Done By The Chinese Section of Radio France International (R.F.I.) May 26, 1994.
Over five thousand representatives from thirty-two countries attended the International Human Rights Conference held last evening in Taipei. The meeting was convened by the International Supreme Master Ching Hai Meditation Associations, the International Federation for Human Rights and the World Cultural Communication Association. The Supreme Master Ching Hai was commended with the World Humanitarian Leadership Award at the conference.
One of the major objectives of the conference was to look for a solution to the problem of the Au Lac refugees in Hong Kong. We heard that more than a hundred persons in the refugee camps in Hong Kong have committed suicide protesting against forcible repatriation.
After the conference, we especially conducted an interview with the Supreme Master Ching Hai regarding these problems.
Reporter: Supreme Master Ching Hai, recently you have been conducting extensive activities to help the Au Lac refugees. You have also called upon the international communities to care more about the Au Lac refugees in Hong Kong. During this International Human Rights Conference held in Taipei, what tangible measures have You taken to save these Au Lac refugees?
Master: We have reminded and pleaded with the representatives from all countries and places to accept more Au Lac refugees, because those suffering people are also the children of God. Sometimes God tests us, lets us know if we are truly compassionate or not. If we help others, then God will also help us. Take Formosa for instance, they are not a member of the United Nations, it is most appropriate for them to accommodate the refugees.
Reporter: In that case, Supreme Master Ching Hai, can You tell us how many people have attempted to commit suicide in the Au Lac refugee camps in Hong Kong, how many of them have lost their lives and how many have been severely injured?
Master: They do it to resist repatriation and to protest against the brutal actions of the Hong Kong Government towards them, especially in the latest incident, and other many unfair and oppressive incidents. Recently in the camps, during several days last week, almost a hundred...
Reporter: Almost a hundred!
Master: Nearly a hundred attempted to commit suicide. Some
were so severely injured that they were hospitalized for a long
time. The situation is very urgent, that's why we are so anxious
to gather people from all countries and places, pleading with
them to remind their consciences, to save the refugees quickly.
Otherwise, we don't know what will happen should the situation
continue.
Reporter: Do you think this grand International Human Rights Conference in Taipei, co-convened by the International Supreme Master Ching Hai Meditation Associations, the International Federation for Human Rights and the World Cultural Communication Association has contributed any solutions to the Au Lac refugee situation?
Master: Of course we have expectations. That was why we offered our ideas to everybody. They would not know if we didn't speak out. After listening to our opinions, it is their decision to accept or not. At least, we have stated that we are willing to provide man power and financial resources to assist the refugees to immigrate to Formosa or any third country, until they can stand on their own. We also wish that these governments would listen to us. Therefore, we still have some hope!
(Original in Au Lac Language)
April 14, 1994 in Tai A Chau
To: The Secretary-General of the United Nations
The UNHCR in Hong Kong
The Hong Kong Governor
Political and congress leaders of all nations
International organizations for human rights
The International Amnesty Organization
International religious groups, political parties and associations.
Radio and TV stations, and newspapers of the world
Overseas Au Lac communities defending the refugees
Ladies and gentlemen,
Ever since the Communists took over southern Au Lac by force (on April 30, 1975), many of our parents were imprisoned, exiled or oppressed. Some of them died under the brutality of the communists. Our families were fragmented, leaving behind miserable children, victims of the communist system. They would not even leave these innocent youngsters alone because of their family background . We were despised and abandoned by the society, forbidden to go to school or to join any groups or organizations. Therefore, we were forced to risk our lives seeking asylum.
We felt consoled and encouraged that the Hong Kong Government has provided us a temporary abode, and the United Nations and other voluntary groups have done their best to help us. Even though the detention camps are jails for the young people, we still have faith in humanity and the kindness of the free world. Arduously enduring the humiliation and distress for three, four, five or six years, we long for the day when we will have a permanent home in a third country. Suddenly, everything changed. After the austere, unfair and persuasive screening process conducted by the Hong Kong Immigration Department, we were forced, with all kinds of tricks by the United Nations and the police in the camp, to return to Au Lac.
We are just a group of helpless and miserable youngsters in the camp, lacking everything, absolutely unaware of our future, always worrying and afraid, afraid of being forcibly repatriated to Au Lac by the police. Having lived a long time in the detention camps, we have learned what is brutality and what is freedom and justice. We therefore ask all of you to respect our human rights. With your kindness, please save these suffering children in Tai A Chau and other detention camps in Southeast Asia.
We urge the world to appeal to the United Nations, so they will not send us back to Au Lac - where the communists are waiting to seize us, just because our parents had different ideals and had fought them with arms.
Please ask the free countries to extend their welcoming arms and recognize our refugee status. Our compatriots are holding an indefinite hunger strike, fighting for our rights. Shoulder to shoulder, we shall fight to the end to uphold the proclamation of January 1, 1994 declared by the refugee committee of Tai A Chau.
Oh, respectable ones, please turn your head and look back. On the desolate island of Tai A Chau in Hong Kong, there live many miserable unaccompanied minors who fled their country, without parents or relatives. Worried and restless, they are longing for your noble and righteous decision. Please do not forsake us. Should we have the chance to grow up in a free and pleasant environment, we will be the future hope of nations, and be refined young people who will benefit human society.
Your decision now is more important than at any other time. They will be antidotes capable of saving the innocent children under the oppression of the Hong Kong Immigration Department and the United Nations. Watching each second and minute slip by, we are longing for your humanity concern.
At the same time, we are here extending our most sincere gratitude.
Please accept our highest salutation on behalf of all the unfortunate and helpless unaccompanied minors in Tai A Chau Detention Center.
Nguyen Anh