Belgium court rejects rights case against China's former president Jiang

ChannelNewAsia.com/October 9, 2003

Brussels -- A Belgium court has rejected a human rights abuse lawsuit against China's former president Jiang Zemin under the country's revamped genocide law.

This is according to one of the plaintiffs, who was informed a few days ago.

Six members of the Falun Gong spiritual movement files a suit in a Belgian court, alleging that Mr Jiang had put together a plan aimed at eliminating the group in China.

This is the first test of Belgium's law on genocide and crimes against humanity since the government imposed severe restrictions on how the law can be used in August.

The group says it may appeal.

China banned the movement in 1999, labelling it an "evil cult" after the group mounted a massive protest in Beijing against alleged mistreatment by authorities.