(Minghui.org) On July 14, 2022, Falun Gong practitioners held a peaceful rally outside of the office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva, Switzerland, calling on the international community and the Swiss government to help stop the persecution of this ancient spiritual discipline by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

Twelve members of the Federal Assembly, the Cantonal Assembly, as well as the l’ACAT-Suisse (Swiss Christian Anti-Torture Organization), sent letters of support prior to the event.

Twelve Swiss elected officials sent letters of support ahead of Falun Gong practitioners’ rally calling for an end to the persecution.

The CCP Continues to Harvest Organs from Falun Gong Practitioners

Carlo Sommaruga, member of the Council of States (left), and National Councilor Christian Dandrès (right)

Carlo Sommaruga, member of the Council of States, said in his letter, “I believe it is important to take action to defend freedom of expression and belief in China. Meanwhile, we should also resist the repressive and despicable practices of the Chinese communist authorities against Falun Gong practitioners and members of other ethnic, religious, or cultural groups.”

National Councilor Christian Dandrès echoed, “The Chinese Communist regime has been incredibly repressive and violent against all people it believes would threaten or oppose its dictatorship.”

He said, “Practitioners of Falun Gong have suffered this persecution for a long time. Despite international scrutiny, the organ harvesting from Falun Gong practitioners and [other] prisoners [of conscience] continues. A resolution passed by the European Parliament documents in detail the extent of these crimes: China performs more than 10,000 organ transplants each year, while the country has very few organ donations. 

“Although 165 transplant centers in China claim that they could find a matchable human organ within two to three weeks, China does not have a transparent system to trace the sources and distribution channels of the organs. According to the resolution passed by the European Parliament this May, this crime is still continuing in China.”

He concluded his letter with, “I am not a member of any religious or spiritual movement, but I consider it a fundamental obligation to support you (Falun Gong practitioners), against this despicable persecution. I hereby make the commitment to uphold human rights and democracy in China. It is also related to whether we can enjoy peace and human dignity in other parts of the world.”

Falun Gong Practitioners’ Efforts Help Us See Through the Atrocities Committed by the Chinese Communist Party

Youniss Mussa, a member of the Geneva State Assembly (left), and Dilara Bayrak, member of the Green Party in the Grand Council of Geneva (right) 

Youniss Mussa, a member of the Geneva State Assembly, wrote, “I would like to express my full support and admiration for the courage you have shown in the fight against the brutal persecution by the Chinese communist regime. It is imperative to condemn and expose the persecution and crimes against Falun Gong practitioners. This is exactly what you have been doing in the past 23 years. For a long time, these atrocities were not known by the world. But through your efforts, we all became aware about this matter.”

Dilara Bayrak, member of the Green Party in the Grand Council of Geneva, stated, “The Chinese Communist government has not stopped persecuting those it determines to be harmful, and the number of people unfortunate enough to be targeted by the Chinese Communist Party continues to grow. Who are these people on the list? Falun Gong practitioners, Tibetans, Uyghurs, Taiwanese, and Hong Kongers. To some extent, this growing list tells us that human rights defenders must continue to denounce the injustices inflicted on minority groups in China.”

She continued, “The silence that seems to be sweeping the world cannot continue to be tolerated. Economic interests above all else? I disagree. Geneva––the capital of human rights––can no longer be content with putting economic interests above values. If a leader forgets, we should remind him. It is our duty to give a voice to all those children, women and men who are marginalized, persecuted, surveilled and murdered in one of the most totalitarian regimes in the world.”

Bravo to Falun Gong’s Resilience and Perseverance

Jean-Francois Chapuisat, member of the Grand Council of Vaud (left), and Cloé Pointet, member of the Grand Council of Vaud (right)

Jean-Francois Chapuisat, member of the Grand Council of Vaud, said, “It has been more than twenty years since the Chinese Communist Party launched its persecution of Falun Gong practitioners. For more than two decades, some citizens have acted on their own to expose this ideological reform movement and denounce the arbitrary arrests, torture, forced labor, and live organ harvesting. I applaud your tenacity and perseverance, for this will not only keep the pressure on the CCP, but equally on our own leaders. This battle between David and Goliath, which has been going on for far too long, must continue because it is about our humanity!”

Cloé Pointet, member of the Grand Council of Vaud, noted, “No one should be persecuted because of their culture, religion, or any other personal choice. Nor should any minority group be threatened. Today, this principle is far from being realized. One of the worst examples is the persecution of Falun Gong, which means surveillance, forced labor, murder, or other atrocities. We cannot ignore this and must support the practitioners.” 

Your Efforts Will Bear Fruit

Robert Burri, member of the Grand Council of Valais (left), Maxime Moix, member of the Grand Council of Valais (center), and Cynthia Trombert, member of the Grand Council of Valais (right)

Robert Burri, member of the Grand Council of Valais, commented, “What is happening in China right now is appalling and out of proportion to a civilization that has made significant contributions to science and culture for centuries. It is unacceptable to forcibly remove someone’s organs on the basis that they are Falun Gong practitioners.”

Maxime Moix, member of the Grand Council of Valais, said, “The persecution of different minority groups in China, including Falun Gong, is now well documented by much evidence. It is impossible to remain indifferent in the face of these evil acts. The struggle for freedom and respect for human rights must continue without let-up. I look up to all those who are committed to upholding these fundamental values, and I am confident that these efforts will bear fruit.”

Cynthia Trombert, member of the Grand Council of Valais, also said, “I fully support your campaign. It’s already 2022 and it’s outrageous to see such things still taking place. These evil acts shouldn’t happen anymore.”

Wholehearted Support for Falun Gong 

Hubert Dafflon, member of the Grand Council of Fribourg (left), and Erika Schnyder, member of the Grand Council of the State of Fribourg (right)

Hubert Dafflon, member of the Grand Council of Fribourg, stated, “Only free people recognize freedom of expression as a vested right, which can facilitate common development and collective well-being. Falun Gong has these values and is fully deserving of our support.”

Erika Schnyder, member of the Grand Council of the State of Fribourg, added, “You Falun Gong practitioners are constantly subjected to the horrific repression under the Chinese communist regime’s dictatorship. You experience extortion, physical and mental torture. We cannot remain indifferent. We are fortunate to live in a democratic country that respects human rights and we must condemn the inhumane treatment inflicted on you at our capacity and within our means. We must be united and continue to express our outrage, which is the only way to hopefully move things forward. On this special day, we are expressing our wholehearted support for you.”

Simona Buri, member of the Grand Council of the Canton of Tessin

Simona Buri, member of the Grand Council of the Canton of Tessin, said in her letter, “I support freedom of speech, freedom of thought, and the freedom to practice what one believes is right, if that thing is good for oneself and the well-being of the society in which we live. I respect it all and oppose any persecution. Although I cannot be here today for your event, I offer my support to you!”

L'ACAT-Suisse wrote, “On this day, l'ACAT-Suisse expresses its solidarity with Falun Gong practitioners. We support your demand for an independent investigation into the atrocities, arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances and forced organ harvesting against Falun Gong practitioners in China. Those responsible for these crimes must be brought to justice.”