Falun Gong group urges leniency towards charged 15

Singapore's Falun Gong society has appealed for the Government to show leniency towards 15 of the movement's members who have been charged with holding an illegal demonstration.

Tian Moon Toon, chairman of the Falun Buddha Society, also attempted to create distance between the legally registered group and those facing trial, saying it had no connection with the New Year's Eve stand-off at which the 15 were detained.

'The society appeals to the Singapore Government to show leniency to those arrested,' Mr Moon said.

The 15 were charged after mounting a vigil last Sunday to draw attention to alleged human rights abuses committed by authorities in China against Falun Gong members, including deaths in detention. The Singapore detainees, who include eight Chinese nationals, also face charges that they obstructed police officers at the vigil, which was attended by about 80 Falun Gong followers.

'The Falun Buddha Society (Singapore) is a legal organisation registered in July 1996,' Mr Tian said. 'Since its registration, it has peacefelly promoted the practice of Falun Gong. The society does not condone activities by its members or Falun Gong practitioners which break the law in Singapore.' Under Singapore law, all groups must obtain a permit to hold demonstrations.

Protest and dissent - either against the Government or other groups - is rare.