“A fairer world-A world without torture”

--- Attending UK Amnesty International Competition Reward Ceremony---

On 27^th of February 2002, Amnesty International hosted “A fairer world-A world without torture” competition and award ceremony in conjunction with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and National Union of Teachers in London. The competition was aimed to highlight the human rights issues to young children throughout the UK and encourage them to bring more awareness towards human rights abuses all over the world.

Many VIPs such as Members of Parliament, politicians, journalists and TV celebrities were invited to participate in the event. Cherie Blair, wife of the PM, was present and viewed the winning art work. She talked enthusiastically to the children, posed for photos and signed autographs.

Alex Rostron, a 18 year old grammar school student from Leeds, won the first prize for his age group in the Northeast.

Alex has been a Falun Gong practitioner for over two years.

His winning piece displays the persecution of Falun Gong followers in China

He went to Beijing, in February this year to appeal to the Chinese government, during the Chinese New Year celebrations, to call an end to the brutal persecution of Falun Gong.

He was detained and beaten by the police before being deported along with 4 other UK practitioners. His courageous experience in China was widely covered by the media in UK.

His design depicts large Tai Chi emblem. One side contains pictures showing free people peacefully practicing Falun Gong in countries all over the world. The other side shows pictures of the ugly persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China.

The stark contrast between the two sides attracted many vistors and VIPs to the event. Alex was able to explain his design to Cherie Blair and the TV presenter Tess Daly.

The ceremony was rounded off with a concert of music and drama in the themes of the day