(Minghui.org) July 20, 2024, was the 25th anniversary of Falun Gong practitioners’ efforts to end the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) persecution. Twenty-two German officials and dignitaries, including members of the European Parliament, federal parliament state parliament, and city councilors sent letters, accepted interviews, or addressed the practitioners’ rally to express their support for their efforts to expose the persecution.
Twenty-two German officials and dignitaries expressed their support for practitioners’ efforts to expose the CCP’s persecution.
Left to right top row: Frank Schwabe, Member of Parliament (MP) of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD); Dr. Stefan Berger (CDU), Member of the European Parliament (MEP); Astrid Damerow, MP; Anne König, MP; Elisabeth Winkelmeier-Becker, MP; and Jürgen Braun MP
Left to right second row: Dr. Günter Krings, M;, Nadine Ruf, MP; Sabine Weiss, MP; Dr. Michael Meister, MP; Dr. Jonas Geissler, MP; René Domke, Speaker of the Mecklenburg-Vorpommern State Parliament of the German Free Democratic Party (FDP)
Left to right third row: Stefan Engstfeld (Green Party), member of the North Rhine-Westphalia State Parliament; Oliver Stirböck, member of the Hesse State Parliament; Dr. Marcus Optendrenk, member of the North Rhine-Westphalia State Parliament; Vanessa Odermatt (CDU), member of the North Rhine-Westphalia State Parliament; Frank Börner, member of the North Rhine-Westphalia State Parliament
Left to right fourth row: Dirk Bamberger, member of the Hesse State Parliament; Ronald Gläser, member of the Berlin State Parliament; Dr. Bastian Bergerhoff, member of the Frankfurt City Council; Luise Amtsberg, MP; Karl-Josef Laumann, member of the North Rhine-Westphalia State Parliament
Everyone Has the Rights to Practice Their Belief
Elisabeth Winkelmeier-Becker MP of CDU, Chair of the Legal Affairs Committee
In her letter to Falun Gong practitioners, Elisabeth Winkelmeier-Becker MP of CDU wrote: “July 20 is a sad and significant day. For 25 years, the Chinese Communist Party has been persecuting Falun Gong practitioners. This moment calls on all of us to reflect on the far-reaching consequences of intolerance and oppression, and to advocate for respect for human rights.
“According to many reports, since 1999, the Chinese Communist Party has attempted to systematically destroy Falun Gong. Millions of innocent people have been publicly persecuted, imprisoned, and tortured simply because they follow the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance. The practice of forced organ harvesting is particularly shocking. This fully demonstrates that the Chinese regime seems to be persecuting people simply because they peacefully practice this holistic practice. These horrific acts violate human rights and everyone’s right to freedom, physical integrity, and health; moreover, these actions attack the inviolable human dignity.
“In recent years, the international community has become increasingly concerned about such crimes. The European Parliament urged China to immediately stop persecuting Falun Gong practitioners. The U.S. Congress also issued the strongest condemnation of [the CCP’s] forced organ harvesting and persecution of Falun Gong practitioners. This decisive stance sends a clear signal to the world: Such crimes will never be tolerated.
“On this day of remembrance on July 20, we stand in solidarity with Falun Gong practitioners. Together, we will put pressure on the Chinese [CCP] government to end these atrocities and ensure that justice is served for the victims. We firmly believe that everyone has the right to live in peace and practice their beliefs without fear of retaliation or violence!”
The CCP’s Crime Against Humanity Must Be Made Public
Sabine Weiss, MP of CDU, Member of the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs and member of the Board of Trustees of the Heinrich Hertz Foundation (CDU)
Sabine Weiss, MP of CDU, wrote to practitioners, “I sincerely thank you [Falun Gong] for your unremitting efforts for the cause of human rights and for speaking out for all those who cannot be heard.
“China’s [CCP] brutal persecution of Falun Gong has lasted for a quarter of a century. The facts and figures are not only shocking, but also terrifying. To date, at least 5,000 people have paid the price of their lives due to the Communist Party’s persecution.
“China’s human rights situation is very bad and is getting worse. It is important that human rights’ violations should be dealt with and sanctioned more forcefully than in the past. Last year, the European Parliament took an important first step by publicly condemning the forced organ harvesting that has been carried out in China for many years.
“In addition, the U.S. House of Representatives recently unanimously passed the Falun Gong Protection Act. This is an important first step in combating China’s persecution of Falun Gong, especially forced organ harvesting. The bill requires sanctions such as visa bans and property confiscation against those responsible or involved in the forced organ harvesting of Falun Gong practitioners.
“It is right and important to expose these crimes against humanity that are committed in plain sight.
“We all must continue to stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves, and for those who are excluded, oppressed and persecuted because of their beliefs, beliefs or identities.”
Falun Gong’s Unremitting Courage
Stefan Engstfeld, Member of the State Parliament (MSP) of North Rhine-Westphalia
Stefan Engstfeld, MSP of the North Rhine-Westphalia State, Chairman of the European and International Affairs Committee, and spokesman for the Düsseldorf Regional Association, sent a letter to express support for Falun Gong.
He wrote, “I would like to express my sincere solidarity and support to all those who have suffered such injustice and inhumane treatment. We must remember not only the terrible events that took place in China in July 1999, but also the unremitting courage and firmness of those who continued to uphold their beliefs despite great risks and challenges.
“Falun Gong is based on the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance, represents universal values, and should be the foundation of a peaceful and just society. However, over the past 25 years, we have witnessed a brutal smear campaign against Falun Gong. This campaign includes systematic surveillance, arbitrary detention, cruel persecution and inhuman conditions in labor camps. These measures are not only violations of human rights, but also tramples on the principles of human dignity and freedom.
“It is shocking that the persecution has also extended beyond China’s borders, which should cause us to reflect deeply on how far these operations now extend.
“The Chinese government’s persecution of this peaceful spiritual movement is a violation of basic human rights that we as the international community cannot accept. Freedom of speech and freedom of religion are solid pillars of democracy. These freedoms allow us to express and practice our thoughts and beliefs without fear of reprisal.
“The persecution of Falun Gong is a clear symbol of the threats to democracy and what can happen if these freedoms are not protected. History has shown us where this path leads, and we must do everything we can to avoid repeating it, to ensure and protect the rights of everyone, and to uphold democracy and its values at all costs.
“Falun Gong continues to exist, demonstrating the incredible resilience and impact of peaceful resistance. The steadfastness of Falun Gong practitioners inspires us all and shows that even the most powerful regimes cannot destroy the power of the human spirit and the drive for freedom and justice.
“Let us work together for a future where the fundamental rights of all people are respected and protected. We must remain vigilant and continue to speak out against injustice and oppression wherever it occurs. Only then can we create a world where everyone enjoys freedom, justice, and human dignity.”
Calling on the Federal Government
Karl-Josef Laumann, MSP of CDU of the North Rhine-Westphalia State
Karl-Josef Laumann, MSP of the North Rhine-Westphalia State and Minister of Labor, Health and Social Affairs of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia, wrote in support of Falun Gong:
“There are many reports that Falun Gong practitioners have been tortured and died in prisons and even face systematic discrimination in their private lives. If the Falun Gong movement appears in the state-controlled media, it will always be slandered as a ‘Criminal organization.’ There is a special security agency set up to carry out the persecution [of Falun Gong]—the 610 Office, which is responsible for arrests, detentions, deaths from torture, and even organ harvesting. This persecution has received almost no attention from Western news.
“The European Parliament has publicly discussed the situation in China many times and called on the Chinese government to immediately stop the persecution of Falun Gong in a resolution adopted on January 18, 2024. The resolution also mentioned discussions about the medical conditions for organ transplants in China, which I am deeply concerned about. According to the resolution, the German government should raise [this matter] in its relations with China.
“I call on the federal government to start dealing with this matter! For 75 years, the [German] Basic Law has been a reliable guide to deal with these issues, and religious freedom is one of the foundations on which our free society is built. These values are also worth promoting in China, especially when the Chinese and German economies are closely linked and the two governments have maintained an in-depth dialogue for many years.
“July 20th reminds us that freedom of belief is not just a matter of course. We have become accustomed to it because of our democratic tradition. This is the manifestation of a free society that regards tolerance as an important value.”
Freedom of Belief Is the Cornerstone of Every Free Society
Oliver Stirböck, MSP of the Hesse State Parliament
Oliver Stirböck, MSP and the FDP group leader in the Hesse State Parliament, sent a message to the rally in Frankfurt.
The state legislator wrote, “For us, human dignity, especially freedom of belief, worldview, and conscience, is the cornerstone of every free society, and the free world must demand this in China and the world. Selling out human rights and Taiwan’s territorial integrity must never be the price of economic cooperation.
On behalf of the FDP, he expressed support for Falun Gong’s persistent efforts while protesting the persecution, and wished Falun Gong practitioners success, strength, and attention in their struggle for freedom of speech and freedom of belief. He stated, “As a strong partner, the FDP will stand on the side of all fighters for freedom, the rule of law, and democracy.”
The CCP’s Forced Organ Harvesting Is Shocking
Dr. Marcus Optendrenk, MSP and Minister of Finance of the North Rhine-Westphalia State
Dr. Marcus Optendrenk, MSP, wrote in his letter of support: “Seventy-five years ago, the German Basic Law came into effect, marking the birth of the Federal Republic of Germany. It responded to the darkest and most disastrous chapter in our history with a clear declaration of ‘never again.’
“Since then, we have lived in peace, freedom, and prosperity. Peace and freedom are mutually causal. Without peace, there is no freedom, and without freedom, there is no peace. Only if we defend democracy and freedom will democracy and freedom be strong.
“According to Articles 4 and 5 of the Basic Law, freedom includes freedom of religion and freedom of speech. These are basic human rights, and people all over the world, including the Chinese people, should enjoy these rights.
“Twenty-five years ago, the Chinese [CCP] leadership under Jiang Zemin began to systematically persecute Falun Gong practitioners. Nearly 100 million people continue to live in danger of being imprisoned, tortured, and subjected to forced labor by the CCP system.
“Dictators and authoritarians see democracy and freedom as the biggest threat to their rule. That is why they take a tough stance and follow up with brutal acts against democracy and freedom.
“I am particularly shocked by the systematic forced organ harvesting. In order to ensure that hospitals have organs, the Chinese leadership apparently uses prisoners’ organs, such as Falun Gong practitioners, for transplants. The number of people deprived of their rights in this barbaric way is reported to be in the tens of thousands. The CCP’s slavery system has caused millions of Falun Gong practitioners to suffer. Therefore, it is particularly important to openly address and work to stop this atrocity.
“In January 2024, the European Parliament passed a resolution calling on the Chinese government to immediately end the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners and to immediately and unconditionally release all practitioners. I fully support this resolution.
“I wish all those who stand with Falun Gong have strength and confidence that the future will eventually usher in a free life.”
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