have been appealing continually outside Parliament House during the final two weeks of parliament 2005 for an end to restrictions placed on their vigil outside the Chinese Embassy in Canberra.

About 100 practitioners listened to speeches from pro-democracy activists and the two high profile Chinese defectors, Mr. Chen Yonglin and Mr. Hao Fengjun, who called on Senators to support a Greens-initiated motion urging the government to cease the restrictions, which have been in place since the visit of former Chinese Foreign Minister Tang Jiaxuan in March 2002.

"I know that there are a lot of demonstrations in front of the Chinese overseas missions, but Australia is the only democratic government that tries to limit the demonstrations," said Mr. Chen.

"I believe that this is a shame for democracy," added the former diplomat.

On the day before the Chinese Foreign Minister's visit, Australian Federal Police politely but firmly ordered silent appellants to remove their banners from the roadside opposite the Chinese Embassy in Canberra. The appellants were engaging in peaceful protest against the Chinese Government's brutal campaign against Falun Gong.

The orders restricting the appeal outside the Chinese Embassy have been issued by Foreign Minister Alexander Downer in the form of a 30-day certificate. Mr. Downer has signed 46 of these certificates that prevent Falun Gong practitioners from using audio equipment, displaying large banners, or affixing signs to legally parked vehicles.

Labor MP Chris Bowen addressed the appellants outside Parliament House last week on Tuesday November 29, saying he believes the restrictions are an unacceptable breach of Australians' rights to peacefully protest.

"Just because I'm not from Falun Gong doesn't mean I shouldn't stand up for their rights to do what they would like in a peaceful way," Mr. Bowen told Sound of Hope radio in an interview afterwards.

"[In] a free and democratic country people should be able to protest in a peaceful way and Falun Gong has been denied that right and I think that is a shame for Australia."

The Australian Democrats have long been actively calling upon the Australian government to change its attitude towards the Chinese Government. Senator Natasha Stott-Despoja has moved Senate motions relating to this issue, although she has had trouble garnering the support of the major parties.

"I think there is a reticence to be seen to criticize China, particularly in the context of trade and other negotiations," Senator Despoja told The Epoch Times.

"We don't like being mindful of labor standards or environmental impact. We don't like human rights debates to get in the way of what might be positive trade discussions and outcomes and that is unacceptable to me."

"The Australian Democrats are very concerned that people-Falun Gong practitioners who protest outside the Chinese Embassy can be arrested. It is quite an extraordinary situation so we have expressed our concerns to Minister Downer and certainly our solidarity, if you like, with Falun Gong practitioners."

"In fact, I have never seen more peaceful protests in my life than those that are conducted outside the Parliament House in Australia but also, like they used to be outside the Chinese Embassy."

A Senate Committee report tabled last month found that Australia should take advantage of all avenues to raise human rights with the Chinese Government, not ruling out Free Trade Agreement channels.

The report said, "Many witnesses believed that Australia could do more to encourage China to improve its human rights record. In particular, some emphasized that a timid approach could do more damage than good to Australia's relationship with China. Most urged the government to participate in strong and vigorous debate."

Democrats Senator Andrew Bartlett agrees.

"Australia's approach with China, at least at a government level, is extraordinarily weak. [Human rights issues are raised] behind closed doors in a way to minimize any sort of pressure and the Chinese Government don't even have to acknowledge there is a problem let alone act upon it and I think that is just not acceptable," Senator Bartlett told The Epoch Times.

"[In] allowing the facts to get out into the open and acknowledging rather than pretending they're not there would be a pretty good start I think."

Falun Gong spokesperson John Deller said the Australian government should "openly and clearly" call for an end to the persecution of Falun Gong.

"Having to deal with the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) or the Chinese regime may be a fact in terms of our external relations, but we should be dealing with them on our terms, expressing our values of democracy and freedom, not kowtowing on the premise that we'll lose trade," Mr. Deller said.

"The appeal [outside parliament] is to really call on our government to speak up openly to condemn the persecution and call for its end, and also for Mr. Downer to stop issuing those certificates which make us complicit really, in the persecution, by having Australia's voice in unison with the CCP rather than in unison with the values of the Australian people."

A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade did not answer specific questions relating to this article, but said the Government is considering its response to the Senate Committee's report and will respond in due course.

The motion put forward by the Australian Greens was not passed in the Senate.

Source http://www.theepochtimes.com/news/5-12-7/35419.html