Germany: Government Leaders Voice Support for Falun Gong and Rally Marking 25 Years of Persecution

(Minghui.org) “We must wake up and act to stop the persecution of Falun Gong! Our world needs more Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance,” said Mr. Wu, an expert on China issues. He condemned the persecution of Falun Gong during a rally in Frankfurt, Germany on July 20, 2024.

The rally was held by practitioners from Germany and other European countries to expose the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) 25-year-long persecution. This persecution has brought endless suffering to practitioners in China. Since 1999, practitioners all over the world have continued to peacefully expose this suppression through various means. Their efforts have gained recognition and support from the government and the public.

Practitioners held a rally on July 20, 2024, to tell people about the CCP’s 25-year-long persecution.

At the rally, besides Manyan Ng, board member from the International Society for Human Rights in Germany (IGFM in German), who gave a speech as an invited guest, practitioners also read letters of support from Dirk Bamberger and Oliver Stirböck Members of the German State Parliament. Falun Gong practitioner Ding Lebin from Berlin also sent a letter thanking volunteers for the global efforts to rescue his parents who are detained in China for practicing Falun Gong.

Practitioners demonstrated the five sets of exercises and explained the benefits of the practice as well as the facts of the persecution to people. In the evening, they held a candlelight vigil which attracted many people’s attention. Some stayed for a long time and read the information displays. Many people signed the petition calling for an end to the persecution.

People talked to practitioners to learn about Falun Gong.

People signed the petition calling for an end to the persecution.

A candlelight vigil was held in the evening to commemorate practitioners who were persecuted to death.

Member of Parliament: Practicing Falun Gong Should Not Become a Reason For Being Persecuted

Frank Schwabe, Member of Parliament and Federal Government Commissioner for Freedom of Religion and Belief

Frank Schwabe, Member of Parliament and Federal Government Commissioner for Freedom of Religion and Belief wrote in his letter: “We must try our best once again to ask people to pay attention to the terrible fates of these Chinese citizens.

“Practicing Falun Gong should not become a reason for being persecuted. Such a cultivation way has thousands of years of history like other religions or faith, it should be protected. We cannot let such an important part of Chinese culture disappear.”

He called on the CCP to, “Safeguard international laws, protect human rights and freedom of religious belief.”

At the end of his letter, he wrote, “Ladies and gentlemen, I wish you a dignified evening. Rest assured, I will stay in touch and work together with you to push for freedom of religious belief and world views.”

Federal Member of Parliament: Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance Are Universal Values

Nadine Ruf, a Federal Member of Parliament

Nadine Ruf, a Federal Member of Parliament, wrote, “Falun Gong’s basic values are Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, which are universal values of humanity and should be supported by those who firmly believe in human dignity and freedom. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Falun Gong practitioners for their courage to uphold their values despite years of imprisonment, torture, persecution, and threats of death.”

She ended her letter by saying, “To me, supporting Falun Gong practitioners in exercising their rights to freedom of religious belief and world views are particularly important.”

Expert on China Issues: Take Effective Action to Stop the Persecution

Manyan Ng, an expert on China issues spoke at the rally. He said: “Recently, the U.S government has taken a new step in the right direction, passing the ‘Falun Gong Protection Act’. It will take effect if the Senate and President approves this law. All officials in the CCP: those who participate in the persecution will be sanctioned and punished in other ways. We welcome this initiative. We call on politicians in Europe to adopt similar measures.”

“There are no national boundaries in human rights. The CCP’s acts violating human rights will keep increasing as it expands its influence. The People’s Republic of China is a superpower globally, its acts infringing human rights will inevitably become global actions. Now is the time to take effective action or it will be too late.”

“For a better world, let us work together to stop the persecution!”

In his letter, Falun Gong practitioner Ding Lebin cited his family’s experience as an example and encouraged people to resist the persecution. He wrote: “Every signature and vote has great value! The efforts of citizens in Europe, politicians and media in helping my parents have reaped significant rewards. In addition, such efforts will contribute to ending the ongoing persecution of Falun Gong in China. Therefore, don’t underestimate the great power of every signature. At the crucial moment, not only will it free people like my parents from suffering, it will also prevent them from being subjected to torture and organ harvesting. I sincerely thank all of you for your support and voices of justice!”

Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance Brings Lasting Happiness

Despite high temperatures that day, many people stopped to take fliers and spoke to practitioners to find out information.

A woman riding a bicycle stopped at the table where the petition was placed. After a practitioner told her about the persecution, she signed the petition. She told the practitioner: “We must unite and resist this persecution together.”

A young man stopped and watched practitioners’ activities. He then asked a practitioner what Falun Gong is. He was particularly interested in Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance. He thought these values would bring lasting happiness to people. After they talked, he signed up for the nine day introductory class to be held in Frankfurt two days later.