NEW YORK, June 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- According to the Falun Dafa Information Center, China's Ministry of Public Security plans to investigate and bar thousands from the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. Among the targets are: International Olympic Committee members, staff and guests; referees; national and regional IOC members; sponsors who have signed contracts with the IOC; athletes and delegates; media; and anyone who falls within 43 categories, including, of course, Falun Gong adherents and supporters.
The shocking scope and range of investigative targets was outlined in a secret directive issued in April and sent to all police stations, bureaus and autonomous regions throughout China. The directive calls upon all levels of China's regime to "cooperate," but adds that it is "vital to keep this directive and all associated activities secret ... it is of utmost importance to give the look of an easygoing environment to the outside, but in fact keep a firm handle on all activities."
During bidding in 2001, Beijing pledged that winning the 2008 Olympics would help promote the development of human rights in China. Less than two months ago, at the conclusion of the IOC Coordination Commission's eighth visit to China to inspect progress towards hosting the 2008 Olympic Games, Hein Verbruggen, Chairman of the Commission, told members of the Beijing Organising Committee for the Games of the XXXIX Olympics: "The world is watching and waiting, eager to see what Beijing and China have to offer. This puts a great responsibility on the shoulders of our partners at BOCOG, but I believe in them and their ability to show the world the potential of their country and their people in the 21st century."
The highly coveted opportunity to host the International Olympic Games clearly has been advantageous to China. The Chinese Communist Party's secret directive calling for unprecedented espionage targeting anyone associated with the Games or considered an "enemy" reveals the regime's true nature and shows what Beijing has to offer. On the anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre, Friends of Falun Gong USA calls upon the IOC to investigate and hold China accountable to its pledges and to the spirit of the Games.
Friends of Falun Gong USA
CONTACT: Susan Prager, Communications Director of Friends of Falun Gong
USA, +1-862-668-6382, or sprager(at)fofg(dot)org
