Press Release 22-11-07 For Immediate Release
CIPFG Condemns Beijing’s Olympic Ban
Falun Gong adherents barred from 2008 Summer Olympics
(Vancouver Island, Canada) On November 8, 2007, Li Zhanjun, News Director of the Beijing Olympics media centre,
responded to Western criticism of religious restrictions made by Beijing, saying that the Chinese communist regime would
allow athletes and tourists to bring religious objects for self-use during the Olympics.
However, this policy would not apply to Falun Gong practitioners: "Falun Gong texts, Falun Gong activities in China are
forbidden," and, "Foreigners who come to China must respect and abide by the laws of China." (AP)
The Coalition to Investigate the Persecution of Falun Gong (CIPFG) is distressed at this policy which is in direct
violation of article 5 of the Olympic Charter, which states that: "Any form of discrimination with regard to a country
or a person on grounds of race, religion, politics, gender or otherwise is incompatible with belonging to the Olympic
Movement."
As well, Article 36 of China’s own constitution declares that citizens "enjoy freedom of religious belief," and that,
"No state organ, public organization or individual may compel citizens to believe in, or not to believe in, any
religion; nor may they discriminate against citizens who believe in, or do not believe in, any religion."
This lack of transparency in terms of regulations is posing serious obstacles to Falun Gong practitioners and other
religious groups.
Not only does this latest order further demonstrate the Chinese regime’s unwillingness to fulfill its promise made in
2001 to the IOC of improving human rights in China, but also it is clear proof that any hope of bringing improvement to
Chinese human rights through the Olympics is a hope not shared by the Beijing Government.
For instance, in April 2007, Beijing’s Ministry of Public Service issued a black list barring ‘antagonistic elements’
from attending the Games including adherents of Falun Gong, religious infiltrators and others.
Clive Ansley, Canada President of CIPFG said: “Li Zhanjun's response demonstrates that the Chinese government's policy
of persecuting Falun Gong and its practitioners continues unabated. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has overtly
extended the regime's persecution of Falun Gong to the Olympics - a most noble institution that is respected worldwide.
Such abuse and discrimination against the followers of a peaceful spiritual teaching not only trash the Olympic Spirit,
but also constitute a spurning of fundamental morality and ethics in the international society. Having called upon the
world not to politicize the Olympics, this is clear evidence that the CCP itself is doing so.”
The CIPFG calls on:
• the IOC to face up to and stop Beijing's severe breach of the Olympic Charter, re-consider the eligibility of the
Communist regime to stage the Olympic Games, given the steadily worsening human rights situation in China today, and
discuss the possibility of holding the Olympics in another nation;
• the international community and athletes from around the world to condemn Beijing’s trashing of the Olympic spirit and
its scorn for the Olympic Charter;
• the Chinese regime to stop using the Olympics as a cover for launching a crackdown on peaceful people of faith both in
China and abroad and to halt the persecution of Falun Gong and all Chinese citizens.
“The whole world is about to learn what religious repression ‘made in China’ means. Beijing's characterization of Falun
Gong as 'illegal' is a clumsy attempt to justify a program of government sanctioned violence and persecution, ” Ansley
said, adding that there is no basis in the Chinese Constitution or any other Chinese law for Beijing’s claim that Falun
Gong is illegal in China.”
For more information, please visit: http://humanrightstorch.org
New Zealand CIPFG members include: Carole Curtis, Barrister and Solicitor; Richard McLeod, Barrister and Solicitor; Dr
Cathy Casey Auckland City Councillor; Barry Wilson, Barrister and former President of the Auckland Council for Civil
Liberties; Heval Hylan, International human rights lawyer; Pan Qing, Democracy advocate.
"The Olympics and Crimes Against Humanity Cannot Coexist in China" CIPFG - the Coalition to Investigate the Persecution
of Falun Gong in China