On August 9, 2007, Falun Gong initiated an opening ceremony for the so-called "human rights torch relay" in Athens, Greece, and declared that it would boycott the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Apart from the tremendous publicizing made by the media of Falun Gong itself, world-famous media seldom reported on it. Where there was any report, it showed indifference in attitude. Why did the "human rights sacred flame" encounter disesteem with the public and mass media?
I. Falun Gong hides the true identity of the sponsor
Falun Gong media had been claiming that the sponsor was Coalition to Investigate the Persecution of Falun Gong (CIPFG), an organization comprising of over 300 politicians, lawyers, doctors, religious leaders and human rights activists. It seemed that the CIPFG had nothing to do with Falun Gong. For instance, aboluowang.com of Falun Gong mentioned in its report on August 10, 2007 that the full name of the CIPFG was Coalition to Investigate the Persecution of Falun Gong in China. The name of the organization published by Minghui.org was Coalition to Fully Investigate the Persecution of Falun Gong in the Mainland of China (abbreviated as "Coalition to Investigate the Persecution").
However, let us check up the history. On April 5, 2006, Minghui.org of Falun Gong said in its report that "Falun Dafa Institute and Minghui.org, being the prime movers of this Coalition to Investigate, organize the 'Coalition to Fully Investigate the Persecution of Falun Gong in the Mainland of China' on this very day, inviting international organizations, government institutions and media to form a 'Coalition to Investigation' (CIPFG)." Obviously, the CIPFG was a subsidiary of Falun Gong, of which the fact was clearly known by international organizations and world media. According to the report of BBC, "one of the major initiators of the boycott is the Coalition to Investigate the Persecution of Falun Gong, an organization formed by Falun Gong and others." Even Radio Free Asia, which has always been not so friendly with the Chinese government, reported straightforwardly that "Falun Gong organization initiated the passing around of human rights sacred flame in Athens".
II. The torch was lighted illegally by Falun Gong members
An article published on aboluowang.com of Falun Gong, "Human Rights Sacred Flame Lighted in Athens, Competition on the Spot and Behind Extremely Fierce", revealed how the "human rights sacred flame" was lighted by Falun Gong members furtively.
The article wrote, "according to the person in charge of the sponsor, in applying for a square to hold this activity, unimaginable difficulties were experienced. Almost all channels were tried and got through, including several important families in Greece. The Greek Government finally approved for an activity, but the ceremony of flame lighting was not allowed." "As the authorities did not allow the ceremony of flame lighting, the sponsor had already hidden the torch." "An hour or so just before the start of the activity, the highest Greek authorities suddenly asked the sponsor not only not to hold the ceremony of flame lighting, but also to cancel the activity." "As time went by, the two sides kept on negotiating, and the atmosphere on the scene became more and more nervous. It seemed that the air was solidified…the sponsor realized that they could not delay any more and decided to break the resistance and light the flame regardless of the power cut and break in of the police." "Suddenly torchlight glistened among the crowd without the declaration of flame lighting by the compere."…The torch was lighted by force by Falun Gong members. (http://www.aboluowang.comews/data/2007/0810/article_27107.html)
Apparently, the lighting ceremony of "human rights sacred flame" of Falun Gong was an open violation of the ban of the highest Greek authorities, and was illegal.
III. The so-called "sacred flame" of Falun Gong was a blasphemy of the Olympic Flame
The shape and structure of the torch held by the Falun Gong members, as well as the process of torch lighting and the dressing of the torch bearer, were sheer imitations of the 2004 Athens Olympic Games, showing nothing new. According to the report of the Associated Press, "the flame lighting ceremony held in the downtown area of Athens imitated the formal flame lighting ceremony of the Olympic Games, with a girl dressed in classical Greek gown lighting the torch."
The so-called "human rights sacred flame" was a blasphemy of the Olympic Flame, a provocation of the Olympic Spirit, and a serious infringement of the intellectual property rights of the International Olympic Committee.
On the side of Falun Gong, they were very clear that this farce would not have any result, and would not be supported by the international communities. According to the report of the Associated Press, "David Kilgour, former Canadian Secretary of State for Asia Pacific region, who once participated in writing report condemning China of removing organs of Falun Gong members, said that sponsors and athletes may decide on their own whether or not to take part in Beijing Olympic Games. He admitted, however, that he did not think that any government would join the boycott."
