In coincidence with the beginning of the 57th session of the United Nations Human Rights Commission, China Anti-Cult Association (CACA) presented to people from all walks of life its collection of the signatures for protecting human rights against evil cults on the Place des Nations in front of the UN Office at Geneva (UNOG).

Chinese religious leaders with the CACA delegation, Bishop Fu Tieshan and Buddhist Abbot Shengsang, were among the demonstrators at the square to give explanations to the audience.

"At a time when mankind is entering the 21st century, peace and development represent the current mainstream," the CACA said in its proposal in January 2001 for launching a drive to collect a million anti-cult signatures.

"But at this turn of the century, evil cults are running rampant worldwide, bringing disasters to numerous individuals and families, inflicting a calamity on human rights."

"Li Hongzhi and his Falun Gong are exercising psychological control to desecrate human dignity, defying law, injuring and murdering people," it went on, "The Chinese government has banned Falun Gong and the evil cult according to law, winning heart-felt popular support."

According to incomplete statistics, the Falun Gong cult has led to deaths of about 1,700 people. On January 23, 2001, poisoned and cheated by Li Hongzhi and his Falun Gong, several Falun Gong addicts set themselves on fire at the Tian'anmen Square in towndown Beijing. Among the victims is a girl of only 12 years of age, who died on March 17.

More than 1.5 million people around China signed on 100 banners of 100 meters in length. The banners will be submitted to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson after a three-day demonstration in Geneva.

(Xinhua 03/20/2001)