(Minghui.org) July 20 marks the 24th year since the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) began to suppress Falun Gong (also known as Falun Dafa) in 1999. Government officials from around the world have issued statements to express support for Falun Gong practitioners and to call for ending the brutality. In addition to government officials from Europe and the U.S. who sent letters, videos, or spoke in person at events to express their support, officials from Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and Taiwan in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as Israel in the Middle East have condemned the CCP’s persecution and expressed solidarity with Falun Gong.

Australian Politicians Support Falun Gong Practitioners Peacefully Protesting the Persecution

Falun Gong practitioners held a rally at Martin Place, in Sydney, Australia on July 14, 2023, to expose the CCP’s 24-year-long persecution.

Several invited guests expressed their admiration for the courage and perseverance of practitioners who have peacefully protested the CCP’s persecution for so many years in order to safeguard freedom of belief.

CR Sreeni Pillamarri, Hornsby Shire Council Councilor, JP NSW, addressed the July 14 rally.

CR Sreeni Pillamarri of New South Wales said, “From 1999 to today, for 24 years, Falun Gong practitioners have relentlessly raised awareness to the world. They have won praise and support from the whole world. I think the CCP regime needs to be soberly aware of this fact and immediately stop the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners, including live organ harvesting.”

He said that the Falun Gong group was a natural, peaceful, and integrated community, which cannot be found anywhere else. They should all applaud themselves and keep doing good things, especially the free teaching of the exercises. Mr. Pillamarri said he would always support Falun Gong practitioners.

Andrew Wilson, former Lord Mayor of Parramatta, addressed the rally.

Andrew Wilson, former Lord Mayor of Parramatta City in New South Wales, praised practitioners’ peacefully protesting the persecution.

He said, “That’s why I have so much respect for my Falun Dafa friends.

“Don’t let their [the CCP’s] barbarism, viciousness, and inhumanity affect you. Stick to your principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. You are the victors! I believe China will be free.”

Paul Folley, general manager at Australian TFP, addressed the rally.

When talking about the CCP’s persecution of Falun Gong, Paul Folley, general manager at Tradition, Family, and Property (TFP), said, “This persecution is undoubtedly one of the major crimes against humanity in the contemporary era. Since the persecution of Falun Gong began in 1999, the live organ harvesting has continued on an industrial scale in China, which is a well-known fact.”

Foley also said there were many Australians who know what is happening. “We are here today to testify for you and show our support for you,” he said. “You are not alone today. We are with you. We will be with you until China becomes a free and open country, and the Chinese people can live like free people and breathe the free air that God has created for us all.”

New Zealand Officials Support Falun Gong 

Practitioners held a rally on July 15, 2023, in the commercial center of Newmarket in Auckland to mark the 24th anniversary of their peacefully exposing the CCP’s persecution. People from all walks of life attended and some gave speeches. Many said they admired the way practitioners have continued to peacefully protest the persecution for 24 years.

Barry Wilson, President of the Auckland Council for Civil Liberties, addressed the rally.

Barry Wilson, President of the Auckland Council for Civil Liberties, said, “I admire Falun Gong practitioners. The CCP is now lying about live organ harvesting, but we all know that this evil continues. This is why it is so important for practitioners to insist on exposing the persecution, and they deserve our great appreciation.”

Mr. Wilson said that it is time for New Zealand, along with other liberal democracies, to impose sanctions on the CCP. He added, “The CCP may be the biggest bully, but what it hates the most are those who speak out against human rights violations. This is the way you should take it: ‘Together with your allies, confront the bully.’”

Tony Brunt, former City Councilor of Wellington, New Zealand, addressed the rally.

Tony Brunt, former City Councilor of Wellington, pointed out, “The CCP has organized organ harvesting and the murder of innocent people. This is an act of incomprehensible evil. The CCP regime is a regime that has committed the worst crime against humanity since the Holocaust in World War II, [it is] a regime that operates outside the boundaries of our planetary civilization.

“The CCP’s human rights violations are widespread and long-standing. The authoritarian system imposed by the CCP is a threat not only to Chinese citizens, but also to established norms of civilization and the human rights of the international community,” Brunt said.

He said that the CCP is an illegal organization and that the human rights violations, torture, and murder condoned by its judiciary, police, and prison system, as well as organ harvesting and transplantation crimes, should be investigated.

Margo MacVicar (right) speaks at a rally in front of New Zealand Parliament Buildings.

Falun Gong practitioners in New Zealand held a parade through the busy streets of the center of Wellington on July 19, 2023. They staged a rally in Midland Park and at the New Zealand Parliament Buildings to commemorate the 24th anniversary of protesting the persecution. 

Margo MacVicar, head of New Zealand’s International Coalition to End Transplant Abuse in China (ETAC), spoke at the rally. “Thousands of Chinese citizens are murdered every week on hospital operating tables, and their organs are sold,” she stated. “These innocent victims mainly include Falun Gong practitioners, as well as Uyghur Muslims, Christians, and Tibetans.

“Across the globe, human rights activists, parliamentarians, NGOs and other groups have been working tirelessly to stop this illegal and horrific crime.

“Some countries have enacted legislation to stop forced organ harvesting and protect their citizens from complicity,” she stressed. “[In the U.S., the State of] Texas, for example, passed a law banning health insurance coverage for organs illegally transplanted in China. Also, elsewhere; U.S. Congressman Scott Perry introduced a bill called the Falun Gong Protection Act, which aims to sanction criminals involved in forced organ harvesting, and ban them from entering the United States.”

MacVicar urged the New Zealand government and people to also act. “New Zealand needs to formally urge its citizens and residents not to travel to China for organ transplants; We propose to ban the entry of persons associated with organ transplant abuse – the establishment of an obligatory reporting system. Citizens are required to return to the country after their origin, where organ transplant tourism happened, and report the situation, and more.”

In closing, Ms. MacVicar said, “As a nation, New Zealand has a moral and ethical obligation to help end China’s illegal organ transplant industry and to resist a regime that kills its own citizens for profit. Let us work together to stop this atrocity committed by the CCP, and bring this human tragedy to an end as soon as possible.”

Israeli Dignitaries Support Falun Gong Practitioners’ Effort Against the Persecution

Practitioners peacefully rallied outside the Chinese Embassy in Tel Aviv on July 20, 2023, to mark the 24 years they have exposed the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) persecution of Falun Gong. Several political figures and scholars attended the rally or sent letters of support to practitioners and to condemn the ongoing persecution.

Mossi Raz, former member of the Israeli Parliament (Knesset)

In his letter, Mossi Raz, former member of the Israeli Parliament (Knesset), stated, “The Chinese government must stop the organ harvesting and persecution of Falun Gong and release all political prisoners from the prisons and guarantee their freedom.” 

Rabbi Michael Melchior, former Minister of Social and Diaspora Affairs

Rabbi Michael Melchior, former Minister of Social and Diaspora Affairs, sent a letter to the rally and his representative read it. Rabbi Melchior wrote that although many countries and organizations claim that protesting against the Chinese communist regime is futile, “We know that this is not true. The Chinese regime is extremely sensitive to any criticism from home and abroad and therefore reacts so strongly against all those who protest against the terrible injustices that simply cannot be denied.”

He urged the Israeli public to stand in solidarity with Falun Dafa practitioners in calling for an end to the persecution.

Rabbi Michael Pua addressed the rally outside the Chinese Embassy in Tel Aviv.

Rabbi Michael Pua, former adviser to an Israeli government minister, encouraged practitioners to keep making their voices heard, even though they face the CCP’s blockade. “Twenty-four years ago, the evil regime in China started to persecute Falun Gong practitioners,” he said. “A few years later the walls of evil and the iron walls were breached and the information about the persecution came out.”

He believes that justice will prevail and that the practitioners in China will be free to follow their belief some day, as long as kindhearted people keep speaking up. 

Rabbi Pua warned the perpetrators of the persecution that their actions will be judged. “Our struggle will continue, the voice of conscience, even of a few people, will break the walls of evil and you, the persecutors, will be held accountable. You will be judged by history and pay a terrible price for the crimes you are committing.”

Japanese Officials Condemn the Persecution

Practitioners in Japan held two parades to call for an end to the CCP’s persecution of Falun Gong in China. The parades were held in the Kansai area on July 15 and 16 in the cities of Osaka and Kyoto. Many parliament members and non-governmental supporters specifically made a trip to the parades or sent speeches to be read to show their support for Falun Gong and to condemn the persecution.

Mr. Takashi Nagao, a former Member of the House of Representatives of Japan, came to the parade’s starting point, Aizen Park, to support practitioners’ efforts to end the persecution.

Former Member of the House of Representatives, Mr. Takashi Nagao.

Mr. Takashi Nagao has shown support for Falun Dafa since the early days of the persecution. He was also one of the first Members of Parliament to publicly object to the live organ harvesting by the CCP in China. Mr. Nagao said, “I believe that if we were to clarify to the whole world about the cruel nature of the CCP’s suppression and the persecution of human rights that is being suffered by Falun Dafa practitioners, people will definitely understand it and become a beam of light amid the darkness. Let us all come together to stop the CCP’s persecution of human rights.”

At the rally before the parade, many Japanese lawmakers and CCP critics also sent in their speeches. Senator Mr. Horoshi Yamada mentioned in his speech, “The CCP’s live organ harvesting [perpetrated] on Falun Dafa practitioners is an unprecedented crime in mankind’s history. It is an evil act that is contradictory to civilization and progress. I have already brought up this issue in Congress many times. Japan is a country that is ruled by law and emphasizes human rights. We should speak out to protest against the CCP’s perverse persecution of human rights and take action to end this persecution soon. From now on, I will also work together with everyone here.”

Mr. Rintaro Ishibashi, Member of the House of Representatives

Mr. Rintaro Ishibashi, Member of the House of Representatives, wrote in his letter, “Being kidnapped just for practicing Falun Dafa is something that should never have happened, much less to add the evil act of forced live organ harvesting. No matter what, we should not turn a blind eye to this matter. Now, in this instant, I feel deep indignation when I think of the many people that are still being deprived of their freedom. The CCP’s going its own way not only affects China itself, it also affects its neighboring countries, which includes our country. This is an undisguised threat to us, a country that emphasizes freedom, human rights, democracy, and the rule of law. I will deepen my interaction with everyone here to improve this situation and send out even stronger messages.”

Council Members from Cities Across Taiwan Support Falun Dafa Practitioners’ Efforts to End Decades of Persecution

Over 1,500 Falun Dafa practitioners in Taiwan gathered in front of the Taipei City Hall on the evening of July 16, 2023. They held a rally and candlelight vigil to commemorate the practitioners who refused to renounce their faith and lost their lives as a result of the persecution in China. Ten councilors from five cities across Taiwan joined the event and voiced their support for practitioners’ persistent effort to end the persecution, which started on July 20, 1999.

From left to right: Tainan City Councilor Chu Cheng-Hsuan, Taipei City Councilor Hung Chien-yi, Taipei City Councilor William Hsu, Kaohsiung City Councilor Lina Chen, Falun Dafa human rights lawyer Theresa Chu, president of the Taiwan Falun Dafa Association Hsiao Sung-Shan, New Taipei City Councilor Chung Hung-Jen, Taipei City Councilor Chang Wen-chieh, Kaohsiung City Councilor Chang Po-Yang, Tainan City Councilor Li Chong-lim, Hsinchu City Councilor Tseng Tzu-cheng, Taipei City Councilor Chieh Mei-Sha’s team director Chin Tse-Chu, and Taipei City Councilor Hsu Shu-Hua’s assistant Hung Chih-wei

Taipei City Councilor William Hsu said that this was the seventh year he has voiced his support for Falun Gong practitioners. He said that the Taipei City Council passed a motion to condemn the violent act of harvesting organs from prisoners of conscience while they are alive, and legislators are working on passing bills to stop organ harvesting.

Taipei City Councilor Chang Wen-chieh said, “We have to let more people know about the facts of organ harvesting, so that more people can work together to stop the CCP’ persecution of Falun Dafa.”

New Taipei City Councilor Chung Hung-Jen said that he came with a heavy heart to mourn the Falun Dafa practitioners who lost their lives in the past 24 years of persecution. He said that Falun Dafa is a Buddha school discipline that teaches Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance. “It’s a force of kindness and brings positive energy to society. I don’t know why the CCP persecutes it.” 

Hsinchu City Councilor Tseng Tzu-cheng said, “Why is a group with positive energy and belief persecuted? I find it hard to understand. China is ruled by the CCP, and only when the Party collapses will there be freedom of belief.”

Tainan City Councilor Li Chong-lim said, “I believe [the saying that] ‘Heaven will eliminate the CCP and end the persecution’ will come true one day.”

Rallies were held in central Taiwan on July 15 and 16, and many public representatives and government officials were present to express their support. From left to right: Changhua County Councilor Yang Tzu-hsien, Changhua Mayor Lin Shih-hsien, Taiwan Legislative Councilor Chang Liao Wan-chien, Taichung City Councilor Huang Shou-da, Taichung City Councilor Hsieh Chi-chung, Taiwan Legislative Councilor Liu Chien-kuo, Taiwan Legislative Councilor Chuang Ching-cheng, Taichung City Councilor Lee Tien-sheng, and Changhua County Councilor Lee Cheng-chi.

Practitioners in central Taiwan held rallies in Wen-Xin Forest Park in Taichung City; Yuzu Park in Douliu City, Yunlin County; and the square in front of the Changhua Railway Station on July 15 and 16, 2023. They told people about Falun Gong and commemorated practitioners who were persecuted to death by the CCP.

A number of Taiwanese representatives and government officials expressed their support during the events. They condemned the CCP’s atrocities, pledged to push for legislation to stop the harvesting of practitioners’ organs, and called on the public to help spread the truth.

Taiwan legislator Chang Liao Wan-chien praised Falun Gong practitioners for wanting to end the persecution in a peaceful and rational manner over the past 24 years. He believes this is what the CCP fears most. He said, “Falun Gong practitioners use peaceful and persevering methods, documenting literature and cultural performances to tell the CCP that if they continue to govern by persecuting human rights, and perpetrating the atrocity of organ harvesting from living practitioners, I believe they will definitely be eliminated by the international community.”

Taiwan legislator Liu Chien-kuo said that Falun Gong practitioners around the world have been exposing the persecution for decades by spreading the truth, gaining support of the legislative bodies of various countries, and using international forces combined with the forces of democracy to speak out. He said, “This powerful force comes from the perseverance and strong will of Falun Dafa practitioners around the world. Under [this] high-pressure persecution, I really admire the spirit of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance in the face of evil.” 

Taichung City Councilor Huang Shou-da said that Falun Gong practitioners have long used various methods and channels to convey these important messages to the world, including the Taiwan public, and that the perseverance of Falun Gong practitioners should be respected. He said, “The experience of Falun Gong practitioners peacefully and rationally working against the persecution is quite difficult. It can make more people willing to stand up and awaken more people’s reason and conscience, which is also very important to the world.” He called on everyone not to forget this history of persecution. “Everyone needs to understand and care, because it also concerns themselves,” Mr. Huang said.

The Mayor of Changhua, Lin Shih-hsien said, “Democracy and freedom are universal values and our way of life, and I admire Falun Gong practitioners around the world for defending the most basic rights of mankind with their lives and everything.” He condemned the CCP’s live organ harvesting, which he said is, “not only a violation of human rights, but also a violation of humanity—a miserable inhumanity.”

Taiwanese legislator Chuang Ching-cheng believes that everyone should recognize the true face of the CCP, and understand that it is a regime that persecutes its own people. Referring to the CCP’s atrocities, including organ harvesting from living Falun Gong practitioners, he said, “We should let all Taiwanese and the whole world know and condemn such acts as one mind.”