(Minghui.org) Over the past several days many Falun Gong practitioners in Europe have been visiting their representatives in the European Parliament, asking them to sign on a declaration to investigate state-sanctioned organ harvesting crimes in China. In conversations with Members of the European Parliament and their staffs, practitioners have exposed the Chinese regime's harvesting organs from prisoners of conscience, the majority of whom are Falun Gong practitioners.
The situation in China has struck a sympathetic chord with many MEPs. As of July 13, more than half have signed the written declaration.
Falun Gong practitioners stage a peaceful appeal in front of the European Parliament, requesting an investigation into state-sanctioned organ harvesting crimes in China.
Passersby sign a petition supporting Falun Gong practitioners' efforts to end the 17-year persecution.
Honorable MEP Gerard Batten from the UK.
Honorable MEP Gerard Batten, from the United Kingdom, signed the statement to the European Parliament in the morning. Later in the afternoon, he stopped by the practitioners' appeal again and signed a different petition, addressed to the United Nations.
Mr. Batten commented that it was hard to believe that such large scale organ harvesting and trafficking exists, but there is a great deal of supporting evidence provided in several independent investigation reports. “The crime is as horrible as that of the Nazis',” said Mr. Batten. “The rest of the world should pressure China to stop this crime. It is important to let the entire world know what they are doing. China is a communist autocracy. It (large scale organ harvesting) can only happen in an authoritarian country.”
Honorable Member of the German Parliament Mr. Martin Patzelt
Mr. Matin Patzelt, a Member of the German Parliament, was in Brussels on a business trip. He has been a long-time supporter of Falun Gong and wrote a letter of congratulations on World Falun Dafa Day.
Mr. Patzelt, watching the Falun Gong exercise demonstration in a light rain, said that the representatives could see that the practitioners' human rights have been violated and they should condemn the violations. However, he noted that not enough has been done to bring an end to the atrocities, so Falun Gong practitioners had to come to Belgium to raise awareness.
“They [Falun Gong practitioners] don't want political power. They just want a better and free life. But communism can't give them that,” said Mr. Patzelt.
Mr. Patzelt invited German practitioners to run a similar campaign, suggesting that they visit their representatives and ask the German Parliament to hold a hearing on forced organ harvesting crimes.
Former Member of the European Parliament Mr. Jose Ribeiro e Castro.
A lawyer and two-term Member of the European Parliament, Mr. Jose Ribeiro e Castro is already familiar with the Chinese regime's organ harvesting crimes.
“The human rights situation in China is worrisome, especially the persecution of religious people, like Falun Gong,” commented Mr. Castro. “Organ harvesting from living people is an intolerable crime.
“We discussed the organ trafficking issue, including the happenings in China, in 2004 and 2005. We must stop such crimes,” said Mr. Castro.
Ms. Evangelia Kekeleki of the European Economic and Social Committee said every government should stand against organ harvesting.
Falun Gong practitioner Massimo from Italy.
Massimo and four other Falun Gong practitioners drove 16 hours from Treviso to visit their representatives in the European Parliament.
Massimo, a mechanical designer, requested a week off. He told his boss that the statement from the European Parliament was very important. If it passed, it would let more people know about the happenings in China. His boss gave him the required week off.
“I want to help the practitioners in China. Stopping the organ harvesting crimes is not just for the practitioners. It relates to the whole world. It is important to let people know about it,” said Massimo.
Category: Organ Harvesting
