(Minghui.org) The award-winning documentary State Organs was screened at Halle König Ludwig in Recklinghausen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, on June 28, 2026.

Released in 2024, the film’s full title is State Organs: Unmasking Transplant Abuse in China. It follows the story of two families in China on a 20-year journey in search of missing family members, and exposes the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) forced organ harvesting from Falun Gong (also called Falun Dafa) practitioners.

The event was supported by prominent public officials, including a member of the German Parliament, and council representatives from Recklinghausen. Audience members were shocked to learn of this severe persecution taking place in China and expressed their respect for Falun Gong practitioners.

Opening remarks were given by Andreas Weber, a representative of Doctors Against Forced Organ Harvesting (DAFOH), and Bougna Drabo, president of the Association Maler in Deutschland (Malians in Germany). After the screening, Bodo Klimpel, District Administrator of Recklinghausen, and Claudia Schweppe, Deputy Mayor of Recklinghausen, also delivered speeches.

The subsequent panel discussion was moderated by Mr. Weber, and featured Max Lucks, a member of the Bundestaga (MdB) (Federal Parliament of Germany) serving on the Committee on Human Rights and Humanitarian Aid in the Bundestaga; Falun Gong practitioner Zhihong Zheng; and film screenwriter Cindy Song via live video link.

Panel discussion following the screening of State Organs in Recklinghausen: Moderator Andreas Weber (left), film screenwriter Cindy Song (via live video), Max Lucks (center) MdB, and Zhihong Zheng (right) (Minghui.org)

MdB: Germany Must Increase Pressure on China

Max Lucks MdB speaks during the panel discussion. (Minghui.org)

Mr. Lucks first thanked the audience for attending, despite the intense summer heat, and praised everyone willing to stand in support of human rights. “It gives one hope. As the spokesperson of The Greens on human rights policy, I can say that forced organ harvesting and organ trafficking are issues of great concern, both in the human rights work of the Bundestaga, and in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.”

The lawmaker said that Germany must exert “greater pressure on countries like Communist China. … The inspiration I take away from tonight is that we must once again increase the pressure regarding this issue of forced organ harvesting, and that this must move forward as quickly as possible.”

District Administrator: Human Dignity Is Inviolable

Bodo Klimpel, District Administrator of Recklinghausen, made remarks before the screening. (Minghui.org)

Bodo Klimpel, District Administrator of Recklinghausen (Christian Democratic Union, CDU), said in his speech, “Our Basic Law contains what I believe is its most important sentence, ‘Human dignity shall be inviolable. To respect and protect it shall be the duty of all state authority.’ This reminds us that no country and no ideology has the right to deprive a person of freedom, dignity, or life.

“That is why, whenever serious human rights violations are suspected or proven, we must never turn a blind eye. We must take responsibility and speak for those who cannot speak for themselves.”

Mr. Klimpel added that the film also calls on people to show compassion, and reminds the public that human rights should never be taken for granted: “May this film not only touch our hearts, but also inspire us to defend the values that lie at the core of our free and democratic society—humanity, dignity, and respect for every human life.”

Deputy Mayor: Dedication Beyond Measure

Claudia Schweppe, Deputy Mayor of Recklinghausen, welcomes the audience. (Minghui.org)

Claudia Schweppe, Deputy Mayor of Recklinghausen (Social Democratic Party, SPD), said in her speech, “The documentary State Organs is profound and deeply thought-provoking. Without question, it will leave every viewer deeply moved. With chilling clarity, it reveals the systematic operation of organ trafficking in Communist China, along with the unimaginable human suffering hidden behind it.”

She expressed particular gratitude to Doctors Against Forced Organ Harvesting: “Since 2006, this international non-profit, non-governmental organization has spared no effort in combating illegal organ trafficking. Through advocacy, networking, and political engagement, its dedication is beyond measure.”

President of German Malian Association Attends With Family

Bougna Drabo, one of the event organizers and president of the Malian Association in Germany, watched the documentary with her whole family.

She was deeply moved by the scenes showing the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners: “I think this is extremely sad, and I hope this kind of thing will never happen again.” During the conversation, Ms. Drabo choked up several times and said with tears in her eyes, “When I watched it, I was so shocked that I cried. This is horrifying. I hope that one day these problems can be resolved... I hope everyone can become advocates for human rights and jointly oppose such things.”

Audience Members: These Evil Acts Must Be Stopped Immediately

After watching the film, audience member Andrea said, “When ordinary people are healthy and living happy lives, the rulers of a country should be the happiest of all. What reason would they [the CCP] have to fear these people? I am now very curious, and want to know more about Falun Gong.”

Andrea said that she had previously watched videos introducing Falun Gong. “Those were all about meditation and doing the exercises,” she said. “Regarding Falun Gong practitioners being tortured to death, and even subjected to the forced organ harvesting, I knew nothing about this. Before watching this film, I had never truly realized how bad the persecution in China really is.” Browsing the official Falun Dafa website on her phone, she said, “I have already found a practice site in a nearby city. I will definitely go and learn more.”

Local resident Dagmar expressed similar views, “These people are kind and healthy. They are model citizens and members of society, yet they are subjected to such persecution. I cannot understand or accept this.”

Dagmar learned that Falun Gong is a spiritual practice rooted in traditional Chinese culture, with Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance as its guiding principles. She understood that the CCP’s atheistic ideology is fundamentally incompatible with China’s ancient traditions based on morality and reverence for the divine, and learned more about the CCP’s political movements to destroy traditional culture since it came to power. Dagmar said, “People have souls and humanity. The CCP dares to persecute Falun Gong practitioners so severely because it only views them as human materials.”

Christine Löbus, a teacher, said, “I must say that I am stunned. Although I had heard about this issue before, I never imagined it could be so serious. I greatly admire people who, even after suffering torture, are still able to uphold their faith and values. I hope more people can watch this film. I think illegal organ trafficking must be prevented at institutional and legal levels.”

After watching the film, Christian Herrler was interested in reading Falun Gong books to gain a deeper understanding. He said, “I have never heard of Falun Gong before, and did not know they suffered persecution and physical abuse for their beliefs. To me, this represents a whole new level of systematic killing driven by economic and political motives, and this makes me really angry. Such an atrocity should never happen anywhere. It is truly appalling.

“I believe this is not merely a situation concerning China,” he added. “One of the messages this film conveys is about taking action. People must stand up and loudly say ‘Stop!’”

Deeply Touched by Practitioners’ Firm Belief

Audience member Felix was profoundly moved by the film. (Minghui.org)

Felix, from Düsseldorf, had not seen any reports about the persecution of Falun Gong issue in German news. “It’s hard to express my feelings,” he said. “For millions of Chinese people, being forbidden from doing something that is beneficial must be such a terrifying thing.”

Earlier that day, Felix had learned the Falun Gong exercises, and said it felt very beneficial. “Even just this one session made me feel that I benefited tremendously. I cannot understand why the CCP persecutes Falun Gong. For a regime to do something like this simply because it fears losing power is completely absurd. Those in charge are murderers; they are criminals.

“I feel deep sorrow for every Falun Gong practitioner who has been victimized, and for every person who has lost an uncle, aunt, grandmother, brother, or sister,” he continued. “For decades, the Chinese people have suffered unimaginable hardship in terms of human rights. This is an extremely terrifying story, and has left me utterly dismayed.”

Felix mentioned a scene in which a military police officer recounted witnessing a female teacher being subjected to forced organ harvesting while still alive. Felix expressed great admiration for the practitioner who, while still conscious and enduring extreme pain, continued to say, “Falun Dafa is good.” He said, “This came from her firm belief in Falun Gong, and it truly moved me deeply. It feels as though a person’s greatest power comes from within their heart and the source of life.”