(Minghui.org) January 27, International Holocaust Remembrance Day, was designated by the United Nations to commemorate the 6 million Jews and other minority groups that were systematically exterminated by the Nazis between 1933 and 1945. It also reminds people to be wary of hatred, discrimination, and genocide so that it won’t happen again.
This January 27, practitioners in Finland braved minus 10-degree weather to hold a candlelight vigil to tell people the facts about the 27-year-long persecution of Falun Gong by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). They informed passersby that this campaign has led to many practitioners being brutally tortured, injured, disabled, and even losing their lives. They let people know about the regime’s ongoing crime of organ harvesting, a crime that has involved many levels of society.
The somber candlelight vigil held in the cold of night moved many people, who were reminded to recall history but also to pay attention to current human rights crises. Practitioners called on the world at large to condemn all aspects of this persecution.
Practitioners in Finland did the exercises during activities held on International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
Passersby learned about the persecution of Falun Gong and signed a petition calling for it to end.
The tranquil scene caught the attention of many people. Those who already knew about the persecution did not ask for brochures but instead came right up to sign the petition to support ending the brutalities. Some of them commented, “I hope the situation improves” and “I often sign your petitions.” Others said, “You are doing a very important thing.”
We Must Stop This Persecution
Archie said, “This must stop at once.”
Archie from the Philippines stopped when she saw the photos of victims of the persecution. Shocked, she said, “I did not know something like this could be happening today.
“This [persecution] is severe and it is taking place in such a big country like China. Their [the CCP’s] actions are very wrong. It has nothing to do with nationality, it is about humanity. We must stop this persecution. It is completely wrong.” With tears in her eyes, she said, “They [practitioners] are not animals. They should not be treated like this. Why should some people’s lives be saved by taking away other people’s lives? This should not happen.
“I hope more people will hear my voice. Today, I pray for this, support this. My voice may be very small, but I can make it bigger and tell everyone that this persecution must end immediately. It impacts our lives. I’m shocked by what you went through. A country is like a home, it should be safe. It should not be like this.”
She said she wanted to offer assistance and mentioned she had a social network. She asked for some flyers and petitions to give to those in her social network to sign and show their support.
This Is an Extremely Urgent Matter
Krista, a translator, said, “This is an extremely urgent matter. The CCP is committing a crime.” When practitioners told her that many young people in China are now missing, she said with tears in her eyes, “I know the present restrictions on freedom in China are terrible. You have done very well. I hope things will change.”
Sirpa, a high school teacher, invited practitioners to introduce Falun Gong and tell her students about the persecution in China in her course on religion.
She said, “In Finland, we respect religious freedom and human rights. I hope Chinese people have the same rights in China, the same freedom.”
People Sign the Petition to Stop the Persecution
Welna (left), Jamsim (center) and Sofiina (right)
Welna, Jamsim, and Sofiina shared their thoughts after signing the petition.
Welna said, “This [persecution] sounds appalling. It’s despicable. I could never have imagined something as terrible as organ harvesting. It is dreadful just to hear about such things. In Finland, this would absolutely not happen.”
“This is a crime against humanity,” said Jemsim. “People are thrown in jail just because of their opinion; it’s heartbreaking. Falun Gong practitioners did not violate any laws, so this is obviously wrong. Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance are extremely important values that all of us should embrace. It’s wrong that the CCP has hidden so many dark things. Compassion means understanding others. We are not isolated individuals, so we must be kind. I think you have indeed endured too much, especially the organ harvesting. I can’t imaine how much pain one must endure.”
Sofiina said, “The way the CCP treats minority groups is so wrong, I can understand the perseverance of minority groups for their faith. These believers are very peaceful people, so why is the CCP treating them like this?” She said she is a Christian and is aware religious followers in China are thrown into jail.
I Hope the Persecution Ends Soon
Ms. Zhu, a practitioner in Finland, shared her thoughts on participating in the day’s activities, which she said coincided with the 14th anniversary of the day she came to Finland. She was deeply moved by the activities and thanked the Finland government for its support of Falun Gong practitioners’ human rights.
She said, “My mother-in-law died as a result of the persecution. This made me very sad. She was not as fortunate as I was to come here. This persecution has gone on for 27 years. I hope it ends soon. I hope more people know the truth about the persecution, especially about the Chinese regime taking practitioners’ organs for profit. I believe there are many kind people in this world, so I hope everyone can support us and help stop the persecution as soon as possible.
“My family is just one case of tens of thousands of families. To date, countless people have been and continue to be persecuted. I truly hope this persecution ends soon.”
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