FALUN GONG MEMBER SEEKS ASYLUM IN THE U.S.

In New York, a Chinese woman who belongs to the Chinese religious movement Falun Gong has applied for asylum in the US. Falun Gong members have come under recent attack by the Chinese government, which has labeled it a dissident movement.

The attorney representing the woman believes the case will eventually create a new legal precedent because of the combination of religion and politics in Falun Gong. Asylum law protects those who are persecuted on the basis of religious and political beliefs, but it is unclear where Falun Gong would be classified.

The Chinese government does appear to be cracking down on the movement, which it outlawed in July. It recently asked the British government to deny entry to Li Hongzhi, the leader of Falun Gong. Great Britian refused the request, saying that Falun Gong is not an illegal organization and that Falun leader Li Hongzhi is not an international criminal. Also, at the end of August, China revealed plans to prosecute top members of the movement. It is expected that they will be charged with subversion and could be imprisoned for life.

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