(Minghui.org) Falun Gong practitioners held events in Berlin, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Dusseldorf, and Munich to mark the 27th anniversary of their peaceful resistance of the persecution. Thirteen German elected officials at various levels sent them letters of support.
In their letters, these officials expressed their concern regarding the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) persecution of Falun Gong practitioners. Some stated that “human dignity is inviolable,” affirming that they “will stand at your side for as long as necessary,” and declaring that “we must not remain indifferent.” They condemned the CCP’s grave human rights violations, asserting that the CCP must immediately cease the suppression and persecution of Falun Gong practitioners—a group engaged in a peaceful meditation movement, and they offered their best wishes for the practitioners.
Thirteen German elected officials sent practitioners letters of support. (Minghui.org)
First Row (from left to right):Dr. Jonas Geissler, Member of the German Bundestag, Chair of the Subcommittee on Human Rights and Humanitarian Aid (CSU). Prof. Dr. Günter Krings, Member of the German Bundestag, Deputy Chairman of the CDU/CSU Parliamentary Group (CDU). Thomas Rachel, Member of the German Bundestag, Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Federal Commissioner for Religious Freedom and Belief (CDU).Norbert Altenkamp, Member of the German Bundestag, Spokesperson for Human Rights and Humanitarian Aid of the CDU/CSU Parliamentary Group, and Spokesperson on Religious Policy (CDU). Carsten Körber, Member of the German Bundestag (CDU).
Second Row (from left to right):Ronald Gläser, Member of the German Bundestag (AfD). Sebastian Maack, Member of the German Bundestag (AfD). Oliver Stirböck, Member of the Hesse State Parliament, Parliamentary Party Chair of the Free Democratic Party (FDP). Karl-Josef Laumann, Minister of Labour, Health and Social Affairs of North Rhine–Westphalia, Deputy Federal Chairman of the CDU Parliamentary Group.
Third Row (from left to right):René Domke, Chairman of the Free Democratic Party (FDP) in Mecklenburg–Western Pomerania. Rocco Wilken, Mayor of Vlotho, North Rhine–Westphalia (SPD). Sascha Herr, Member of the Hesse State Parliament (Independent). Nicole Wilms, Member of the Mönchengladbach City Council, Chair of the local SPD chapter.
Deputy Chairman of the CDU/CSU Parliamentary Group: We Must Not Remain Indifferent
Prof. Dr. Günter Krings, Member of the German Bundestag, Deputy Chairman of the CDU/CSU Parliamentary Group (CDU). (Parliamentarian’s Official Website)
Prof. Dr. Günter Krings, Member of the German Bundestag, Deputy Chairman of the CDU/CSU Parliamentary Group (CDU) stated in his letter that the anniversary marking the beginning of the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China reminds us that freedom of belief and personal conviction is still not taken for granted in many parts of the world, and affected individuals and human rights organizations have been reporting serious violations of the rights of people who wish to practice their faith or worldview peacefully.
He wrote, “The personal fates behind these reports are both moving and admonishing. They make clear that behind the often abstract-sounding concepts of human rights stand real people — with families, hopes, and the desire to live in freedom and dignity.
“As a Christian and parliamentarian, the worldwide respect for freedom of religion and belief is especially close to my heart. It is one of the fundamental human rights and an indispensable component of any free and constitutional society. Wherever people are persecuted, intimidated, or deprived of their freedom because of their convictions, we must not remain indifferent.”
Federal Commissioner for Religious Freedom and Belief: Transparency And Accountability Are Urgently Needed
Thomas Rachel, Member of the German Bundestag, Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Federal Commissioner for Religious Freedom and Belief (CDU). (Parliamentarian’s Official Website)
Thomas Rachel, Member of the German Bundestag, Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Federal Commissioner for Religious Freedom and Belief (CDU) stated in his letter:
“Today marks 27 years of systematic persecution of Falun Gong in China — a reminder of ongoing human rights violations. Despite international calls, the government continues its brutal repression. Transparency and accountability are urgently needed, especially regarding allegations of torture.”
Chair of the Subcommittee on Human Rights and Humanitarian Aid: Human Dignity Is Inviolable
Dr. Jonas Geissler, Member of the German Bundestag, Chair of the Subcommittee on Human Rights and Humanitarian Aid (CSU) (Parliamentarian’s Official Website)
Dr. Jonas Geissler, Member of the German Bundestag, Chair of the Subcommittee on Human Rights and Humanitarian Aid (CSU) stated: “For more than a quarter of a century, affected individuals, human rights organizations, and international observers have reported intimidation, imprisonment, torture, and the most severe violations of freedom of religion and conscience.
“No person may be persecuted because of their faith, their spiritual practice, or their inner conviction. Human dignity is inviolable. This principle applies not only in Germany or Europe, but everywhere in the world. It also applies to people in China. As a Christian Democrat, the freedom of religion and conscience is of particular concern to me. It is a universal human right. A state must not oppress people simply because they meditate peacefully, believe, or wish to live according to their moral convictions.
“Freedom of religion is one of the fundamental human rights. It is universal, indivisible, and must never be subject to negotiation. It protects each individual’s personal freedom of belief and conscience, safeguards the rights of religious minorities, and is a decisive measure of freedom, the rule of law, and humanity.
“As the representative of my parliamentary group on the Committee on Human Rights and Humanitarian Aid of the German Bundestag, I regularly deal with serious human rights violations around the world. The systematic persecution of Falun Gong practitioners, which has continued for many years, is among the most distressing examples of state repression and persecution based on religious and ideological convictions.
“My sincere sympathy and solidarity go out to those affected and to their families.”
Spokesperson for Human Rights and Humanitarian Aid of the CDU/CSU Parliamentary Group: We Stand at Your Side For as Long as Necessary
Norbert Altenkamp, Member of the German Bundestag, Spokesperson for Human Rights and Humanitarian Aid of the CDU/CSU Parliamentary Group, and Spokesperson on Religious Policy (CDU). (Parliamentarian’s Official Website)
Norbert Altenkamp, Member of the German Bundestag, Spokesperson for Human Rights and Humanitarian Aid of the CDU/CSU Parliamentary Group, and Spokesperson on Religious Policy (CDU) wrote in his letter: “Religious freedom is a fundamental human right. At the same time, it is a measure of how universal human rights are upheld in a country.
“For more than a quarter of a century, since 1999, the communist leadership has denied members of the peaceful spiritual community Falun Gong the free practice of their discipline. Since then, Falun Gong practitioners have been subjected to attempts at “re-education.” They are persecuted and imprisoned, tortured, and harassed.
“Together, today—as in every year before, and for as long as necessary—we stand at the commemoration day of the persecution of Falun Gong at their side, and at the side of all those who are relentlessly oppressed and deprived of their dignity in China. All religious minorities are affected by these merciless measures: Christians, Buddhist Tibetans, and Muslim Uyghurs.
“With the recently enacted law on “ethnic unity,” minorities can now even be punished simply for exercising their rights, and critics outside China’s borders can also be prosecuted. China is called upon to revoke this law.
“With methods that show contempt for humanity, the Chinese Communist Party acts against all who do not submit to communist ideology and who strive for individual freedom. It targets religious and ethnic minorities, and even people who seek and find freedom of spirit through meditation. Thousands of them have died since 1999 as a result of systematic persecution aimed at eradicating Falun Gong forever.
“Human rights are an essential component of the rules-based international order. We stand for these rights together today on this day of remembrance. China is continually urged to respect and comply with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of the United Nations and the human rights treaties it has signed. The Chinese Communist Party must finally end the suppression and persecution of the peaceful meditation movement Falun Gong.”
Member of the German Bundestag: Our Shared Goal Remains That Persecution and Oppression End
Carsten Körber, Member of the German Bundestag (CDU) (Parliamentarian’s Official Website)
Carsten Körber, Member of the German Bundestag (CDU) stated in his letter: “The reports you describe of repression, arbitrary detentions, torture, and allegations of organ harvesting are profoundly shocking. They stand in blatant contradiction to the universal human rights to which the People’s Republic of China has committed itself under international law. Freedom of religion and belief is a fundamental human right and a central measure of respect for human dignity as a whole.
“For the CDU and CSU, the position is clear: We strongly condemn the systematic persecution of Falun Gong practitioners, as well as the suppression of other religious and ethnic minorities in China. This reflects both our party platform—which places the inviolability of human dignity and the universal validity of human rights at its core—and our political actions in the German Bundestag and at the European level.
“In the coalition agreement, we jointly affirmed that we will clearly identify human rights violations worldwide and confront them. This explicitly includes advocating for religious freedom and supporting instruments such as the European human rights sanctions mechanism.
“We expressly welcome the resolution adopted by the European Parliament in 2024 regarding allegations of forced organ harvesting. It is an important signal that Europe is prepared to draw clear consequences, including sanctions against responsible individuals and institutions.”
… “Our shared goal remains that persecution and oppression end, and that fundamental freedoms are respected in China.”
Member of the German Bundestag: Wish You Success in Your Work and Your Soul Remains Unblemished and Pure
Sebastian Maack, Member of the German Bundestag (AfD) (Parliamentarian’s Official Website)
Sebastian Maack, Member of the German Bundestag (AfD), stated, “I became aware of the fate of the Falun Gong community in connection with illegal organ trafficking. As a meditating Christian, my sympathy is with all those who are persecuted, imprisoned, and victims of torture, as well as with their families. Spirituality and faith are the foundation of every fulfilled life. Whoever wants to take these away from people seeks to destroy them—perhaps in the hope of better enduring their own inner emptiness.
“I wish you strength, courage, and hope to endure this difficult trial. Above all, I wish that you do not respond to the hatred directed at you with hatred. Instead, I hope that your soul remains unblemished and pure.
“No lies and no oppression last forever, even if this is sometimes not yet visible. Hope is on the side of those who are at peace with themselves, who are in spiritual balance. In this sense, I wish you much success in your work and in your fight for justice.”
Member of the German Bundestag: I Support You in Your Peaceful and Steadfast Commitment to Tolerance and Humanity
Ronald Gläser, Member of the German Bundestag (AfD) (Parliamentarian’s Official Website)
Ronald Gläser, Member of the German Bundestag (AfD) stated in his letter, “Dear Falun Dafa practitioners, I would like to express my sincere solidarity with you on this day.
“Freedom of religion and conscience are universal human rights. It deeply saddens me that peaceful believers in China have been persecuted, discriminated against, and imprisoned for nearly three decades because of their faith. And we know that the Chinese leadership is capable of far worse, when we think of the student protests of 1989. Every person must have the right to practice their faith freely and without fear.
“In 2023, I personally addressed an open letter to Chinese officials demanding the immediate release of Yuande Ding and his wife Ruimei Ma — the parents of a young man living in Germany — who were arrested solely because of their Falun Dafa practice.
“Germany and China are trading partners. However, this does not oblige us to remain silent when fundamental rights are violated. I support you in your peaceful and steadfast commitment to tolerance and humanity.
“I wish all of you strength, confidence, and that the persecution will soon come to an end.”
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