AFP: Falun Gong Protests As UN Commission Opens Human Rights Talks

GENEVA, Mar 19, 2001 -- (Agence France Presse) Up to 800 followers of China's banned religious group Falun Gong protested in front of the UN's European headquarters here on Monday to coincide with the opening of the annual session of the Human Rights Commission.

The protestors denounced the persecution of the group's followers by Beijing and held banners calling for "Truthfulness, Benevolence, Forbearance".

Carrying out meditation exercises in silence in the square in front of the building, they called on delegates gathering inside to condemn the violation of religious freedoms in China.

Although China's human rights record is a yearly theme at the Commission, Beijing has repeatedly used a procedural measure to avoid condemnation.

The UN Human Rights Commission, made up of 53 members, meets here until April 27 to carry out studies and prepare recommendations on human rights and look into allegations of violations.

((c) 2001 Agence France Presse)

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