Falun Gong [practitioners] from across the nation yesterday evening gathered at Taipei's Ta-an Forest Park to commemorate the third anniversary of China's ban of the meditation group.

PHOTO: CHIANG YING-YING, TAIPEI TIMES

Presidential Office Secretary-General Chen Shih-meng and ruling DPP politicians called on China to respect human rights and religious freedom on the third anniversary of China's ban on the Falun Gong movement yesterday.

"China should give up such senseless cruelties and stop discrediting the group," [...]Chen said.

Chen said China's accusations are slanderous because the Falun Gong [practitioners] he knows are good people.

Chen made the remarks at a memorial ceremony in Taipei's Ta-an Forest Park for deceased and oppressed Falun Gong [practitioners].