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Chinese fugitive backs torture claims
A second Chinese fugitive has detailed allegations of human rights abuses, including the torture and brain washing of members of dissident group Falun Gong.Hao Feng Jun, 32, who says he worked as a security officer in the "610 Office" in Tianjin in China's north, claims China has a large spy network operating around the world. The 610 Office was set up by the Chinese government to examine practitioners of Falun Gong and other spiritual groups. Mr Hao has been in hiding in Melbourne since disappearing from a tour group in February. He has since sought political asylum. Mr Hao has echoed the claims of Chinese diplomat Chen Yonglin, 37, who is in hiding after abandoning his post at the Chinese consulate-general in Sydney on May 26. Mr Chen claimed China had some 1,000 spies working in Australia and said he faced persecution if he returned home after his four-year posting in Australia. Mr Hao said such persecution was common, saying he was locked up for more than 20 days for claiming the Chinese media was fabricating stories against Falun Gong. Brainwashing and torture were methods of "re-educating" people in forced labour camps, he said. "First you will be sent to a brainwashing centre, and if they are not reformed they are sent to forced labour camps," he told the independent Chinese newspaper, The Epoch Times. "There are no human rights whatsoever in these forced labour camps. "It's pretty common in forced labour camps to use torture methods ... Almost every forced labour camp uses torture methods." The former policeman also supported Mr Chen's claims that 1,000 Chinese spies were working in Australia. "I think this figure is true, I know this," Mr Hao said. "Chinese spies are not only in the Chinese consulate and embassy but also in businesses and overseas Chinese organisations." Some were sent in by the military or the national security bureau, Mr Hao said, while others came in as investors or technical personnel. "They are countless, wherever there are Chinese communities or not, there are Chinese special agents." Mr Hao said he felt it was his duty to speak out in support of Mr Chen. "First of all I think I cannot bear what they've done to Falun Gong and other religious organisations because that's not something I want to do," he said. "Chen Yonglin is a diplomat and he stepped forward to speak clearly for Falun Gong and democratic activists. I think as a policeman I have a responsibility to do the same." Posted by: Spavirt Pheng6042 2005-06-08 |
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