Special Report On Aiding the The Au Lac Refugees

(Originally in Indonesian)

Will Master Ching Hai
Receive The Nobel Peace Prize?

Last week, Taipei became the spotlight of the world. Thousands of people of various nationalities flocked into the island to attend an International Conference for Human Rights and the Au Lac refugees. The conference was held in conjunction with a unique meditation retreat for 5,000 members of The International Supreme Master Ching Hai meditation Associations who came from over 20 countries. The Supreme Master Ching Hai is often called Master Ching Hai.

Maybe for some people in Indonesia the name of Master Ching Hai is still new. However, in international communities, especially the ones which deal with human rights, this beautiful and noble lady, who lived in Formosa for some time, is well known and has millions of followers.

The purpose of the retreat was to pray for World Peace, as well as to pray for better conditions for the Au Lac refugees in Hong Kong. The event was held because Au Lac refugees were tortured in the detention camps in Hong Kong and many are being treated badly in the other countries that house them.

Master Ching Hai's compassion for the Au Lac refugees surely has something to do with Her experience at an early age while working for the International Red Cross.

Even though the problem of the Au Lac refugees is of foremost concern to Master, She still continues to send people, mostly Her disciples, to help the disaster victims in many other countries such as Thailand, China, the Philippines, France, Belgium, Formosa, etc.

Last year in the United States alone, Master Ching Hai made a contribution of one million US dollar which was used to help leper victims, war veterans and AIDS and cancer research... etc.

To solve the Au Lac refugee problem, the International Supreme Master Ching Hai meditation Associations has proposed three alternative solutions. The first is to make a substantial financial contribution to the nation which accepts the Au Lac refugees.

If that first alternative is not accepted, then it is suggested that some of the countries lease or sell land to The International Supreme Master Ching Hai meditation Associations, which would then be used for the refugees.

The third alternative allows for a group of self-funded international attorneys to stay in Au Lac for one year, should any refugees voluntarily repatriate. The role of the attorneys would be to monitor the treatment of the refugees by the Au Lac government.

Some of Master Ching Hai's supporters said that if the Au Lac refugee problem was resolved by these proposed alternatives, Master Ching Hai could possibly receive the Nobel Peace Prize. However, one of the members of the meditation Association said that the Nobel Peace Prize is not the reason why Master Ching Hai helps the Au Lac refugees. Master Ching Hai is always selflessly helping sentient beings.

Master Ching Hai was born in a well-off Catholic family in Au Lac. Her father was a naturopath. Since Her childhood, She liked to study literature from around the world, Western and Eastern philosophies. Even before going to elementary school, She had already read books about Buddhism, Lao Tzu, Chuang Tzu, etc.

When She was small, one fortune teller predicted that Master Ching Hai would have outstanding, superior intelligence, She would renounce the worldly life in the future, and that it would be better for Her to become a spiritual practitioner. It was also predicted that She would get enlightenment, become a saint, and give the light of wisdom to Her followers.

Master Ching Hai always asks Her followers to visit poor and destitute families. She has also visited prisons to comfort the inmates and guide them to the right path. Her life is really dedicated for the sake of humanity.

Surya Sun Newspaper Surabaya, Indonesia May 26, 1994

For The Sake Of World Peace
5000 People Meditated Together

(Originally in Indonesian)
[Taipei, (Surya)]

Lately, numerous conflicts and political unrest has struck various parts of the world, which causes anxiety to a lot of people. In Taipei, capital of Formosa, more than 5000 people from over 20 countries held a group meditation retreat for one week, in an effort to pray for world peace.

Besides praying for world peace, the group meditation retreat was also held to pray for the Au Lac refugees in Hong Kong, who have committed suicide in large numbers because of pressure from some people.

Surya reporter, Suprihadi, reported that the group meditation retreat called Praying for Human Rights and World Peace was held from May 21 to May 27 at various locations in Taipei. The retreat was hosted by the International Supreme Master Ching Hai meditation Associations and was directed by the Supreme Master Ching Hai.

By holding group meditation retreats, the Supreme Master Ching Hai hopes to realize world Peace, because with the help of an enlightened Master and by doing meditation, one can get enlightenment and also learn to respect and love all beings. In so doing conflicts and killings can be avoided.

With such group meditation retreats, the Supreme Master Ching Hai also hopes to cultivate love towards our planet, At these times, we are praying for a brighter future. We are also praying that the will atmosphere would change from one of numerous conflicts and hatred, due to differences among nations, individuals, ethic groups and religious as well as cultural backgrounds, to one of becoming more loving towards each other.

The Java Post, Surabaya, Indonesia - June 6, 1994.

Enjoying a Madurese Dance in Taipei.

(Originally in Indonesian)

Reporter Rindang Herawati of the Java Post visited Taipei, for two days towards the end of last month, after having been invited to Taipei, Formosa by the International Supreme Master Ching Hai meditation Associations. Many other reporters from around the world were also invited. The following is her report:

The readers probably remember that the Supreme Master Ching Hai was in Surabaya a year ago for a lecture/seminar. Unfortunately this pretty lady, who loves beauty, was banned from having a gathering with Her thousands of followers. The reason was that the convener did not obtain permission from the authorities. Therefore, only a meeting could be held instead of the lecture/seminar. Obviously, the Supreme Master Ching Hai still remembers the incident in Surabaya, as well as the coverage by the local media, including the Java Post.

On the first day, before the International Human Rights Conference concerning the Au Lac asylum seekers that was held at the Taipei International Convention Center and the Asiaworld Plaza Hotel, the writer met the Supreme Master Ching Hai. She said, Are you from the Surabaya Java Post? I can still remember the report in your paper. During my visit to Surabaya, I could only show my face, but was not allowed to speak. I didn't mind. How is your work and the newspaper? Everything all right? I hope so! .

Directed by the Supreme Master Ching Hai and organized by the meditation Association, a seven-day retreat which attracted about five thousand participants from over twenty countries was held from May 21-27. Praying for world peace and the realization of international human rights, they meditated daily at the Asiaworld Plaza Hotel, in parks and public places.

To realize the ideal of bringing peace to the world, and to establish an environment where humans can live together in harmony, the Supreme Master Ching Hai often collaborates with other international organizations. For instance, the International Human Rights Conference held on May 25 was co-convened by two American organizations - the International Federation for Human Rights and the World Cultural Communication Association- both of which are concerned with human rights and the restoration of human dignity.

One outstanding feature about this retreat was that they were praying for all the asylum seekers throughout the world. In particular, they were pleading for help for the Au Lac asylum seekers in Hong Kong who are being treated inhumanely. They were also trying to save them from their hellish agonies.

The Human Rights Conference lasted about three hours, and the meditation Association showed some documentary films about the lives of asylum seekers during these past years. The content of the films described how they fled their home country because they refused to live under a tyrannical regime. Longing for freedom, they risked their lives - threw themselves into the ocean, went through tremendous ordeals - eventually ending up in Hong Kong where they sought temporary asylum.

However, they were not welcomed by the government there, and were detained in refugee camps completely isolated from the outside world. One of the films depicted a chaotic scene where the asylum seekers were being forcibly repatriated by the local government.

This documentary film truly touched the audience. Many of them could not hold back their tears. Some even cried and wept mournfully.

All the people attending the conference were extremely concerned about the fate of the Au Lac asylum seekers. At the conclusion of the meeting, they made a unanimous proclamation that is to be submitted to President Clinton of the United States, and the United Nations. The proclamation proposed: Firstly, that the meditation Associations will provide financial help and man-power to the country that accepts the Au Lac refugees and help them to get citizenship in that country if possible. Secondly, if the first alternative is not accepted, the meditation Associations request the host countries to sell or rent a piece of land to them to accommodate the asylum seekers. After the proclamation was read out by the Supreme Master Ching Hai, almost all the participants of the conference endorsed it with their signatures.

Someone asked why they were only concerned about the boat people, but neglected the refugees in other countries, for example Bosnia or Palestine? Are they not also being brutally oppressed and inhumanely treated? The reply (from the meditation Association) was: The Bosnian and Palestian issues are hot news topics receiving much attention and concern, but the issue of the Au Lac boat people has faded out of people's minds. We must clarify here that our intense concern about the boat people does not mean that we neglect the agonies of the refugees from other ethnic groups. However, we must handle problems according to their priority.

Simultaneously, during the conference, there was also an exhibition of the art work by the Supreme Master Ching Hai, which included Her paintings, painted rocks, fashion design and other handicrafts. Incredibly talented! These artistic masterpieces should only exist in Heaven. This was one of the praising comments with respect to their Master's artistic talents.

Apart from the art exhibition, there was also an evening variety show and party. Songs and dances from many nations were in the program. Among them, the Madurese tribal dance Sweet Harvest from Indonesia earned an enthusiastic response from the audience. The beautiful and lively tune had the audience intoxicated.

While the audience was cheering and applauding the marvelous performance of the dancers, the writer was delightfully surprised because suddenly here in Taipei, the Indonesian Madurese tribal dance Tanduk Majang was being performed.

Hong Kong Today June 26, 1994

Claiming They Are Misunderstood

By The News Media, The Boat People
Publish A Journal To Voice Their Grief

[By our press] The Tai A Chau Committee for The Struggle Of Refugee Rights have established their own Chinese Media Agency, and have published a special journal to depict their situation in the refugee camps. They claim that the local news media have a general misunderstanding of the situation in the camps, resulting in wrong concepts about the refugees. The refugee camp is like an iron curtain. They wish to depict the real situation to the general public through this journal.

The journal is entitled Freedom or Death . There are over ten articles and thirty photos and illustrations in the journal. The main theme is to explain that they are survivors of Vietnam's tyrannical communist regime. They went through tremendous hardships and fortunately reached Hong Kong, but they were wrongly classified as non-refugees by the screening process . Doomed to be repatriated, they resorted to hunger strikes, protesting against forced repatriation and the unfair screening process of the Hong Kong Government.

They established the Chinese Media Agency only to express their feelings in the Chinese language, and appeal to the righteous people of the world to help them. There are twenty-four members in the Agency. They have published articles and contemporary poems expressing their longing for freedom, which they have to fight for with hunger strikes. They have also reproached the United Nations and the British Hong Kong Government for making secret deals with the Au Lac communists. Disregarding their human rights, they are being barbarously repatriated to Au Lac, not even the orphans are exempted. These innocent children are being sent back to the wolves den in Au Lac. They repeatedly emphasize that they would rather die than go back to the inferno of Au Lac.

The committee mailed the journal to our press yesterday. They stated that because our press bears no prejudice against them, they have sent us the journal which they've published with a great deal hardships. It is their hope that we would publish their articles, revealing their real situation to the world, thus rectify the misunderstandings of some news media and people.

>

Eastern Daily News June 26, 1994

Using Unnecessary Force To Relocate Boat People, Legislators Reproach The Terrorizing Intent

The legislative council security panel yesterday discussed the independent investigation report on the Whitehead relocation incident. Legislators suspected that terrorizing the refugees could have been the intent of the excessive force used in the operation.

Raymond Lai stated that they have received forty-six reports from the boat people complaining of loss of property. These cases have been directed to the police. Should any negligence be found on the part of the Correctional Services Department, the Government would compensate accordingly.

Another report from Associated Press: Five American groups concerned about the Au Lac boat people strongly criticized the Hong Kong Government's report on the Whitehead incident. Amnesty International, whose headquarters is in England, also urged the Hong Kong Government to expedite the investigation of the alleged assaults of the boat people, and launch disciplinary actions and legal hearings against the personnel involved.

Amnesty International pointed out: The Government should treat the relevant investigation and hearings as urgent, and take actions against the senior government officials responsible for the incident. The five American groups issued a statement yesterday, criticizing the report by the two Justices of the Peace as aiming at concealing mistakes. They were also displeased that the report did not demand the resignations of the senior officials who ordered the firing of tear gas shells, and tolerated the riot guards' actions in the assault against the boat people.

New Post Thursday, July 7, 1994

Secretary For Securities Reaffirm Hong Kong's Stand - If No One Accepts The Vietnamese Refugees, Repatriation To Vietnam Will Be Considered

When asked about in the Philippines the closure of the Au Lac transit centers at the end of September, causing about one thousand Au Lac refugees to be sent back to Hong Kong, Asprey indicated he knew about the matter and is presently having talks with the Philippine authorities requesting them to continue using the transit center facilities after the end of September.

Wen Hui Pao June 28, 1994

Repatriation Dropped From Eight Hundred In February To Less Than Two Hundred In May

The Shatin District's Councilor Urged
The Hong Kong Government To Continue
Repatriating The Au Lac Boat People

The Extension Of Medical Services
At Whitehead Detention Centre

Liew Chiang Huia reports that according to records from authorities, 850 people volunteered for repatriation in February, 390 in March, 246 in April and only 183 in May. Although the reason for the decrease is not clear, it is most likely related to the April 7 incident at Whitehead.

Sing Tao Daily News Sunday, June 26, 1994

Officials Answering The Legislative Council Regarding The Forced Camp Relocation.

Decision Making Officers Free From Punishment As They Were Not Involved In The Real Action

Yesterday, Brian Brisniham and Raymond Lai attended the meeting of the legislative council security panel, to answer the inquiries from the panel members regarding the investigation report on the Whitehead relocation incident. Most Legislators did not agree with the way the authorities handled this camp relocation. Worried that violent actions may be used again in the future, they also demanded to know whether the senior officers in charge of this operation would be held responsible.

The Sing Tao Daily News Monday, July 18, 1994

Enhancing Communication With The Boat People

By Lu Kung Hui

Many boat people are afraid that they will face political persecution when they return to Au Lac. The Government should pay attention to this issue. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees plans to invite some of the boat people who have returned to Au Lac to come back to Hong Kong to speak about their experiences.

New Post July 7, 1994

[local page]

Concerned About The Relocation Operation At Whitehead Detention Camp Volunteer Group Issues A Report In Response

[New Post Special Report] A volunteer group concerned about the boat people in Hong Kong issued a report today in response to the investigation report of the Whitehead incident released by the Hong Kong Government. This group demands that the Government dismiss many high officials responsible for the relocation operation. They also suggest that at least three days' notice should be given to the boat people prior to any similar relocation operations in the future.

Refugee Concern's written report, about the Whitehead detention camp relocation incident on April 7, provides many comments and suggestions concerning this incident. The recommendations include that relevant reports and materials should be open to the public - for instance, the video tapes taken by the police and the Correctional Services Department during the operation. In any future operations, the Hong Kong Government must follow proper conduct and be responsible for the safety of the boat people and the public.