Swedish Embassy Submits Official Protest to Thai Foreign Ministry

The Swedish Embassy in Thailand last week demanded an immediate explanation into the reason for the detention of Swedish citizen and Falun Gong practitioner Mrs. Pirjo Svensson. The Thai Foreign Ministry has still not responded.

Mrs. Svensson has now been unlawfully detained for 15 days with no explanation.

In response to the lack of cooperation from the Thai Foreign Ministry, the Swedish Ambassador in Bangkok yesterday officially demanded the release of Mrs. Svensson.

The Commission for Human Rights in Thailand has also taken note of Mrs. Svensson’s case and demanded an explanation from the Thai authorities. The Swedish Ambassador Jan Norlander has notified the President of the Senate of Thailand and one Senator is prepared to raise the issue with the Prime Minister of Thailand.

Swedish practitioner Anders Mahlén mentioned that “We appreciate the actions from the Swedish embassy, and at the same time appeal to the government of Thailand to resist pressure from China’s ex-president Jiang Zemin, who is responsible for the persecution of Falun Gong.”

Mrs. Svensson's friend and fellow Falun Gong practitioner Lilly Wang commented “We hope that Thailand will correct its mistake and do what is good for the country's image and people”.