European Activities Highlighting Article 23 and the Loss of Freedom in Hong Kong

International Human Rights Association of Austria Holds Press Conference to Criticise the Hong Kong Regime and Its Proposed Anti-subversion Law

The International Human Rights Association of Austria held a press conference in Vienna on December 10, 2002, International Human Rights Day, to announce its news release stating its opposition to Article 23 in Hong Kong. The President of the association criticised the Hong Kong government for its proposed "anti-subversion law" and elaborated on the legislation's harmful effects on Hong Kong's freedom and democracy.

The President of the International Human Rights Association of Austria and Spokesman of Austria Falun Dafa Information Centre making speeches	A reporter interviews a spokesman for Austria Falun Dafa Information Centre

A spokesman for the Austria Falun Dafa Information Centre was invited to give a speech at the conference. He first introduced Falun Gong to the reporters and exposed the Jiang regime's brutal persecution of Falun Gong practitioners during the last three and one half years. He stated that the Hong Kong government's new anti-subversion law is a gangplank to extend the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners to Hong Kong.

Falun Gong Practitioners in Austria Clarify the Truth on International Human Rights Day and Expose the Hong Kong Government's Deceitful "Anti-Subversion Law"

Falun Dafa practitioners in Austria held truth-clarification activities in downtown Vienna on December 10, 2002, International Human Rights Day. Dafa practitioners introduced passers-by to the Hong Kong government's "anti-subversion law," which is a pretext for persecuting Falun Gong in Hong Kong, and will cause long-term harm to Hong Kong's future. Many Austrians and tourists from other countries signed the letter to the Hong Kong Authorities to oppose the legislation on Article 23. Chinese people passing by also came to learn the truth and asked for Dafa literature.

European Parliament Holds Hearings on Hong Kong's Anti-subversion Law; Falun Gong Practitioners Are Invited to Speak

On December 11, 2002, the European Parliament held hearings on Hong Kong's anti-subversion law. Three Falun Gong practitioners, including an Ireland resident, a Hong Kong resident and a former British diplomat were invited to give speeches at the hearing

Mr. Zhao Ming, a resident of Ireland, recounted the persecution he suffered in China: illegal arrest, forced labour without trial, torture, and attempted brainwashing. He said that the people of Hong Kong would face the same situation as Chinese people if the anti-subversion law were passed.

Hong Kong resident Ms. Wang talked about the persecution she suffered in China. She was illegally detained, intimidated and beaten for appealing for Falun Gong in China, and was unjustly treated by Hong Kong police during her peaceful appeal there. From her own experience, she pointed out the possible harmful effects of the Article 23 legislation to the Hong Kong people and other countries and regions.

A 90-year-old Falun Gong practitioner who was a senior diplomat in the British foreign diplomatic system and also a member of Britain's House of Lords elaborated on the dangers of the "anti-subversion" law from Hong Kong's history and related international rules and pointed out the duties of the European Parliament and British government in maintaining Hong Kong's freedom and the people's basic rights.

The Chairman of the meeting expressed his appreciation to Falun Gong practitioners and his position of firmly opposing the Article 23 legislation.