(Minghui.org) July 20 marks the 24th anniversary since the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) began suppressing Falun Gong in 1999. Government officials from around the world issued statements to support and encourage practitioners, and to call for an end to the brutality. Below are selected events and greeting letters from ten European countries.
United Kingdom
During a rally that practitioners held in London on July 15, 2023, seven parliament members (MPs) sent supportive letters.
Seven Members of Parliament sent letters of support for Falun Dafa practitioners’ efforts to end the persecution. Top row, left to right: Ian Murray MP, Patrick Grady MP, Tommy Sheppard MP. Bottom row, left to right: Layla Moran MP, Rupa Huq MP, Anne McLaughlin SNP MP, Paul Bristow MP.
“I am aware of the alarming allegations that have been reported over several years about human organ harvesting in China. I also understand that minority and religious groups, including Falun Gong practitioners, are potentially being specifically targeted,” wrote Ian Murray MP. “I will continue to press the UK Government to send a clear message that we will not stand by and we will not tolerate such gross abuses of human rights.”
Patrick Grady MP stated in his message, “Please be assured of my ongoing solidarity with Falun Gong and Falun Dafa practitioners in China and around the world, and with all those persecuted and oppressed by the Chinese Communist Party. The government of China must be held to account for human rights abuses, including abuses of the right to freedom of religion and belief. World governments, including the UK government, have a duty to speak out and take action wherever they can.”
Rupa Huq MP wrote, “I will continue to press the UK government to send a clear message that we will not stand by and we will not tolerate such gross abuses of human rights.
“The UK remains deeply concerned about the ongoing persecution of Falun Gong practitioners and other groups in China. The testimonies of their experiences are incredibly distressing and their treatment is one of many reasons why China is one of 31 human rights priority countries for the UK,” wrote Paul Bristow MP. “Please be assured that I will raise your concerns with the Foreign Secretary.”
The British Falun Dafa Association organized a symposium titled, “The Falun Gong Story - Is There Another Genocide in China?” in London’s Parliament Building on July 17, 2023. Among the keynote speakers were Sir Iain Duncan Smith, Lord Alton of Liverpool, Lord Hunt of Kings Heath, and Marie Rimmer MP.
Left to right: Sir Iain Duncan Smith, Lord David Alton of Liverpool, Lord Philip Hunt of Kings Heath, and Marie Rimmer MP
Lord Alton is the co-founder and deputy chair of the UK Parliamentary Cross-Party Group on Freedom of Religion and Belief. During the symposium he repeatedly mentioned the persecution of Falun Gong and the atrocities involving the CCP, especially the forced organ harvesting.
“If we are to recognize the threat and interference from the CCP on our own democracy, it is imperative that we recognize the threat and atrocities happening to Falun Gong. We must say so – loud and clear – because it is,” he said. “This is not a time for silence.”
Germany
Practitioners held a rally in Munich on July 15, 2023, to commemorate the 24th anniversary of peacefully protesting the persecution in China, and to call on the German government and the public to pay attention to the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) crimes and help end the persecution. The event received letters of support from several members of the German parliament, state legislators, and dignitaries.
Twelve German parliamentarians, state legislators, and other dignitaries issued statements condemning the CCP’s persecution of Falun Gong practitioners, and urging the CCP to immediately stop persecuting Falun Gong.
Top row (left to right): Bernhard Seidenath, (member of the Bavarian state parliament and press spokesman for the CSU), Dr. Michel Meister (member of the German Bundestag and CDU), Astrid Rothe-Beinlich (member of the Thüringen state parliament and chair of the Green Party’s parliamentary group), and Martina Feldmayer (member of the Hessian Green Party)
Center row (left to right): Dr. Gülistan Yüksel (member of the German Bundestag and SPD and chairman of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group on legal matters in the Bundestag), Dr. Günter Krings (CDU), Sabine Weis (CDU), Karin Müller (deputy speaker of the Hessian State Parliament and Green Party member)
Lower row (left to right): Asgar Can (president of the European Uyghur Association), Jürgen Braun (Member of Parliament and Human Rights Spokesperson for the AfD), Heiko Kasseckert (CDU), and Kay Gottschalk (member of the German Bundestag; and AfD Parliamentary Financial Policy Speaker)
Dr. Günter Krings, a member of the German Bundestag, the chairman of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group on legal matters, and the chairman of the CDU-Westphalia regional caucus wrote, “We cannot stay out of the situation when many people’s lives are negatively affected and families are torn apart.”
Falun Gong practitioners in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, gathered in front of Cologne Cathedral on July 22, 2023. René Domke (FDP), Frank Schwabe (SPD), and Dirk-Ulrich Mende (SPD) wrote letters to support their event.
Left to right: René Domke (chairman of the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern parliament of the Free Democratic Party of Germany, FDP), Frank Schwabe (member of parliament from the German Social Democratic Party, SPD), and Dirk-Ulrich Mende (SPD)
René Domke, chairman of the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern parliament of the Free Democratic Party of Germany (FDP), wrote, “The persecution of Falun Gong has been a sad reality for twenty-four years. “It is important that we stand up together to raise our voices against the persecution, and draw attention to this crime.
“It is also important that we recognize that the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners is not just a Chinese problem. This is an issue that affects us all, as it relates to fundamental human rights and freedom of belief granted to everyone,” he said.
Italy
Italian practitioners gathered in front of the Chinese Embassy in Rome on July 21 to tell people about the CCP's brutality. They received supportive letters from several parliament members.
The following dignitaries sent letters: Giulio Terzi (president of the Permanent Commission on European Affairs of the Senate), Lucio Malan (member of the Senate), Fabio Massimo Castaldo (member of the European Parliament, MEP, and former vice-president of the European Parliament), Elisabetta Zamparutti (former member of parliament), Pietrangelo Massaro (vice-president of Rome city council), Igor Boni (president of Italian Radicals), Marco Cappato (former MEP), Giampiero Leo (president of the Association for Human Rights of Regional Council of Piemonte), Marco Respinti (director-in-charge for Bitter Winter)
Parliament members condemned the CCP’s human rights violations and praised practitioners’ persistent efforts to expose it. Giulio Terzi (president of the Permanent Commission on European Affairs of the Senate) said that the CCP has not stopped harassing peaceful Falun Gong practitioners in the past 20-plus years. The values and courage of practitioners’ efforts are effective to counter the CCP’s “cruel genocide.”
Switzerland
Falun Gong practitioners peacefully rallied outside the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva, Switzerland on July 20, 2023. They called on the Chinese Communist Party to end the persecution of Falun Gong in China that has been ongoing for 24 years. Twenty-one Swiss government officials sent letters of support.
Seven members of the Federal Assembly and 14 members of the Cantonal and Municipality Assembly sent letters of support on the 24th anniversary of Falun Gong practitioners’ peaceful resistance against 24 years of persecution. From left to right, top to bottom: Jean-Pierre Grin – member of National Council, Ms. Lisa Mazzone – member of Grand Council of Geneva, Ms. Laurence Fehlmann Rielle - member of National Council, Ms. Léonore Porchet – member of National Council, Christian Dandrès – member of National Council, Thomas Bläsi – member of National Council, Philippe Nantermod – member of National Council, Jean-Charles Rielle – member of the Council State of Geneva, Thomas Wenger – member of the Council State of Geneva, Philippe de Rougemont – member of the Council State of Geneva, John Rossi – Geneva City Councilor, Maxime Moix – deputy substitute member of the Council State of Valais, Mathieu Clerc – member of the Council State of Valais, Hubert Dafflon – member of the Council State of Fribourg, Ms. Mary-Calude Fallet – member of the Council State of Neuchâtel, Niel Smith – member of the Council State of Neuchâtel, Richard Gigon – member of the Council State of Neuchâtel, Blaise Fivaz – member of the Council State of Neuchâtel, Ms. Assamoi Rose Lièvre – member of the Council State of Neuchâtel, Ms. Naomi Humbert – Val-de-Travers City Councilor, Nicolas Girard – member of the Council State of Jura
Jean-Pierre Grin, member of the National Council, wrote in his letter, “I ask that China fully comply with the World Health Organization’s requirements on transparency and traceability of organ purchase. Like the experts, I call on China to quickly respond to allegations of organ harvesting and allow independent monitoring by international human rights agencies.”
Belgium
Annick Ponthier, member of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Belgian Federal Parliament
Annick Ponthier, a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Belgian Federal Parliament, sent a letter to the president of the Falun Dafa Association in Belgium, expressing support for Falun Dafa and condemning the CCP’s 24-year-long persecution.
“Twenty-four years ago today, the CCP began persecuting Falun Gong practitioners. During this period, the campaign led to the imprisonment of hundreds of thousands of its followers, who became victims of the worst forms of torture,” she wrote. “I would therefore like to express my deepest respect to all the innocent victims who have been indicted, tortured, imprisoned, or worse, and wish them great strength and hope for the freedom ahead.”
Finland
Practitioners also held a rally and parade in Helsinki on July 15, 2023, to tell the public how the CCP persecutes Falun Dafa, to mourn their fellow practitioners who died as a result of the persecution, and to call for it to end.
Honorable Satu Hassi (left), member of the European Parliament and former member of the Finnish Parliament, and Honorable Merja Kyllönen (right), member of Parliament of Finland and former member of the European Parliament, wrote letters.
“This year marks the 24th year that China (the CCP) has carried out its persecution, forced labor, torture, and human trafficking. Human rights must never be a commodity, and we must not turn a blind eye or remain silent in the face of persecution, be it near or far,” wrote Merja Kyllönen MP, “We must continue to work together to end the persecution. Everyone can do one’s part, and everyone needs to help. We must not remain silent. We must persevere together, even for those who are exhausted and feel that they can no longer bear it. Keep working hard! My spirit will march with you.”
Netherlands
Practitioners held activities at Dam Square in Amsterdam on July 15, 2023, to mark 24 years of peacefully protesting the persecution in China. Amnesty International and other organizations issued statements to condemn the persecution and support their efforts.
Practitioners held an event at Dam Square on July 15, 2023.
Amnesty International Netherlands issued a statement expressing support for practitioners’ efforts to expose the persecution. The statement reads: “In 1999, the Chinese (communist) government set up the “610 Office” to oversee the suppression of Falun Gong. As a result, tens of thousands of Falun Gong practitioners have been arbitrarily detained and tortured and (subjected to) other ill-treatment (and) forced to renounce their spiritual beliefs.
“On the 24th year since China’s crackdown on the Falun Gong movement, Amnesty International calls on the Chinese authorities to immediately release all those imprisoned solely for exercising their right to freedom of belief and expression.”
The NGO, the Gerard Noodt Foundation for Freedom of Religion or Belief, also issued a statement in support of Falun Gong. “Despite severe repression, Falun Gong practitioners remain strong in peaceful resistance. They risked their lives to stand up for their faith and peacefully demand an end to the persecution. Their indomitable spirit has inspired countless individuals and organizations around the world to join them in their struggle for justice and freedom.
“We must not turn a blind eye to the suffering of Falun Gong practitioners. Let us stand in solidarity with the countless Falun Gong practitioners who have been unjustly persecuted in China. As global citizens, we have a responsibility to speak out against persecution! End this ongoing repression immediately!”
Ireland
Practitioners in Ireland held a rally in front of Leinster House, Parliament, on July 12, 2023, to condemn the CCP’s brutal persecution of Falun Gong practitioners over the past 24 years. They called on the public to help stop the CCP and end the persecution as soon as possible. On the day of the event, several Irish deputies came to the rally, signed a petition, and expressed their support.
Deputy Paul Murphy signed the petition and called on the CCP to stop the persecution and live organ harvesting. He said, “If there is large-scale organ harvesting, it's terrible. We’re against all persecution and denial of all civil rights of anybody living in China.”
Deputy Danny Healy-Rae supports Falun Gong.
Deputy Danny Healy-Rae said, “I wouldn’t like to see anyone persecuted.” He said that the CCP’s persecution was wrong, and supported the practitioners’ efforts to protest it. “We can all make a difference. We never know what difference we can make until we try,” he said.
Deputy Johnny Guirke signs the petition.
Deputy Mattie McGrath takes a photo with practitioners after signing the petition.
Deputy Johnny Guirke also signed the petition. Deputy Mattie McGrath expressed his solidarity and took a photo with practitioners to show his support.
Deputy Bríd Smith
Deputy Bríd Smith sent a message stating that she, “condemns all forms of human rights violations, state oppression, persecution and torture.”
Jim O’Leary, councilor of Dundrum County Council
Councilor Jim O’Leary sent a message, “to confirm my support for the members of Falun Gong to be allowed to practice their beliefs free from persecution and oppression.”
Austria
Practitioners gathered at Stephansplatz in Vienna on July 15, 2023 to expose the CCP’s brutal persecution of Falun Dafa over the past 24 years and called for it to end. Many people condemned the CCP’s crimes and signed a petition to end it.
Practitioners held a photo exhibition and demonstrated the tortures they are subjected to in China.
Faika El-Nagashi, a member of the Austrian parliament, said in a statement, “Persecuting others based on their beliefs is a serious violation of human rights. We unequivocally condemn the 24-year repression and brutal persecution of Falun Gong practitioners, and provide assistance to the victims. This is a totalitarian system that silences critics through systematic acts of terror such as imprisonment, torture, and tyranny.
“It is admirable that the will and resistance of people (Falun Gong practitioners) have not been weakened for years and decades. They draw strength from their belief and exercises and work to make the public aware of this often-forgotten topic (CCP persecution). Through their efforts, we learned about the illegal organ trade, which is only part of the criminal acts against Falun Gong practitioners. They have also been arbitrarily detained, tortured, and vilified,” she added.
Petra Wimmer, a member of the Austrian parliament, said in her statement, “I am thinking of Falun Dafa practitioners and their family members who died as a result of torture, labor camps, or illegal organ trading. The attention of the international community can raise awareness of these issues, thereby increasing pressure on the Chinese government to stop these practices.”
Background: What Is Falun Dafa and Why Is the CCP Persecuting It?
Falun Dafa (also known as Falun Gong) was first introduced to the public by Mr. Li Hongzhi in Changchun, China, in 1992. The spiritual discipline is now practiced in over 100 countries and regions worldwide. Millions of people who have embraced the teachings, which are based on the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, and have learned the five exercises, have experienced improved health and well-being.
Jiang Zemin, former head of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), perceived the spiritual discipline’s growing popularity as a threat to the CCP’s atheistic ideology, and on July 20, 1999 he issued an order to eradicate the practice.
Under Jiang’s personal direction, the CCP established the 610 Office, an extralegal security organization with the power to override the police and judicial systems and whose sole function is to carry out the persecution of Falun Dafa.
Minghui.org has confirmed the deaths of thousands of practitioners as a result of the persecution over the past 24 years. The actual number is believed to be much higher. Countless practitioners have been imprisoned and tortured for their faith.
There is concrete evidence that the CCP sanctions the harvesting of organs from detained practitioners, who are murdered to supply China’s organ transplant industry.
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