(Minghui.org) It’s been 23 years since the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) launched the persecution of Falun Gong in July 1999. Over the course of these years, Falun Gong (also known as Falun Dafa) practitioners around the globe have tirelessly held public events to raise awareness about the persecution and urge China's communist regime to finally bring it to an end.

Practitioners held rallies throughout Australia in July 2022, and numerous elected officials attended the rallies or sent letters to show practitioners their support and to condemn the ongoing persecution of Falun Gong in China. The following is a collection of messages sent by dignitaries.

“We Must Continue to Call Out Human Rights Abuses in China”

Senator Jordon Steele-John from Australian Greens sent a letter to support Falun Gong practitioners’ rally.

Senator Jordon Steele-John from Australian Greens sent a letter to the Falun Dafa Association prior to the event. He wrote, “I support this movement and recognise the importance of spreading awareness of what is happening in China to Falun Dafa practitioners. We must continue to call out human rights abuses in China where they occur and ensure that in maintaining our economic and trade relationship, we are not ignoring the violation of the rights of so many.

“I welcome and appreciate the contributions of Falun Dafa practitioners here in Australia. It is cultural diversity and multiculturalism that make this country so prosperous.”

Defend Universal Values

David Limbrick MP, Liberal Democratic Party member of the Victorian Legislative Council, addressed the rally on July 9, 2022.

David Limbrick MP, Liberal Democratic Party member of the Victorian Legislative Council, attended the rally on July 9, 2022 and said, “The people who understand the meaning of freedom the most are often those who have lost it. Many of those who came to Australia lost their freedom, and many of them were Falun Dafa practitioners. They have been persecuted in China for 23 years.”

Mr. Limbrick said in an interview, “Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance are principles that everyone can understand, and universal values that appeal to everyone in the world. If we don’t defend these principles and take action to stop the persecution in another country, the same thing can happen in Australia.”

Letter from Bernie Finn MP, member of the Victorian Legislative Council, to support the Falun Gong rally.

Bernie Finn MP, State Leader, Democratic Labour Party wrote in the letter he sent to support practitioners, “I am delighted to express my strong support for practitioners of Falun Dafa, particularly those facing ongoing persecution and death in China.”

“My warmest wishes to the Falun Dafa community. Be strong and know I stand with you. You-we will win.”

Commend the Principles of Truth, Compassion, Forbearance

Tammy Franks, Greens SA Parliamentary Co-leader and the letter she sent to commemorate 23 years of practitioners’ exposing the persecution.

Tammy Franks, Greens SA Parliamentary Co-leader wrote, “Twenty-three years is a long time to face persecution, and we all know that there is no legal basis for the Chinese Communist Party’s ongoing persecution of practitioners. I want to thank the members of the community who have fought against this persecution, and who have fought for freedom and democracy for so long. I commend the spirit of practitioners who remain committed to their principles of truth, compassion, and forbearance during these difficult years.

“It takes great strength to stand strong and stand up for your beliefs and practices in the face of ongoing opposition and persecution. Thank you for your commitment to peacefully defending your right to practice your faith and principles, and please know that we stand with you.”

Call to End Violent Persecution

Michael Berkman, Greens MP for Maiwar in Queensland and his letter of support

Michael Berkman, Greens MP for Maiwar in Queensland, sent a support letter to the organizer of the July 20th activities.

In his letter Mr. Berkman wrote, “The 20th of July 2022 marks the 23rd anniversary of the Chinese Communist Party’s brutal persecution of innocent Falun Gong practitioners in China. On this day every year, Falun Gong practitioners all around the world hold activities to mourn fellow practitioners who have died and suffered from this persecution. It is also a day (when) we call for an end to this brutality.”

“I join Falun Dafa practitioners in their call for an end to violence and persecution. I send my support to those who will be mourning in Brisbane on the 16th of July. Please accept my condolences.”

“Should Be Allowed to Practise Their Belief Freely”

Silvana Nero, wife of the Rev. Hon. Fred Nile MLC, reads his letter during the rally on July 8, 2022 in front of Sydney’s Customs House.

Silvana Nero, wife of the Rev. Hon. Fred Nile MLC, read his letter of support during the rally. Rev. Nile is the former Christian Democratic Party Leader. In his letter, he said that in the 1990s the CCP welcomed the spiritual movement Falun Gong. The Party recognized the benefits of practicing Falun Gong on physical and mental health, and praised Falun Gong for its extraordinary contribution to the stability and morality of Chinese society. The principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance that Falun Gong is based on guides people to improve their morality.

Rev. Nile said, “Falun Gong practitioners should not be incarcerated as they do not violate the law. They should be allowed to practise their belief freely. They become healthy as they practise according to the principles, which are derived from traditional Chinese culture. Modern China must restore these principles.”

Civilized Nations Should Ban Organ Harvesting

Prof. David Flint AM addressed the rally on July 8, 2022 in Sydney.

David Flint AM, Emeritus Professor of Law, said, “We must firmly support Falun Gong. We must keep requesting our government to take the strongest stand against this [persecution].”

Prof. Flint called on the government to unite with its allies, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States, and encourage them to take a similarly tough stance. He encouraged everyone to follow the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.

He also condemned the CCP’s organ harvesting from living Falun Gong practitioners and said it was outrageous and that any civilized nation should ban it. He called on people to pay attention to any regime that engages in such shameful activities.

Andrew Wilson, former Lord Mayor of Parramatta City Council, addressed the rally on July 8, 2022 in Sydney.

Andrew Wilson, former Lord Mayor of Parramatta City Council, said that people can find on the Internet how much an organ costs in China. The Chinese Communist regime sells the organs of Falun Gong practitioners like selling cars. The buyers would be told that the organs came from Falun Gong practitioners, who are healthy mentally and physically.

Wilson said that it was beyond any Australian’s comprehension that the Chinese authorities would profit from organs harvested from living Falun Gong practitioners. He hopes that people will contact their local representatives and ask them to help stop the persecution of Falun Gong.

Witnessed How CCP Spread Propaganda Against Falun Gong

Mehmet Obul, President of the Uyghur Association of Australia, speaks at the rally on July 8, 2022 in Sydney.

Mehmet Obul, President of the Uyghur Association of Australia, talked about his personal experience of how the CCP slanders Falun Gong.

“The first time I heard about Falun Gong was during summer vacation at the end of July 1999,” he said. “I was a university teacher in Xinjiang, China. We were on vacation and were suddenly asked to return to school for an emergency meeting. The university president declared that Falun Gong was a religious organization of some sort, without giving any further explanation. After that, we had to attend a political study session every Wednesday afternoon. We were forced to criticize Falun Gong. If anyone expressed their own opinions they would risk losing their jobs or would be imprisoned.”

He continued, “When I settled down in Australia in 2003, I learned a lot about the truth about Falun Gong. Practicing Falun Gong is a good thing. China’s policies and repression are actually wrong. All the CCP’s propaganda is false.”

Wake up Humanity and Conscience

Paul Folley, General Manager of the Christian non-profit organization Australian TFP, addressed the Falun Gong rally on July 8, 2022.

Paul Folley, general manager of the Christian non-profit organization Australian TFP (Tradition, Family, Property), said, “It is time for Australia to wake up. It is time for the conscience of our society to wake up. The attitude towards the persecution of Falun Gong and others reflects our attitude towards each other as Australians. It reflects our humanity. Hopefully we can do what we can to help those who are suffering.”

Australian barrister Sophie York sent a letter of support and said that Falun Gong has brought peace of mind and physical and mental health to many Chinese people.

She sent her best wishes to all Falun Dafa practitioners and encouraged them and said, “Your perseverance will win. You have my support and the support of countless civilized people around the world. Never give up!”