On July 20, 2000, Falun Gong practitioners in Switzerland came to Bern to promote Falun Dafa in front of the Federal Building. The world has noticed this. On December 4th, 2000, Swiss Falun Gong practitioners were invited back to the federal building by the Swiss parliament to observe a special session, whose topics included the Falun Gong issue. In the afternoon session, a parliament member questioned the government on the Falun Gong issue. He asked the Federal Government what their attitude is towards the persecution against Falun Gong practitioners in China, and what actions the Swiss Government had taken to secure the release of all jailed practitioners and to end the mistreatment of all the Falun Gong practitioners. He also asked about the government's future plans on this issue. Foreign Minister J. Deiss answered these questions. He said: "Since the Chinese government's ban on Falun Gong in July 1999, practitioners' basic human rights were brutally abused. The Swiss Federal Government has been closely monitoring the events. We asked the Swiss embassy in Beijing to provide us with information on regular basis. Following the bi-lateral relationship agreement between the two countries, the Swiss government has repeatedly raised concerns to China regarding the mistreatment of Falun Gong practitioners. We hope that China would respect the constitutional right of its citizens regarding freedom of belief. The Swiss government has told China more than once that the Falun Gong practitioners don't seem to bring any harm to the society, therefore there is no reason to limit the practitioners' freedom." The minister also said: "At the United Nation's Human Rights Convention in March, some people asked that we ban Falun Gong practitioners' activities in Geneva. We refused. During the convention, the foreign minister expressed concerns of China's harsh treatment toward certain ethnic minorities and religious groups. These groups' basic rights are constantly abridged and blatantly violated. The Swiss government will continue to push the Chinese government to respect all its citizens, including Falun Gong practitioners, especially those in jail." Since the persecution of Falun Gong started in July 1999, practitioners in Switzerland, like tens of thousands of practitioners in other countries, stepped out to defend and promote Falun Dafa. They followed Master's teachings to "Validate Dafa with reason; clarify the truth with wisdom; spread the Fa and save the people with compassion." (Rationality) They joined the historical trend of Fa-rectification. They distributed truth-telling materials to people at all levels and raised strong concerns about the brutal mistreatment of Falun Gong practitioners. As a result, the news media continuously provided positive coverage of Falun Gong. Members of parliament, government officials in the offices of the Foreign Ministry and Ministry of Justice and the Police Department responded positively to Swiss Falun Gong practitioners' requests. A Foreign Ministry official wrote: "Demand for and protection of human rights is one of the corner stones of Swiss foreign policy. The Federal government has been closely monitoring Chinese government's crackdown on ethnic minorities and religious groups. Their basic rights are being flagrantly ignored. This is especially true of Falun Gong practitioners. The Swiss Federal Government and the president are well informed and closely watching these developments in China. They have expressed their opinions to the Chinese government." When he visits China, the Swiss President, Mr. Ogi, will remind the Chinese government that the bi-lateral relationship between Switzerland and China has been established based on the respect of human rights. He will further discuss this topic and express the Swiss government's concern about the current situation. Officials from the Swiss Federal Ministry of Justice and Police wrote a letter to practitioners in which he stated: "I hope we can work together to achieve success." After the Los Angeles event, during which some American Chinese (hired by the Chinese government) disturbed Falun Gong practice, the Swiss police immediately informed all it's branches, asking them to take measures to ensure the Swiss Falun Gong practitioners' safety. The Swiss government officials indicated that Falun Gong is a peaceful movement that benefits health. Falun Gong has never brought any trouble to society, nor has it caused any negative effect. During October and November 1999, practitioners in Switzerland and other European countries started a signature drive. In less than one month, more than 27,000 signatures were collected in Switzerland alone. The practitioners felt strongly that, with the development of the Fa-rectification, more and more people have begun to learn about Falun Dafa. A reporter from the "Swiss Times" wrote: "The positive public reaction far exceeds Falun Gong practitioners' expectations. Many people signed their names to express their support to Falun Gong and their outrage to the Chinese government's brutal persecution." On November 20, 2000, the practitioners submitted the signatures to the Swiss Federal Government. An official who received the signatures said: "So many people signed their names to denounce the Chinese government's persecution of Falun Gong. This is an undeniable fact. It represents the will of the Swiss people. The Swiss Government and the parliament will continue to urge China to stop the persecution. We will push China to start a peaceful dialogue and resolve the crisis. China should allow people the freedom of belief." Before the New Year, a Swiss Foreign Minister wrote in a letter to Falun Gong practitioners: "I hope the New Year brings justice to Falun Gong practitioners. I hope the practitioners' rights will be respected as well." A newspaper's chief editor wrote: "Falun Gong practitioners, may your glorious efforts achieve success in 2001." A Falun Gong Practitioner in Switzerland January 3, 2001
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