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A Chinese political lobby group has vowed it will continue to fight against a ruling prohibiting it from taking part in Sunday's Auckland Santa parade.
The Falun Dafa group was yesterday given the thumbs down in the High Court at a judicial review heard by Justice Tony Randerson. The group called for the review after the Auckland Children's Christmas Parade Trust turned down its application.
The Farmers-sponsored parade has been running for 75 years and is primarily for the entertainment of children.
Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is an ancient peaceful and spiritual Chinese practice which aims to improve mind, body and spirit through meditation and exercise.
Justice Randerson said Falun Gong had tried to get involved in the Christmas parade for seven years.
After being rejected by the trust, it alleged the organisation was breaking the New Zealand Human Rights Act.
Justice Randerson said Falun Gong had stated it was not a political organisation, and participation in the parade would be purely for entertainment value.
But he said the group's case referring to the New Zealand Human Rights Act was very weak, and he pointed out that relations between Falun Gong and the trust had broken down.
"It's acceptable to believe that the Falun Gong practice has been persecuted by the Chinese Communist Party, which has caused them to protest in attempts to draw attention and mobilise world opinion.
"But it is not appropriate for the Christmas parade to provide a platform for such protests," Justice Randerson said.
Speaking outside the court after the decision was made, Evgeny Orlov, representing Falun Gong, said the matter would be taken further.
"It will continue. This is not a question of just applying again next year, it's a question of their legal rights from now on," he said.
Kerry Gore, spokesman for Falun Gong, said the time constraints of getting a decision before the parade on Sunday meant that issues were not properly canvassed.
"This was an interim injunction application, not a substantial hearing. We may have had a better decision if more evidence had been submitted to court, and witnesses had been brought in for cross-examination.
"Falun Gong is disappointed with this decision as they were looking forward to taking part, given they've never had the opportunity to take part for the past seven years," Mr Gore said.
Trust chairman Michael Barnett, who is also Auckland Chamber of Commerce chief executive, has previously said Falun Gong's participation in the Farmers parade was totally inappropriate. Between 300,000 to 400,000 people are expected to line the streets of central Auckland for the parade.
- NZPA
