Boat People Declare To Commit Suicide To Gain Human Rights Will Demonstrate Tomorrow To Commemorate The Fall Of Saigon

[Special report by our press] The Chairman of the Asia-Pacific Affairs Subcommittee(?) and of the U.S. House of Foreign Affairs Committee, Mr. Eikman(?), will discuss the boat peoples' problem when he meets with Chen Fang Ahn Sheng of Government Secretariat in Washington later today. Within a few days, the Subcommittee will report to the State Department its concern about the boat people in Hong Kong, and will also ask for clarification of over 500 appeals regarding boat people having been sent back, including a few cases still in Hong Kong.
A religious group concerned about the refugees claimed that on the 19th commemoration of the fall of Saigon, South Au Lac, tomorrow, some boat people detained in the detention center of Hong Kong would commit suicide to protest the forced repatriation of them to Au Lac and the violence used in relocating the boat people at the Whitehead Detention Camp, which the Security Department claimed to be just rumours.
This religious group revealed some photographs, showing that tear gas was used by CSD to forcefully relocate the boat people at the Whitehead Detention Camp earlier this month. Some boat people were shown unconscious and foaming from the mouth after being "overcome" by tear gas. Some were injured while asleep. (See photo.)
This concerned group warned that the boat people in all the detention camps would hold activities on the 19th commemoration of the fall of Saigon and many planned to commit suicide to protest the violent treatment by the Government of Hong Kong. This concerned religious group is called "The Supreme Master Ching Hai Meditation Association". Its leader, Master Ching Hai, attracts many followers by teaching "Zen Meditation" and has many branches all over the world. Master Ching Hai pointed out that the security forces of the Government of Hong Kong committed violent acts, involving the use of tear gas, against the unarmed boat people earlier this month. She felt so shocked at the injuries and insults sustained by the boat people. She appealed to Her followers to come to Hong Kong at their own expenses to protest the injustices.
Master Ching Hai also pointed out that many boat people from various camps had sent Her letters indicating that on the commemoration of the fall of Saigon, they would hold big demonstrations and many intended to commit suicide to gain their rights and to protest against being sent back to Au Lac. Master Ching Hai and Her followers planned to go to the main gates of the Governor's Office, the Whitehead Detention Camp, and the High Island Detention Camp to meditate. They would appeal to the Government to treat the boat people in a humane manner. They also would appeal to the boat people not to use suicide as a way to achieve their goals.
This group of over one thousand followers came from all over the world. First, they gathered at the botanical gardens across from the Governor's Office to meditate in the morning. In the afternoon, they moved to the front gate of Government Secretariat. Sometimes, they sat in mediation with their eyes closed. Other times when deeply moved by the scene, they sang "Sing Hallelujah" with tear running down their cheeks. Master Ching Hai emphasizes that they will proceed peacefully. The followers will return to their homes after the commemoration of the fall of Saigon on April 30.



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