The Pretoria News (South Africa): Chinese bar Pretoria News from art museum

July 14, 2004

Journalists were yesterday refused entry to the grounds of the Pretoria Art Museum to report on Deputy Prime Minister Chen Zhili's visit to promote Chinese culture. A Pretoria News team dispatched to cover that visit, as well as a peaceful protest by Falun Gong followers near the museum, was barred, seemingly by Chinese security officials, from even crossing the park to get to their vehicle.

After having briefly interviewed several of the demonstrators who had gathered on the opposite side of the sidewalk to the museum, the Pretoria News reporter and photographer made their way back to the museum.

However, even after having shown their Press cards, the journalists were still denied permission to walk across the pavement to get to their vehicle in the parking lot.

Several requests were made for the Chinese officers to identify themselves which they flatly refused. They would only gesture "no entry" with their hands.

This led to journalists asking for assistance from members of the South African Police Service.

A police captain "gave permission" for them to cross the park. The Chinese entourage insisted on walking next to them, jostling them all the way to the entrance of the museum.

The media requested access to the museum, to which an organiser responded: "You are too late to come in."

The Falun Gong protesters staged a peaceful demonstration under the watchful eye of the unidentified Chinese security officials.

They were highlighting what they referred to as the "persecution of millions of Chinese people at all levels in the entire educational system".

Jie Liu, a spokesman for the group, claimed in a statement that at least 61 students, teachers and professors had been tortured to death for being members and practitioners of Falun Gong.

Rudolph Jansen, of Lawyers for Human Rights, has been engaged by Falun Gong representatives. Jansen said the case was in its early phases and, should it go to court, it would be a first for South African law to "exercise universal jurisdiction in respect of a crime".

He said: "We are waiting for a draft Bill to be passed in Parliament before we can continue."

Jansen said there were 16 other countries currently fighting cases against the Chinese officials allegedly responsible for the death of Falun Gong practitioners.

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