(Minghui.org) Falun Gong (Falun Dafa) practitioners held a rally on the shores of Lake Geneva on July 16, 2026, to raise awareness of the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) ongoing persecution of the spiritual practice which was originally launched by former leader Jiang Zemin on July 20, 1999. Eighteen elected officials from federal parliament and local councils sent videos and letters to express their support in bringing an end to the human rights atrocities.
Elected officials who sent letters or video messages to support practitioners (Minghui.org)
First row: Members of the Swiss Federal Parliament (Council of States) Mr. Mauro Poggia and Mr. Carlo Sommaruga, Members of the Swiss Federal Parliament (National Council) Mr. Daniel Sormanni, Mr. Philippe Nantermod, Ms. Delphine Klopfenstein, Mr. Rudi Berli, and Mr. Christian Dandrès
Second row: Mr. Christian Flury, Member of the Grand Council of the Canton of Geneva; Ms. Masha Alimi, Member of the Grand Council of the Canton of Geneva; Mr. Blaise Fivaz, Member of the Grand Council of the Canton of Neuchâtel; Mr. Blaise Courvoisier, Member of the Grand Council of the Canton of Neuchâtel; Mr. Daniel Berger, Member of the Grand Council of the Canton of Neuchâtel; Mr. Richard Gigon, Member of the Grand Council of the Canton of Neuchâtel; and Mr. Nicolas Girard, Member of the Grand Council of the Canton of Jura
Third row: Mr. Hubert Dafflon, Member of the Grand Council of the Canton of Fribourg; Mr. Omar Balli, Member of the Grand Council of the Canton of Ticino; Ms. Fabienne Beaud, Member of the Geneva City Council; and Mr. Pascal Altenbach, Member of the Geneva City Council
Practitioners demonstrated the Falun Gong exercises on the shores of Lake Geneva on July 16. (Minghui.org)
The rally was held in front of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. A practitioner representative said, “We sincerely appreciate these elected officials for their support. Some of them have continued to accompany us for many years. We are truly grateful. On this solemn anniversary, we pay them our highest tribute. History will remember you. Thank you.
“Since 2022, the CCP regime has escalated the persecution of Falun Gong. It initiated a slander campaign using foreign media outlets in an attempt to change public opinion of Falun Gong. These threats, surveillance, attacks, and censorship against Falun Gong practitioners outside of China are transnational repression. The CCP’s atrocities have caught the attention of elected officials. To date, 124 elected officials from multiple cantons have signed a joint statement condemning the transnational repression. They urge the Federal Government to take action to protect Falun Gong practitioners in Switzerland.”
Elected Officials Condemn the CCP’s Persecution
Mauro Poggia, Member of the Swiss Council of States (Senator) for the Canton of Geneva, said in a video greeting, “On the occasion of this 27th anniversary of the start of the persecution in China, I wish to express my thoughts to all the victims—past, present, and, unfortunately, future—of this repression, and in particular to Falun Gong practitioners, who are clearly the targets of a bloody crackdown by the regime. It is time to become aware of what is happening and to rise up at every level, especially the political level.”
Carlo Sommaruga, Member of the Swiss Council of States (Senator) for the Canton of Geneva, said in a video greeting, “On July 20—the day commemorating the crackdown on the Falun Gong movement, which began in China 27 years ago—it is important to reiterate that it is intolerable for any power (in this case, China) to target individuals for expressing their spirituality or exercising their fundamental right to a spiritual life.
“I also believe it is unacceptable for foreign powers—whether Chinese or otherwise—to exert pressure or carry out repression on Swiss soil against individuals, whether Chinese nationals or not, who practice this faith. It must be said that the treatment of Uyghurs, Tibetans, and Chinese adherents of the Falun Gong movement is simply unacceptable. I expect the Swiss authorities to take action to ensure this comes to an end as soon as possible.”
Nicolas Girard, Member of the Grand Council of the Canton of Jura, wrote, “For 27 years, many Falun Gong practitioners have been victims of discrimination, arbitrary arrest, detention, and various forms of persecution at the hands of Chinese authorities and the Chinese Communist Party. Yet, Falun Gong is a peaceful practice founded on universal principles such as truthfulness, compassion, tolerance, respect for others, and self-improvement.
“These values—which foster harmony, human dignity, and social cohesion—should never be viewed as a threat. Every individual has the fundamental right to practice their faith, express their convictions, and live according to peaceful principles without fear of repression or persecution.
“On this 27th anniversary, we call upon the Chinese authorities to immediately end this unjust and inhumane repression. We demand respect for the fundamental rights of Falun Gong practitioners, as well as for all those persecuted for their spiritual or religious beliefs.
“Freedom of belief, human dignity, and respect for human rights are universal values that must be protected worldwide. It is time for the suffering inflicted upon Falun Gong practitioners to cease and for justice to be served.”
Christian Flury, Member of the Grand Council of the Canton of Geneva, wrote, “In an era that values respect for the individual and human rights, it is highly questionable, to say the least, that one of the world’s most powerful nations continues to mistreat political dissidents and minorities—such as Falun Gong practitioners, Uyghurs, Tibetans, Christians, and anyone else who does not share the government’s vision. Such practices remain unacceptable to democratic nations; these countries should consider reducing trade with China to exert pressure, ensuring that it finally treats all its inhabitants with dignity and fairness.”
Admiration for Practitioners’ Perseverance
Jean-Marie Lovey, Bishop of the Diocese of Sion, wrote, “I hold the just cause of the persecuted Falun Gong adherents in my prayers. In his recent encyclical Magnifica humanitas, Pope Leo formally reiterates the Council’s teaching: namely, that ‘Religious freedom is a fundamental right rooted in the dignity of the person, which must be guaranteed by the legal order so that no one is compelled to act against their conscience or prevented from seeking or professing the truth, both privately and publicly.’”
Pascal Altenbach, Member of the Geneva City Council, wrote to practitioners, “Your moral integrity does you credit. Your teachings align with the true path of life. Your culture dates back thousands of years—traditional Chinese thought is a magnificent monument.”
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