(Minghui.org) Following the airing of the documentary “Human Harvest” on SBS television in early April 2015, many Australians have become aware of the Chinese regime's forced organ harvesting from Falun Dafa practitioners.
Falun Dafa practitioners volunteered their time to inform the public about the persecution of Falun Dafa in China at both City Square and outside the State Library in Melbourne's central business district these past two weekends.
Banners erected near the footpath couldn't be missed, allowing passersby to realize the seriousness of the persecution. Many stopped to sign a petition that calls for an end to the persecution. People from all walks of life stopped by to show their support.
“To Raise Awareness Is Absolutely Needed.”
Sue Brown (center), lecturer at Federation University Australia
Ms. Sue Brown said that forced organ harvesting was worse than the crimes committed by the Nazis. “I think it's really horrifying. It's terrible,” she said. “To raise awareness is absolutely needed. The regime censors all information coming in and going out, so we [Australians] don't hear what's going on.”
To stop the illegal organ trafficking, Ms. Brown said, “Our government should stop trading with the regime, although that is unlikely to happen. The UN should be involved, all the rest of the world should take action. Our government should take some action, absolutely.”
Dr. Sean Murphy, chemistry researcher, visiting scholar at the University of Melbourne
“I heard about Falun Dafa 10 years ago,” said Mr. Sean Murphy. “Forced organ harvesting is very wrong. Very terrible. People having their organs harvested [against their will] are deprived of their human rights. They should be protected. No matter who it is or what the situation, people should be treated with dignity. That is a very important issue at this moment, I agree.” “I'll share this web link with my friends.” Dr. Murphy referred to the web link to the SBS documentary.
Musician: “A Government That Doesn't Respect Human Rights Is a Government that Doesn't Deserve to Govern”
Mr. John Martin, Australian pianist and composer
John Martin, an Australian classical pianist and composer who was on tour in Sydney and Melbourne, signed the petition. He said, “Until we have worldwide recognition of human rights for everybody we won't have world peace. ...Until we realize that everybody has a right to be where they are and has the right to a peaceful life and freedom of speech, we won't have happiness in this world. We have to recognize that everybody has the same rights under the sun.
“I don't know much about this cause,” he continued, referring to the forced organ harvesting, “but from what it sounds like, dreadful things are happening. The Chinese regime is guilty of terrible human rights abuses. When you get a body of people that have too much power, you can get abuse of human rights.
“A government that doesn't respect human rights is a government that doesn’t deserve to govern.”
“You Are Right to Raise Awareness”
Anand Kulkarni, IT specialist
Mr. Anand Kulkarni from Strategic Solutions—IT Infrastructure, TCS, who was working in Melbourne for six weeks, had never heard about Falun Dafa before, let alone the fact that it's being persecuted. He said, “I'm really shocked to know about this. It's terrible, it should be stopped.
“What you are doing is right--to raise awareness,” he said. He also said that he would share what he learned on social media.
Proprietor: “The Australian Government Should Protest the Chinese Regime”
David Jacobs, proprietor of Day Jacobs & Associates
Mr. David Jacobs stopped by City Square to sign the petition, giving his support.
“I think it's just terrible with what is happening--and shocking,” he said, referring to the brutal persecution of Falun Dafa in China, “I'm happy to sign the petition and try to prevent what is going on.
“The Australian government should make a statement, requesting or demanding the Chinese regime to stop this practice.”
He said that Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance are not only important values, but should be embraced worldwide. He mentioned he would spread the word among his network.
Falun Dafa Practitioners Are Doing “a Very Necessary Job”
John Mosig, an expert in commercial aquaculture and author
Mr. John Mosig stopped by and said, “You have been doing a wonderful job, a very brave job, and a very necessary job.
“I think it's brave because of the attitude of the Chinese regime. I think it's necessary, because it is a human rights issue. We should all be debating, not sweeping the issue under the carpet.
“I think our government should set up a public forum to debate from public interests instead of party interests.”
Filmmaker: “I Am Shocked...”
Filmmaker Mr. John Merkel
Mr. John Merkel admired Falun Dafa practitioner's efforts to raise awareness. He said, “It seems that people can just watch crimes being perpetrated against humanity like this unfold on the TV every night and just take no action.
“I am shocked, to be honest. I had heard about Falun Dafa, but I think I just learned the extend of this persecution is much greater than I knew. I didn't realize the persecution and forced organ harvesting are being carried out on such a massive scale. We should encourage our government to openly condemn the Chinese regime, we should be very forceful and bring more attention to the facts of these outrageous crimes.”
“I will tell my friends about what you're doing. I am going to see [David] Matas when he is in Melbourne.”
David Matas, an expert in human rights law and co-author of the Kilgour-Matas report, will be visiting Melbourne for an upcoming seminar in July 2015 to discuss the issue of forced organ harvesting of Falun Dafa practitioners in China.
Ms. Elisa Scoglio, English teacher
Ms. Elisa Scoglio signed the petition and said that the Australian government can't ignore this issue. She said she had watched the SBS documentary: “Very convincing! So shocking! My friends and I talked about it after seeing the SBS show, and they share my thoughts. It's frightening this is happening. If we didn't see the TV special, we would never know about it.
“Our government can't ignore it. They need to do something-- investigate it or take some action and not just let it happen.”
Category: Rallies & Protests
