11 Falun Gong practitioners were arrested Saturday by French police for wearing clothing with the words “Falun Gong” on it. Many attribute these arrests to pressure from Chinese authorities to keep Falun Gong hidden from visiting Chinese groups.

On January 24 and 26, ahead of Chinese Chairman Hu Jintao’s visit to France, 30 to 40 Falun Gong practitioners from England, Germany, France, Taiwan, and Norway were distributing truth-clarifying leaflets or simply wearing yellow scarves with the words “Falun Gong” on them on the streets of Paris. They were taken to a police station, had their passports inspected and their literature taken away, and released after being detained for four hours. Some practitioners were taken away without having distributed any flyers or doing anything other than being on the street. Some were even detained without wearing any clothing or apparel to indicate they were associated with Falun Gong. French police even conducted a forceful search of a female German practitioner. The French public was aghast upon hearing news of what happened. When some practitioners were being released, the police filled in “no reason” for the “reason for detention” entry on their logs. Some policemen admitted that their actions were quite inappropriate. Several policemen said helplessly, “This was an order from above, they have to think about the French economy.”

We urgently request that the French Government take immediate actions to correct its wrongdoing to prevent further damage to France’s dignity and image in the international community.

Learn more:

French MPs snub China president by BBC World News

Chinese leader’s visit to France stirs controversy by AFP staff reporters

Chinese Embassy Challenges the French Spirit by Zhou Ren-ou/The Epoch Times

Hu Visits France editorial by the International Herald Tribune

Falun Gong, Amnesty International and French MPs denounce China’s repression of human rights by AsiaNews

French Police Arrest American, UK, Danish, French Citizens for “Wearing Yellow” During Chinese Visit by Falun Info Net

Paris Visit By Chinese Leader Solidifies Relations, Angers Activists by Eva Cahen/CNSNews.com Correspondent

Friends of Falun Gong USA’s letter to the French Ambassador by Friends of Falun Gong USA

An Open Letter to the Government of France by international human rights attorneys

The Selling of a Nation’s Soul? editorial by David Jerke, Epoch Times