(Minghui.org) Falun Gong practitioners from across Bulgaria gathered for a peaceful demonstration in front of the Chinese Embassy in Sofia on December 10 in recognition of International Human Rights Day. Some traveled more than a thousand kilometers to join the protest against the persecution of Falun Gong in China.

Alexandra Boteva from Sofia said, “All of us gathered here believe in the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance. We are here to show the world, especially the Chinese government, that these principles are acceptable and good for everyone in the world, and that we don’t accept the persecution of Falun Gong.”

The Declaration of Human rights was accepted by the United Nations Organization on December 10, 1948. It clearly states that everyone in the world “Has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom, either alone or in the community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observe.”

Two information stands were setup in the center of Sofia following the demonstration. Hundreds of citizens and guests of the Bulgarian capital learned about the persecution of Falun Gong in China, and how people are being detained, tortured, imprisoned, and even killed for their organs, just because they practice Falun Gong.

Many local people also signed the petition for supporting Chinese people suing Jiang Zemin, the former leader of the Chinese Communist Party who instigated the persecution.

Altogether more than two million signatures have been gathered for this petition since it has started in July 2015. More than 700,000 signatures have come from Taiwan. Altogether 18 European countries have provided 155,820 signatures. Bulgarian practitioners collected 1,807 signatures in 2015, and 5,921 in 2016.