Over five thousand representatives from thirty-two countries attended the International Human Rights Conference held last evening in Taipei. The meeting was convened by the International Supreme Master Ching Hai Meditation Associations, the International Federation for Human Rights and the World Cultural Communication Association. The Supreme Master Ching Hai was commended with the World Humanitarian Leadership Award at the conference.

One of the major objectives of the conference was to look for a solution to the problem of the Au Lac refugees in Hong Kong. We heard that more than a hundred persons in the refugee camps in Hong Kong have committed suicide protesting against forcible repatriation.

After the conference, we especially conducted an interview with the Supreme Master Ching Hai regarding these problems.

Reporter: Supreme Master Ching Hai, recently you have been conducting extensive activities to help the Au Lac refugees. You have also called upon the international communities to care more about the Au Lac refugees in Hong Kong. During this International Human Rights Conference held in Taipei, what tangible measures have You taken to save these Au Lac refugees?

Master: We have reminded and pleaded with the representatives from all countries and places to accept more Au Lac refugees, because those suffering people are also the children of God. Sometimes God tests us, lets us know if we are truly compassionate or not. If we help others, then God will also help us. Take Formosa for instance, they are not a member of the United Nations, it is most appropriate for them to accommodate the refugees.

Reporter: In that case, Supreme Master Ching Hai, can You tell us how many people have attempted to commit suicide in the Au Lac refugee camps in Hong Kong, how many of them have lost their lives and how many have been severely injured?

Master: They do it to resist repatriation and to protest against the brutal actions of the Hong Kong Government towards them, especially in the latest incident, and other many unfair and oppressive incidents. Recently in the camps, during several days last week, almost a hundred...

Reporter: Almost a hundred!

Master: Nearly a hundred attempted to commit suicide. Some were so severely injured that they were hospitalized for a long time. The situation is very urgent, that's why we are so anxious to gather people from all countries and places, pleading with them to remind their consciences, to save the refugees quickly. Otherwise, we don't know what will happen should the situation continue.

Reporter: Do you think this grand International Human Rights Conference in Taipei, co-convened by the International Supreme Master Ching Hai Meditation Associations, the International Federation for Human Rights and the World Cultural Communication Association has contributed any solutions to the Au Lac refugee situation?

Master: Of course we have expectations. That was why we offered our ideas to everybody. They would not know if we didn't speak out. After listening to our opinions, it is their decision to accept or not. At least, we have stated that we are willing to provide man power and financial resources to assist the refugees to immigrate to Formosa or any third country, until they can stand on their own. We also wish that these governments would listen to us. Therefore, we still have some hope!