Falun Gong demonstrators call on vice-president to end persecution

A protester outside Dublin Castle where Xi Jinping was due to sign a trade agreement.Photograph: Eric Luke

TIM O'BRIEN

PROTEST: PRACTITIONERS OF Falun Gong gathered outside Dublin Castle as Chinese vice-president Xi Jinping was due to sign trade agreements with Taoiseach Enda Kenny.

About 50 adherents of the spiritual discipline yesterday called on Mr Xi to end persecution of Falun Gong in China. They said practitioners had been tortured, imprisoned and had their organs harvested since 1999.

In an address Dr Declan Lyons, consultant psychiatrist at St Patrick’s University Hospital, said Mr Xi had a unique opportunity to show leadership in his country and end the hatred of some officials which he said was bad for Falun Gong, bad for the Chinese government and bad for China.

Ming Zhao, a graduate of Trinity College, spoke of returning to China as a student in 1999 and having his passport confiscated. He then spent almost two years in prison where he said he was tortured routinely. After extensive pressure from the international community, he was released and is now an Irish citizen.

“Words are very powerful,” he said. “And my release was proof that a small country like Ireland can make a difference. It can influence Xi Jinping to deal with the officials who are now imprisoning each other and who could do great damage to China.”

Mr Xi’s visit to the Cliffs of Moher was briefly interrupted by a sole protester shouting: “Free Tibet!” and “Stop Killing Innocent Tibetans!”

Gardaí intercepted Sinéad Ní Ghairbhith as she walked towards Mr Xi holding a “Free Tibet” placard.

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