Ireland: Senators and TDs Congratulate World Falun Dafa Day and Condemn Ongoing Persecution

(Minghui.org) May 13, 2021, marked the 29th anniversary of Falun Dafa’s introduction to the public. It is also the 70th birthday of Mr. Li Hongzhi, the founder of the practice. 

Twenty-three senators and TDs (Teachta Dálas – lower house of the Irish Parliament) from the Republic of Ireland stated their recognition of “Truthfulness Compassion Tolerance”, the principles of Falun Dafa, praised it for bringing health and harmony to the world. They also supported Falun Dafa practitioners’ non-violent resistance to the persecution.

Twenty-three Senators and Teachta Dálas congratulated the World Falun Dafa Day. From top left: Senator David Norris, Michael Lowry T.D., Catherine Murphy T.D., Senator Roisín Garvey, Michael Healy-Rae T.D., Senator Erin McGreehan, Thomas Pringle T.D., Minister of State for Community Development and Charities, Joe O’Brien, Senator Malcolm Byrne, Cian O'Callaghan T.D., Senator Mary Fitzpatrick, Marian Harkin T.D, Jackie Cahill T.D., Richard O'Donoghue T.D., Danny Healy-Rae T.D, Gino Kenny T.D., Martin Browne T.D., Joan Collins T.D., Michael Fitzmaurice T.D., Senator Lisa Chambers, Senator Emer Currie, Mattie McGrath T.D., Seán Canney T.D.

Senator David Norris wrote, “It’s core principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance are principles which all humanity should espouse. If we follow the principles of Falun Dafa cultural boundaries will be transcended and the world will be a healthier and harmonious place. However, it grieves me to know that the practitioners of Falun Dafa have suffered for their faith at the hands of the Chinese authorities. This must not be allowed to continue. I urge the world’s leaders to come on board and protect those suffering as a result of their faith, intolerance must be eradicated.”

Senator Roisin Garvey said, “It was a good 20 years ago when I first heard of it and the torture and persecutions. It's a disgrace that in this day and age such horrors continue around something so good for bringing both inner and outer harmony, which we need more than ever globally.”

In her letter, Catherine Murphy T.D. wrote, “Catherine Murphy TD and all in the Social Democrats party wish you the very best in celebrating the anniversary of this virtuous Falun Dafa practice and honor its values of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance on May 13, 2021. 

“The Social Democrats wish you all the best with the future success of your resistance movement – composed of bold individual acts in spite of great personal risks – which continues to constitute what is probably today’s largest nonviolent underground movement in the world.”

Senator Erin McGreehan congratulated Falun Dafa practitioners and emphasized, “Any faith that heralds peace, compassion, humanity should be given the right to express those virtues. I condemn any action to persecute because of their faith. This should not be allowed to continue and action should be taken in order to stop this.”

Letter from Michael Healy-Rae T.D. wrote, “May 13, 2021, will mark the annual World Falun Dafa Day. This will be celebrated around the world by millions of people. I welcome the work that the Falun Dafa practitioners do in offering exercise and health information through online workshops. People who practice Falun Dafa find it to be life-changing in that it has many health benefits.

“Unfortunately Falun Dafa is not accepted by the Chinese authorities since 1999 as the leader at the time felt Falun Dafa’s emphasis on moral living and traditional Chinese culture were a threat to the atheist communist regime. This persecution of the practitioners continues. Falun Dafa practitioners continue to practice from their homes. With the support of other democratic nations like Ireland, these persecuted people will have their voices heard and truths spoken.”

Thomas Pringle T.D. was “delighted to offer my solidarity and support to all practitioners who have benefited from the daily ritual of Falun Dafa” and “condemn in the strongest terms the persecution of practitioners and the attempts by the Chinese government to stamp out this practice.”

Minister of State for Community Development and Charities, Joe O’Brien wished all practitioners the very best as they celebrate a day to highlight the values and contribution of this practice to our society.

Senator Malcolm Byrne wrote, “I am happy to wish all practitioners a happy World Falun Dafa Day on 13th May. Our world is a better place when we have respect for and seek to understand the beliefs of others. It is important that governments respect minorities and uphold human rights. I share the concerns of so many that many of those rights are not being respected by the Chinese Authorities.”

In his letter, Cian O'Callaghan T.D. said, “What is happening to people who practice Falun Dafa is absolutely appalling and it should be called out on the world stage.” And he had also raised the issue with the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Background: What is Falun Dafa?

Falun Dafa (also known as Falun Gong) was first introduced to the public by Mr. Li Hongzhi in Changchun, China in 1992. The spiritual discipline is now practiced in over 100 countries and regions worldwide. Millions of people have embraced the teachings—which are based on the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance as well as five gentle exercises—and experienced uplifted health and well-being.

Jiang Zemin, former head of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), perceived the spiritual discipline's growing popularity as a threat to the CCP's atheistic ideology and on July 20, 1999, issued an order to ban the practice.

Minghui.org has confirmed the deaths of thousands of practitioners as a result of the persecution over the past 22 years. The actual number is believed to be much higher. More have been imprisoned and tortured for their faith.

There is concrete evidence that the CCP sanctions the harvesting of organs from detained practitioners, who are murdered to supply the organ transplant industry.

Under Jiang's personal direction, the CCP established the 610 Office, an extralegal security organization with the power to override the police and judicial systems and whose sole function is to carry out the persecution of Falun Dafa.