(Minghui.org) The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is continuing its persecution of innocent Falun Gong practitioners, which was initiated on July 20, 1999. For 21 years, Falun Gong practitioners have displayed a peaceful and rational demeanor against the persecution. Their perseverance has not gone unnoticed in Sweden.
Twenty-six elected officials, including 24 members of the Swedish parliament, issued a joint statement on the 21st anniversary of the practitioners’ efforts to protest the persecution in support of Falun Gong and condemning the unprecedented brutality.
These elected officials recently received emails from the Chinese Ambassador in Sweden, defaming Falun Gong and trying to intimidate the officials.
Niclas Malmberg, Member of Swedish Parliament
Niclas Malmberg, Member of Swedish Parliament, disclosed the email from the Chinese Ambassador on his Facebook page. In addition to slandering Falun Gong, the email also threatened his reputation, leading to his peers saying that the intimidation from the CCP has made them more supportive of the Falun Gong practitioners’ effort against the persecution.
David Lega, Member of the European Parliament
“This is not the first time I have received the similar emails from the Chinese Embassy,” said David Lega, Member of the European Parliament. “Not long ago, the chairman of the Christian Democratic Party and I published an article in a daily newspaper, mentioning that due to the CCP’s cover-up of the epidemic, the relationship between Sweden and China will not be able to return to what it used to be. Soon I received a very frightening and intimidating letter.”
“Our attitude is very clear,” he said. “An ambassador using this kind of intimidation and threats to try to change the freedom of speech in our democratic country is not welcome.”
“Since last year, we have seen that China has tried its best to infiltrate countries worldwide, and does not accept freedom of speech. This is absolutely unacceptable.”
Lotta Johnsson Fornarve, Member of Swedish Parliament
Lotta Johnsson Fornarve, Member of Swedish Parliament, said that Swedish politicians would not be silenced through intimidation. Instead, they will continue their efforts to safeguard the human rights of Falun Gong practitioners and minorities in China, as well as in other countries.
“China is under control by a totalitarian regime that commits vicious crimes against human rights,” she said, “The CCP is not moving in the right direction. It is important for us politicians to exert pressure on China and criticize the human rights violations.”
The Chinese Ambassador requested a face-to-face meeting, which was refused. One official said, “A meeting is meaningless as the ambassador is not sincere. Sweden does not welcome such an ambassador.”
