Monday, 20 May 2002

Zhao Ming returned to Ireland on 24 March after being detained in China for over two years and serving 18 months in a labour camp because of his adherence to Falun Gong. Ming is now back in the Computer Science Department at Trinity pursuing his Masters Degree.

Ming was initially arrested during a trip home in early 2000 because of his association with the banned meditation practice Falun Gong. His sentence was extended 10 months in May 2001 because of his refusal to renounce his faith. He was subjected to torture and sleep deprivation during his incarceration in Tuan He Labour Camp outside Beijing. Ming still suffers from numbness and pain in his legs due to his treatment in the camp.

The Friends of Zhao Ming, a group co-founded by the GSU, orchestrated the campaign for Ming's release. Trinity students were instrumental in helping to bring their colleague back to Dublin. They participated in several demonstrations which directed the attention of the Irish and Chinese authorities to Ming's case. In April 2001, the GSU organised a letterwriting campaign in which students signed approximately 2000 letters advocating for his release. The campaign came to a head during the Dublin visit of the Chinese Premier in September 2001, when the Taoiseach Bertie Ahern publicly called for Ming's release. Trinity Provost John Hegarty also advocated for Ming's return to Trinity when he met Premier Rongji at a reception at Dublin Castle. Thanks to everyone who helped in the campaign to bring Ming back safely to Dublin.

At a reception in May 2002 to celebrate Ming's return and thank all those who made it possible, the Friends of Zhao Ming announced that the group would re-form under the name the Friends of Falun Gong to work towards the end of the persecution of [practitioners] of the popular meditation practice. Zhao Ming himself will be involved in the new group.

Graduate Students' Union, Trinity College Dublin

http://www.gsu.tcd.ie/fullstory.php?id=92