TAIPEI—Chu Wan-Chi, a Taiwanese Human Rights attorney was refused entry into Hong Kong by Custom Officials on the eve of the 10th anniversary of Hong Kong's take-over by the Chinese communist regime.
After being detained at the Hong Kong airport, the Hong Kong Immigration Department deported her forcibly by using an anti-riot blanket. Hong Kong legislator and attorney Ho Chun-yan, confirmed that Immigration Officer Chan Man Ho said the order came from a "higher authority."
Human Rights Law Foundation lawyer Chu Wan-Chi has served as one of the representatives in Taiwan of the "Global Coalition against Article 23 Legislation." Chu was also among the 80 Falun Gong practitioners who were violently deported by the Hong Kong government in 2003. A lawsuit was filed against the Hong Kong government for violating its own basic laws.
Riot Police Instead of a Lawyer
Hong Kong Custom Officials confiscated Chu's passport and her Hong Kong visa on June 24. During detention, Chu requested a lawyer many times. The Custom Officials at first agreed to arrange for a lawyer. However, the next morning, the riot police came instead of the lawyer and forcibly took her to the airport to deport her. Chu decided to walk to the gate on her own out of self-respect. However, the plane had already departed and she was returned to the detention room to await the next plane out.
Several hours later, Immigration Officer Chan Man Ho advised Chu she would be departing on the 12:20 p.m. flight. Chu requested to telephone attorney Ho Chun-yan. Ho is also the Chairman of the Hong Kong Democratic Party. Ho appealed to Chen to reconsider the decision. Chen revealed that a higher authority had made the decision and the Immigration Office has no authority on this matter.
Before 12 pm, Chu was forcibly wrapped in an anti-riot blanket by six female policewomen and wheeled into the 12:20 p.m. flight to Taipei. Because of an air-conditioning malfunction in the plane, the flight was delayed for half an hour. Chu is now back in Taiwan.
I Was Here Just Last Week
Chu Wan-Chi stated that she holds a valid Hong Kong visa. She had just returned from a Forum in Hong Kong four days prior. The trip on June 24 was to participate in a legal activity in Hong Kong. She says, "How come within four days, I have been classified as a problem figure?" Chu believes this is related to her identity as a Falun Gong Human Rights lawyer. She wholeheartedly condemns this violent deportation.
Hu Jintao will be visiting Hong Kong on July 1. To prevent any so called "unwelcome people" into Hong Kong, the Hong Kong government implemented a strict monitoring system to deny issuing visas to anyone on the Chinese communist regime's black list, and even to disregard any visas issued previously.
According to a local travel agency, in recent visa applications from 110 Falun Gong practitioner's, as many as 52 have been rejected. Some of them are children. It's believed that the entry permits will not be issued until after July 1 has passed, the 10th anniversary of China's take over of Hong Kong.
Chang Ching-Shi, Chairman of the Taiwan Falun Dafa Association, strongly condemns the Hong Kong government for the violent deportation of Chu. He stated, " the Hong Kong government's decision to crush human rights will have adverse effects on Hong Kong's freedom and economic development in the international community."
