(Minghui.org) Falun Dafa practitioners held a rally on Gustaf Adolf’s Square in the center of Gothenburg, Sweden on September 20, 2025, marking the 30th anniversary of the introduction of Falun Dafa to Sweden and Europe. The event also raised awareness of the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) 26-year persecution.

Hans Rothenberg, former Member of the Swedish Parliament (MP), speaks at the rally.

Rally on Gustaf Adolf’s Square in the center of Gothenburg on September 20, 2025

Hans Rothenberg, former Member of the Swedish Parliament (MP), spoke at the rally, drawing attention to the CCP’s persecution and its state-sanctioned forced organ harvesting. He has long been committed to stopping the CCP’s persecution of Falun Dafa (also called Falun Gong).

Mr. Rothenberg was elected MP in 2006, shortly after the CCP’s state-sanctioned forced organ harvesting was first exposed. He has supported Falun Gong practitioners ever since, especially in their fight to end the forced organ harvesting atrocities.

“I helped organize seminars in the Swedish Parliament about this issue,” Mr. Rothenberg said. “I have been keen to incorporate [the topic of forced organ harvesting] into Sweden’s foreign policy. Talking about issues concerning China can be very sensitive, but this must be brought to the public’s attention. That is why I am committed to it.”

MP Rothenberg said he hoped that ultimately his efforts will increase awareness of the persecution taking place in China against Falun Gong. “I also want Sweden and, above all, the European Union, to take action against China,” he said.

Mr. Rothenberg has supported Falun Gong practitioners in various peaceful events over the years: “They [Falun Gong practitioners] are very dedicated, very persistent, patient, and they have an ambition to be a peaceful movement. It is very easy for persecuted organizations, persecuted movements, to resort to violent actions. But Falun Gong stays on the peaceful, good path, and I think that is an example for other movements around the world.”

Referencing Falun Gong’s principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, Mr. Rothenberg remarked, “If these concepts could be incorporated into every country’s government declarations, the world would be a better place.”

He said that the CCP’s persecution is completely unnecessary, insane, and cruel. “One could say a lot about this. You don’t behave that way towards peaceful people.”

Mr. Rothenberg said that many people thought forced organ harvesting ended after the Nazis and World War II, “But it’s still going on, just in a different place on earth. This is a crime against humanity. This is a crime against everything that has to do with civilized life.”

He is also aware of the CCP’s transnational repression. “It shows that the CCP and the Chinese government have an agenda that extends far beyond China’s borders. They want to become the political leader of the world. They want to be the cultural power in the world, have the economic and military power. And they threaten in the same way that all totalitarian regimes have done before, but there is always an end to totalitarian regimes.”

Mr. Rothenberg said, “Before the Swedish people and the people of Europe can do anything, they must be aware that this unfortunately exists, yet far too few people know about it. Many people don’t believe it’s true because it sounds so absurd. We must start talking about this issue to get people involved, because something terrible is going on that few people know about.

“It affects so many people who lose their organs simply because they want to do group exercises in public places in China. This is a cruelty that we have hardly seen the likes of in the world historically.”

Mr. Rothenberg said that this is why, for more than a decade, he has helped organize forums in Parliament and has called for attention to the CCP’s persecution. “That is why we must start talking about them. I hope that this will continue to be discussed in the Swedish Parliament.” He said he will support Falun Gong practitioners as long as the persecution continues.

An Important Event

Practitioners staged a march in the center of Gothenburg.

After the rally, the practitioners held a march through the center of Gothenburg. Lisa, an engineer, and Daniel, a lawyer from Brazil, had just started their new life in Sweden three weeks ago, and watched the march.

Lisa and Daniel are pleased to learn about Falun Dafa.

Lisa was particularly moved: “When I saw them marching with photos of the deceased, I couldn’t help but be moved.” Gently wiping away tears, she continued, “I can relate to their pain to some extent. But even with all that pain, they simply marched forward, expressing their grief in a very dignified and peaceful way. It was deeply moving.” She strongly endorsed the Falun Gong practitioners’ activities. “I really like this approach. They simply marched forward, so peacefully, expressing such profound emotions in a peaceful way, which is truly heartbreaking.”

Daniel said, “It’s so important to tell people that they [Falun Gong practitioners] are here. They’re not just turning a blind eye to the persecution; they’re working hard to stop it.”

Lisa continued, “Many people don’t know about the persecution, and without knowledge, there won’t be change. So it’s so important to let the public know what’s happening.”

Daniel added, “If we hadn’t seen this march, we probably would never have known about your experiences, so this is so important. I’m actually not surprised we haven’t heard about it. We know very well that China controls all possible information that can be transmitted. We are very aware of this. It’s ridiculous, but I’m not surprised.”

After they signed the petition to support Falun Gong practitioners, Lisa said, “So many people are being persecuted for living according to their own wishes, and it’s a good lifestyle. I can’t just stand by and watch [these people be persecuted]. I really want to do my best to help.” She said she hopes that by signing the petition she will tell the world and the Chinese regime that many people support Falun Gong and that the persecution should stop. She said that Falun Gong’s principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance can benefit society.

Daniel said he too hopes that by his signing the petition the world will know that Falun Gong practitioners exist, so that they can freely practice their beliefs without being hated or persecuted. “I believe they deserve such rights,” he concluded.

Practitioners’ Efforts Touch Spectators

Practitioners distributed flyers at the rally and along the march route and talked to people about Falun Dafa.

Practitioners talk about the persecution and collect signatures.

Midwife Lis Munk, from Denmark, was in Gothenburg to visit her daughters. “The parade was graceful, truly impressive, yet empowering,” she said. “It’s always moving to see people come together for a common goal. It’s incredibly moving.”

Ms. Munk explained that seeing so many Chinese people in the parade sparked their curiosity. This was the first time they’d heard about Falun Dafa. After speaking with a practitioner, they learned that the CCP persecutes these kind individuals who believe in Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, and even subjects practitioners to forced organ harvesting.

“What’s truly terrifying is that the government is exploiting the judicial system to profit from this [organ harvesting]—it’s truly horrifying!” Ms. Munk exclaimed. “This march not only demonstrates to the Nordic countries that not all Chinese are part of the CCP, but also exposes the CCP’s involvement in organ trafficking.”

Designer Marcela watched the parade at the train station with her mother. She said that Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance are “excellent values, and spreading them is truly wonderful.”

She added, “The march was colorful, and it was heartening to see people from so many countries coming together around this theme.”

Marcela said she couldn’t understand why the CCP persecutes Falun Gong, and talked at length with a practitioner to learn more.