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Chen Supporters step up asylum bid
A FORMER Chinese official in hiding in Australia sent a message today to his supporters as they rallied to pressure the Federal Government to grant him political asylum.Hao Feng Jun, a former security officer in China, is in a secret location after backing claims by Chinese diplomat Chen Yonglin that Beijing is running a network of spies and informants in Australia. Mr Hao also supported Mr Chen's claims that members of the Falun Gong movement had been persecuted by the Chinese government. Mr Hao and Mr Chen, who abandoned his post at the Chinese consulate-general in Sydney on May 26, have sought political asylum, fearful of persecution if they return to China. The Government will not publicly discuss their bid for asylum, nor comment on reports Mr Chen sent a letter to the immigration department that had not been passed on to Foreign Minister Alexander Downer. About 40 supporters of the pair rallied in Melbourne's CBD in a show of support. "Through the incidents recently I strongly feel the vast democracy and freedom in this beautiful land of Australia, I love it here - I love everything here," Mr Hao said in a letter read to the Melbourne rally by one of his supporters. In Sydney, about 50 Falun Gong practitioners staged a demonstration in the city's Belmore Park to highlight a legal action they have initiated against Foreign Minister Alexander Downer. The group, banned in China but legal in Australia, says the rules set out by the foreign affairs department to restrict their protests outside the Chinese Embassy in Canberra are illegal. Since March 2002, Mr Downer has banned the use of large banners and musical instruments by protesters against Chinese government torture and abuse of Falun Gong practitioners. Australian practitioners this week filed a suit against Mr Downer in the ACT Supreme Court, alleging his department unfairly limited their freedom of expression. They are seeking an injunction against Mr Downer. Posted by: Spavirt Pheng6042 2005-06-11 |
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