(Minghui.org) July 20 marks the 24th anniversary since the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) began to suppress Falun Gong in 1999. Government officials from around the world issued statements to support practitioners and call to end the brutality. These governments include the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Belgium, Finland, the Netherlands, Ireland, Austria, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Israel, and others
In addition, practitioners in 44 countries have submitted a new list of perpetrators to their individual governments, urging to hold them accountable for their human rights abuses. This includes barring these perpetrators and their families from entering the country, as well as freezing their assets. These countries are the Five Eyes Alliance (the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand), all 27 countries in the European Union (Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, Belgium, Ireland, Austria, Denmark, Romania, Czech Republic, Finland, Portugal, Greece, Hungary, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Luxembourg, Croatia, Lithuania, Slovenia, Latvia, Estonia, Cyprus and Malta), and 12 additional countries (Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein, Israel, Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, Chile and Dominica). This is the first time that Lithuania has participated in this initiative.
U.S. Government Officials
The U.S. Department of State and U.S. Congress members have made announcements, issued proclamations, and sent video messages or written letters to support Falun Gong practitioners.
Support from U.S. Congress membersFirst row (from left to right): Sen. Marco Rubio, Sen. John Boozman, Sen. Ted Cruz, Sen. Todd Young, Sen. Jeff MerkleySecond row (from left to right): Rep. Nancy Pelosi, Rep. Chris Smith, Rep. Sam Graves, Rep. Stephen Lynch, Rep. Gerry ConnollyThird row (from left to right): Rep. Bill Pascrell, Rep. Donald Norcross, Rep. French Hill, Rep. Young Kim, Rep. David TroneFourth row (from left to right): Rep. Glenn Grothman, Rep. Thomas P. Tiffany, Rep. Nancy Mace, Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Rep. Kevin Kiley, and Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton
U.S. Department of State spokesperson Matthew Miller tweeted on July 20 that, “Today, we recognize 24 years since the People’s Republic of China launched a campaign of repression, inside and outside its borders, against Falun Gong and its millions of practitioners, advocates, and human rights defenders. We stand in solidarity with this community.”
Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC) issued a tweet on the same day. “For the past 24 years, #FalunGong practitioners have suffered the most appalling human rights abuses imaginable – abuses that are ongoing. FLG practitioner must be released and PRC officials held accountable for their crimes, including by @UNHumanRights, say @CECCgov Chairs,” wrote chair Representative Chris Smith and co-chair Senator Jeff Merkley.
In another tweet, Smith and Merkley wrote, “We urge the PRC government to unconditionally release #XuNa, #DengCuiping, #ZhouDeyong and all detained #FalunGong practitioners, including cases found in the @CECCgov’s searchable political Prisoner Database.”
Senator Ted Cruz stated in a video message, “In China, Falun Gong practitioners follow and practice their beliefs under the threat of persecution and death. The CCP’s hostility to religious liberty runs through communist countries. Tragically, it is a central tenet of their beliefs. In the face of such persecution and intolerance, we must stand together. Inaction is not acceptable. It is up to us to stand up for those being persecuted in China and make our voices heard.”
Congresswoman and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi welcomed Falun Gong practitioners to Washington D.C. “I applaud your tireless work defending religious freedom and bringing awareness to the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners,” she wrote in a letter. “America’s commitment to human rights in China is bipartisan, bicameral, and unwavering – and we always remain vigilant in defense of human rights around the world.”
Senator John Boozman stated in his letter, “Your struggle continues to inspire all who respect freedom of religion, and, as I have said before, you have given hope and encouragement not only to Falun Gong practitioners who remain persecuted, but also to all other oppressed religious and ethnic groups around the world.” “Your experience is a perfect example as to why the United States must continue to be a leader in ending violence and tragic abuses of human rights, and condemn those who violate international law.”
Candlelight vigil by over 1,500 Falun Gong practitioners in the evening of July 20 between Capitol Hill and Washington Monument
Representatives from 10 government agencies and non-government organizations gathered at the National Mall on July 20 to condemn the 24-year-long persecution in China. “USCIRF will continue to urge the U.S. government to take more consequential actions to hold the Chinese government and its agents accountable for religious freedom abuses in China and in the United States,” wrote Abraham Cooper, Chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF). “Moreover, the U.S. government must continue to pursue a multilateral approach, working together with like-minded international partners to expose the CCP’s abuses and to use all tools at their disposal to counter these abuses, including by imposing targeted sanctions against Chinese officials and entities responsible for severe religious freedom violations.”
Speakers during the rally at National Mall on July 20.First row (from left to right): Piero Tozzi (staff director of CECC and senior policy advisor to Rep. Smith), Abraham Cooper (Chair of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, USCIRF), Nina Shea (Director of the Center for Religious Freedom at the Hudson Institute), Sean Nelson (Legal Counsel for Global Religious Freedom with ADF International), Sarah Cook (Senior Advisor at Freedom House), Ambassador Andrew Bremberg (President of the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation)Second row (from left to right): Katrina Lantos Swett (President of the Lantos Foundation for Human Rights and Justice), Arielle Del Turco (Director of the Center for Religious Liberty at Family Research Council), Wendy Wright (President for Christian Freedom International), Darren Spinck (Associate Fellow from The Henry Jackson Society), and Faith McDonnell (Director of Religious Liberty Program at the Institute on Religion and Democracy)
Falun Gong practitioners peacefully rallied on the National Mall on July 20, 2023
State-Level Activities in the U.S.
Video message from New York State Assemblyman Karl Brabenec
Many local activities took place in July, calling to end the CCP’s atrocities. “In the spirit of liberty and justice, we must raise our voices to support Falun Gong practitioners in their quest for religious freedom and human rights. Their unwavering commitment to non-violent resistance serves as inspiration to us all, demonstrating the strength of human spirit in face of adversity,” said New York State Assemblyman Karl Brabenec.
Jason S. Miyares is the Attorney General of Virginia.
In his letter Jason S. Miyares, the Attorney General of Virginia, wrote, “I recognize the Falun Gong community and its contributions to both the Commonwealth of Virginia and the United States of America. I will continue to work to ensure that Virginia always remains a model of religious and cultural diversity, and I am committed to protecting the civil rights of all Falun Gong. It is an honor to champion your dignity, fight for your freedom and stand with you against oppression.”
Voices from Social Media
The U.S. government and elected officials also voiced their opinions through social media.
Tweet from U.S. Department of State spokesperson Matthew Miller
Matthew Miller, spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State, posted this message on Twitter on July 20: “Today, we recognize 24 years since the People's Republic of China launched a campaign of repression, inside and outside its borders, against Falun Gong and its millions of practitioners, advocates, and human rights defenders. We stand in solidarity with this community.”
On July 20, during the State Department's regular press conference, reporters asked State Department spokesperson Miller about the CCP's 24-year persecution of Falun Gong, the continuation of the persecution, and about the atrocity of live organ harvesting. When asked if the U.S. government has plans to increase pressure on the CCP, Mr. Miller said, “We have already stated our position. As you said, we have taken a series of measures. This issue is our concern, but we will not preview sanctions or other law enforcement measures here.”
U.S. Ambassdor at Large Rashad Hussain's social media post
U.S. Ambassdor at Large Rashad Hussain stated in his post, “The people’s Republic of China should end its 24-year persecution of followers of Falun Gong, a meditation practice in the Buddhist tradition centered on truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance. PRC abuses have targeted and harmed millions of practitioners, including individuals in the U.S.”
Representative Pete Sessions from Texas posted a message on social media.
House Representative Pete Sessions stated in his post on social media: “The CCP has persecuted Falun Gong practitioners for 24 years.
“We must not ignore the egregious human rights violations committed daily against the peaceful people practicing Falun Gong in China.
“I am proud to stand by these individuals, and for religious liberty worldwide.”
Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton of Washington DC posted a message on social media.
Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton of Washington DC wrote in a Tweet on July 20: “On the 24th anniversary of the start of the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China, I highlighted the letter of support I wrote to practitioners in DC and around the world who are working to end this abominable oppression.”
Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania posted a message on social media.
“On this day in 1999, the CCP launched a brutal persecution of #FalunGong, a spiritual practice based on Truthfulness, Compassion & Tolerance,” wrote Representative Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania on July 20. “The Falun Gong Protection Act seeks to stop the torture, forced organ harvesting and killing of these peaceful people. #FreeFalunGong”
Canadian MPs: Growing Awareness
Retired Senator Consiglio Di Nino spoke at a rally in Toronto on July 15, 2023.
Various Canadians also showed their support. During a rally in Queens Park in Toronto on July 15, 2023, retired Senator Consiglio Di Nino said, “The issues don’t seem to change much. I speak here to give support and strength to Falun Gong practitioners.” He said that practitioners’ efforts to expose the persecution has gained widespread attention, that people all over the world accept and recognize Falun Gong practitioners, but the CCP is still insisting on going its own way. The CCP is doomed by not listening to the voices of the people.
“I started supporting you more than ten years ago. I am impressed by one thing: The youth of the community came as children, as young men and women. I see them now as basically adults and they still come with us,” he continued. Di Nino said that, although his body has become weaker, his voice in protest of the CCP was still loud and strong. He stands beside practitioners and will do his best to support and help them.
Former MP Wladslaw Lizon
Wladslaw Lizon, former MP (Member of Parliament), said in the same rally that people who were suppressed by the CCP authorities, as well as those in the international community, must work together to end the Party’s violent persecution. Twenty-four years ago, the CCP began to persecute Falun Gong. When it made this decision, the CCP wanted to completely eliminate this belief. However, it is the CCP, a powerful and tyrannical regime, that should be eradicated.
Garnett Genius MP (from the Canadian Parliament’s official website)
Garnett Genius MP, co-chair of Canada’s Parliamentary Friends of Falun Gong, said in a recent interview that, “I think Falun Gong practitioners have been incredibly effective in bringing attention and awareness to the persecutions that are ongoing... They have employed so many different ways of raising awareness, but also sharing traditional Chinese culture as part of those awareness-raising efforts.” “There’s a lot more work to do. And there are a lot of headwinds, but I think there is a growing awareness of what the CCP is trying to do in our societies,” he added.
Michael Cooper MP supports practitioners’ peacefully protesting the persecution.
Michael Cooper MP expressed support for Falun Gong practitioners around the world in their peaceful protests in an exclusive interview on July 19. He said, “We hear you and we know what is happening and the world knows what is happening. And justice must prevail, and the perpetrators of these gross human rights violations must be held accountable.
“And it has been 24 years, 24 years in which Falun Gong practitioners have been subjected to torture, extrajudicial killings, forced organ harvesting, and these are among the most egregious of human rights violations imaginable and they’re being perpetrated by the Chinese communist regime,” he explained. “And as a member of Parliament, I’m going to continue to highlight these human rights violations at every opportunity that I have available and to call for the Government of Canada to take action, including the imposition of sanctions actions.”
Kevin Lamoureux MP
Kevin Lamoureux MP said in an interview on July 28 that he’s seen Falun Gong practitioners not only in Winnipeg, but also Ukraine. He respects practitioners for their perseverance in upholding the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance which represent Canada’s values. Lamoureux praised Falun Gong practitioners for their peaceful efforts, and said Canadians would recognize the CCP’s human rights violations and respond to them.
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