(Clearwisdom.net) The Hong Kong High Court announced a verdict on March 23, 2007, in the case of four Taiwanese Falun Gong practitioners charging the Hong Kong Immigration Office for unlawful deportation, barring their entry into Hong Kong and using violence against them. The judge withdrew the Taiwanese Falun Gong practitioner plaintiffs' application, asking that the decision denying their entry be ruled unlawful. The judge also stated that the police's actions at the Immigration Office, in which they used violence during the deportation, were not excessive. Vice President of Taiwan Annette Lu said that many laws in Hong Kong did not conform to international standards. "Under the direction of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), Hong Kong is by no means a land of freedom." Spokesperson for the plaintiffs Attorney Chu Woan-chyi called the verdict "ridiculous." The verdict is likely the result of pressure by the CCP. It was an example of the extent to which Hong Kong's judiciary has regressed. The plaintiffs are planning to appeal and will submit a report to the United Nations and the U.S. State Department.
Vice President Annette Lu attended a human rights forum on October 14, 2006. The media interviewed her and paid close attention to the report concerning the CCP's organ harvesting from living people.
Upon hearing the verdict, Vice President Annette Lu called for Taiwanese to be cautious when entering Hong Kong. Lu said, "It indicates that Hong Kong is by no means a land of freedom under the direction of the Chinese Communist Party...In Taiwan, even if an AP reporter says something inappropriate, we wouldn't expel her or deny her visa application. Hong Kong isn't a place of freedom. We need to be careful when we are in Hong Kong."
Liu Te-hsun, the Deputy Chief Officer of the Mainland Affairs Council, expressed concern with the outcome of the first human rights case between Hong Kong and Taiwan. Mr. Liu said, "The verdict is very disappointing. Hong Kong has repeatedly declared the independence of its judiciary system, its respect for human rights and its efforts concerning religious freedom. However, the verdict seems to be in contrast to these principles. I believe Hong Kong will have to face the judgment of the world on this aspect." (Recording 1)
Mr. Liu recalled the topic at a media discussion at the 10th Anniversary of Hong Kong's handover : "Hong Kong Faces China, But Turns Its Back to the World." He thought it was a pity to see the regression of Hong Kong, which used to be known for having freedom and being ruled by law. Citizens of Hong Kong must have strong feelings about it.(Recording 2)
Mr. Liu supports Falun Gong practitioners' plan to appeal. He said everyone should make the effort to get the protection he is entitled to. The plaintiffs should try to reach their goal. He wished for a fair trial of the appeal. He stressed that Taiwan would provide assistance through its office in Hong Kong.
The Coalition to Investigate the Persecution of Falun Gong, Asia Branch (CIPFG ASIA) was established on December 10, 2006. Lai Ching-te, President of CIPFG ASIA and member of the Legislative Yuan, and Chiu Huang-chuan, Vice President and attorney, both signed an open letter to Communist Party officials. They mailed the letters that same day via certified mail.
Vice President Chiu Huang-chuan of CIPFG said the verdict wasn't convincing at all, that the Hong Kong court had obviously been manipulated by the government and the CCP, and that unfair trials would leave a stain on the history of human rights and its judiciary. "The people will eventually contest today's verdict."
Mr. Chiu stressed that broad discretionary authority wasn't unlimited. "Of course the judge knows why the Hong Kong government didn't allow the plaintiffs to enter. It was because of Falun Gong. However, it is ridiculous, because Falun Gong isn't illegal in Hong Kong. How can they deny entry of the plaintiffs because they are Falun Gong practitioners? They didn't provide the reason in the verdict, but claimed the Immigration Office had broad discretionary authority. The decision to deny the plaintiffs' entry indicated the decision was influenced by the government's administration. Behind the Hong Kong government is the Chinese Communist Party's central government. The terrible part of this verdict is that it shows that the CCP's central government can manipulate the operation of Hong Kong." (Recording 3)
Mr. Chiu said we should remind the judge of the Hong Kong court, "Gods are watching us. Hstory is watching us." The test of history is coming soon.
On February 21, 2003, about 80 Falun Gong practitioners from Taiwan were refused entry to Hong Kong to participate in an Experience Sharing Conference, even though they all had valid visas. They were detained and deported by force. Several woman Falun Gong practitioners were injured. Four of the returned practitioners and two practitioners from Hong Kong and one representing the Hong Kong Falun Gong Association and the other a contact person filed a judicial review with the High Court in Hong Kong, accusing the Hong Kong government of denying the plaintiffs entry for their common "Falun Gong backgrounds, and because of their intention to participate in Falun Gong activities on their trip to Hong Kong."
The action is the first human rights case involving both Hong Kong and Taiwan and is seen a a test of "One Country Two Systems" and the independence--or lack thereof--of Hong Kong's judiciary after its handover. The case has drawn the attention of the international community.
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