Bratislava, Slovakia: Public Officials Speak at Event to Remember 23 Years of Persecution of Falun Gong in China

(Minghui.org) On Wednesday July 20, an event was held on Hviezdoslav Square in Bratislava, Slovakia, to draw attention to the fact that the persecution of Falun Gong in China has been going on for 23 years. Despite the heat, quite a few passers-by stopped by the information booth to sign a petition against the persecution of Falun Gong in China.

Vigil with photos of victims of the persecution of Falun Gong in China

The event was attended by about 25 Falun Gong practitioners from all over Slovakia, and later in the afternoon, a vigil with photos of the victims of the persecution was held. Speeches were made by guests Frantisek Mikloško, dissident and former chairman of the National Council of the Slovak Republic, Andrej Stancík, MP of the National Council of the Slovak Republic, and Martin Mlynek, head of the Bratislava – Old Town municipal authority. Martin Mlynek also read out a statement of solidarity sent to the event by Ondrej Dostal, State Secretary of the Ministry of Justice and Chairman of the OKS.

Marek Tatarko, a representative of the Slovak Falun Gong Association, said in his introductory remarks that it has been 23 years since the persecution of Falun Gong, a meditation discipline based on the universal principles of Truthfulness, Compassion and Tolerance, began in China on July 20, 1999. 

He recalled that on May 5, 2022, the European Parliament adopted a resolution “on the reports of continued organ harvesting in China,” expressing serious concerns about the reports of persistent, systematic, inhumane and state-sanctioned organ harvesting from prisoners of conscience in the People’s Republic of China, and, more specifically, from Falun Gong practitioners and other minorities such as Uyghurs, Tibetans and Christians.

Mr. Tatarko concluded by saying that although we cannot bring back to life those who died in the persecution of Falun Gong, their stories can be used to give people a deeper understanding of the nature of the communist regime and the dangers it carries, so that they can make a decision for themselves regarding the stance they take with it. 

Frantisek Miklosko: "As long as China persecutes people, as long as it humiliates and murders them, it is not a civilised country that belongs in this world."

Frantisek Miklosko, dissident and former chairman of the National Council, speaking at the event marking 23 years of the CCP’s persecution of Falun Gong.

Frantisek Miklosko told the vigil participants that he respects all those who in this way express solidarity with those whose voices are not heard and who are dying because they want to live their lives authentically and according to their convictions.

He also said, ‘You know, I am a Christian and we Christians believe that once I die and am brought before the face of the Almighty, he will not ask me, as it is written in the Gospel – whether I am Catholic, whether I am Evangelical, whether I am Falun Gong – he will not ask me whether I am Hungarian, Slovak, Armenian or anyone else.” 

At the end of his speech, Frantisek Miklosko emphasised, “China is a giant today, America has to count with it, everyone has to count with it, it has huge economic successes, but I don’t care about that. As long as China persecutes people, as long as it humiliates and murders them, it is not a civilised country that belongs in this world.”

Andrej Stancik, MP: "Any democratic person in Slovakia or around the world should stand up for Falun Gong right now"

Andrej Stancik, Member of the National Council of the Slovak Republic, speaks at the event.

Andrej Stancik, MP addressed the rally with, “Any democratic person in Slovakia or around the world should stand up for Falun Gong right now, because what this movement is facing in China is nothing else but persecution and tyranny from a regime that does not recognise human rights.”

Mr. Stancik appreciated that in this heavy summer heat, many people have taken the time to remember what is happening in China. He stressed that although the event is organised on the topic of the persecution of Falun Gong, it is about a much deeper issue – respect for the rights of others, which is a core part of freedom.

He said, “This is what China today lacks. Tolerance, respect for differences – I think that any democratic person in Slovakia or in the whole world should stand up for Falun Gong right now, because what this movement is facing in China is nothing else but persecution and tyranny from a regime that does not recognize human rights.”

Andrej Stančík concluded by saying, “Freedom is not just some empty value, but it is something that we must stand up for and live by. And that is why I keep my fingers crossed, I keep my fingers crossed for you who are here today, and I keep my fingers crossed for all those who have come today to support your symbolic and silent meditation protest, because in the 21st Century we must not forget the values of freedom, democracy and human rights.”

Martin Mlynek, head of the Bratislava – Old Town municipal authority, during his speech.

Martin Mlynek: “It is important that the voice of oppressed people is heard”

Martin Mlynek, Head of the Bratislava – Old Town Municipal Authority, stressed that the Bratislava – Old Town will always provide a space for people who want to express their beliefs and opinions. He said that there are two Chinas, one on the mainland and it is the autocratic one and the other one – in Taiwan – is the democratic one and it gives a mirror to mainland China. 

Ondrej Dostal, State Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, Chairman of the OKS, was unable to attend the event, but sent a statement of solidarity, which was delivered at the event. Mr. Dostal wrote: “This sad anniversary should be a reminder of the persecution not only of Falun Gong adherents, but of all those who do not act and think as the official communist ideology commands. Tibetans, Uighurs, Christians, pro-democracy liberals and conservatives alike. Because in China, anyone who dares to have an opinion other than the ‘only correct’ one, i.e. the Chinese Communist one, is persecuted. And we, the free citizens of the Slovak Republic, who have experienced the totalitarianism of the Communist dictatorship, should be the first to take the side of the oppressed and persecuted. You cannot say to yourself, ‘I am not involved in the Falun Gong spiritual exercises, so I don’t care what they do with them in China.’ Yes, there is not much we can do in practice. But even symbolic support and rejection of the Chinese Communist propaganda that the Chinese Communist regime is trying to spread under the guise of spreading Chinese culture is more than selfish ignorance.”

He concluded, “I stand on the side of all the oppressed people of China. I stand on the side of Falun Gong.”

The speakers pose together with a flag that says “We respect Falun Dafa. We cherish Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.” (From left to right) Marek Tatarko (from the Slovak Falun Gong Association), Martin Mlynek (head of the Bratislava – Old Town municipal authority), Andrej Stancik (Member of the National Council of the Slovak Republic), and Frantisek Miklosko (dissident and former chairman of the National Council).

At the end of the speeches, participants showed their support by posing for a picture holding a flag with the message “We respect Falun Dafa. We Cherish Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.”