Hong Kong Immigration Director Sued for Stopping Shen Yun Shows

Hong Kong resident Philip Li was hoping to see Shen Yun Performing Arts in Hong Kong on January 28th. But a decision by the Hong Kong Immigration Department, to deny visas to six key technicians, forced Shen Yun to cancel their sold-out shows there.

Now Li is suing the Director of the Immigration Department Simon Peh for the $300 Hong Kong dollars he paid to see Shen Yun.

Li says it’s more than just the monetary loss that he is concerned about.

[Philip Koi-Hop Li, Hong Kong Resident]:

“The administration has damaged the right of Hong Kong to have cultural freedom, and has obstructed the activities that foster cultural exchange. This has led to the loss in this instance, and citizens feel that their freedom to enjoy culture has been trampled upon.”

Li filed a claim at the Hong Kong Small Claims Tribunal on Monday, stating that Director Peh violated Chapter 3 of the Hong Kong Basic Law, and Article 27 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Both of these provisions provides citizens the freedom to engage and enjoy cultural and artistic activities.

Based in New York, Shen Yun is known for showing traditional Chinese culture—culture that has been suppressed by the Chinese Communist Party. Some of the songs and dances also depict the Communist Party’s persecution of Falun Gong, a spiritual practice that’s been suppressed for more than 10 years.

Shen Yun was scheduled to have seven performances in Hong Kong between January 27th and 31st this year. But just three days before the company was set to travel there, the Immigration Department rejected visa applications of six technicians.

The decision prompted an international outcry. Many believe the Hong Kong authorities were following orders by the Chinese regime. It has been attempting to stop Shen Yun’s performances in many cities since the company began its world  tours years ago.

On Monday, Shen Yun organizers in Hong Kong handed 18,000 signatures to the Hong Kong authorities, urging them to allow Shen Yun to perform in Hong Kong.

Die Epoch Times Deutschland freut sich, als Medienpartner von Shen Yun Performing Arts World Tour 2010 ihren Leserinnen und Lesern einen exklusiven Einblick in ein einzigartiges Kulturereignis bieten zu können.

Die Aufführungen von „Shen Yun“ finden bis Mitte Juni in folgenden Städten statt:

Paris, Frankreich / 24.-25. April

Cardiff, Vereinigtes Königreich / 27.-28. April

Louvain-la-Neuve/Neu-Löwen bei Brüssel, Belgien / 30. April – 11. Mai

Neuchâtel, Schweiz / 13.-16. Mai

Chişinău/Kischinau, Republik Moldau / 25.-26. Mai

Odessa, Ukraine / 28. Mai

Athen, Griechenland / 3.-4. Juni

Turin, Italien / 8.-9. Juni

Lodz, Polen / 14.-16. Juni

www.shenyunperformingarts.org

Foto: NTDTV