Falun Gong wants its rights recognized<\/p>\n
M. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Followers of Falun Gong Indonesia filed a complaint with the
\nNational Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) Wednesday for
\nwhat they called restrictions and a clampdown on the freedom of
\ntheir association by the government.<\/p>\n
Secretary of the Association of Falun Gong Indonesia, Liman
\nKurniawan, said that the complaint reflected the peak of the
\ngroup's frustration.<\/p>\n
\"Police have always turned down our requests for permits to
\norganize gatherings that involve our own members. They insist
\nthat Falun Gong is illegal as it has no license from the Ministry
\nof Home Affairs,\" he told reporters.<\/p>\n
He said that the association had tried to obtain the license
\nin the past year, but to no avail.<\/p>\n
\"An official from the ministry has always said no license
\ncould be issued, because the Indonesian government does not want
\nto jeopardize its bilateral ties with the People's Republic of
\nChina,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Falun Gong has been outlawed in China, exposing hundreds of
\nits followers to extrajudicial prosecution by the communist
\ngovernment.<\/p>\n
Another member of Falun Gong, Fadjar Pratikto, called on the
\ngovernment to recognize the association as a mass organization in
\nIndonesia.<\/p>\n
In response to the group, Komnas HAM member Taheri Noor said
\nthe rights watchdog would write to the home ministry, foreign
\nministry and the Jakarta Police regarding the alleged
\nrestrictions.<\/p>\n
Falun Gong, or Falun Dafa, is a practice to improve health and
\nmoral qualities, relieve stress, create inner peace and develop
\nwisdom and promote spiritual growth with its principles of
\n\"truthfulness, benevolence and forbearance\".<\/p>\n
On March 3, 2002, a parade held by Falun Gong Indonesia was
\ncanceled following the objections of the Chinese Embassy.<\/p>\n
The parade, which was part of a conference, had in fact
\nsecured a permit from the National Police. It was attended by
\nparticipants from Australia, Taiwan, the United States, Hong
\nKong, Singapore, Sweden, Malaysia, Thailand, the People's
\nRepublic of China, Korea and Indonesia.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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