GENEVA: The Chinese Government has issued an official ban on the Falun Gong cult largely to protect innocent women and girls from danger, a Chinese delegate said here on Monday.
"The Chinese Government has always attached great importance to the protection of women's rights and to the promotion of progress and development with regard to the role women play in society," explained Li Dongsheng, special adviser to the Chinese delegation, at the 57th session of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights.
The Falun Gong cult, he added, was one of the largest tramplers of women's rights in China.
Li revealed to the commission that among Falun Gong practitioners, women account for a considerable proportion.
The Falun Gong entices women into obsession by taking advantage of their sincere and kind nature and their eagerness for a happy life, the Chinese delegate said.
Li claimed Falun Gong leaders use mind control on female members, gradually depriving them of freedom of expression and convincing them to abandon their families, which ultimately leads to tremendous domestic and health problems.
"What is more striking and horrible about the Falun Gong is that many female practitioners, tempted by notions of eternal salvation, have even mutilated themselves or committed suicide in an effort to escape 'dooms-day' and enter 'heaven,'" he said.
Li recalled the incident on Beijing's Tian'anmen Square in January in which seven Falun Gong practitioners, five of whom were women, set fire to themselves. "We therefore take this opportunity to call upon the international community to eradicate all evil cults so as to protect women's rights and interests."