(Minghui.org) French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian wrote to Lise Magnier, Member of the French Assembly, on December 31, 2020, reiterating the French government’s commitment to human rights issues in China, especially the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) persecution against Falun Gong.

In response to an inquiry from Magnier on the plight of Falun Gong practitioners as well as the lack of free speech in China, Le Drian wrote, “France is extremely vigilant with regard to allegations of serious crimes against Falun Gong organization in China.”

He said that France intends to continue its efforts to push China to follow fundamental rights and freedoms. “At each bilateral meeting, France expresses its concern to the Chinese authorities and calls for respect for these rights and freedoms,” he continued, “Together with our European partners, our country constantly draws China’s attention to the need to allow greater freedom of expression and to build a true rule of law in China.”

“These messages are in particular transmitted within the framework of the dialogue between the European Union and China on human rights, as well as to the Human Rights Council,” he added. He also expressed concerns over this issue during a meeting with China’s State Councilor Wang Yi on November 20 last year.

Le Drian wanted to assure Magnier that the French government would continue monitoring the situation of Falun Gong practitioners in China and whether their fundamental rights are being protected.

After receiving the letter from Magnier, practitioners in France thanked her for helping them and the Foreign Minister on this important issue.

Since the persecution of Falun Gong started in China in July 1999, practitioners in France have continually informed government officials and the public of the suppression in China, especially torture and forced organ harvesting. They have received thousands of petitions and support from nearly 100 National Assembly members.

Frédérique Dumas, member of the National Assembly, introduced a bill on September 15, 2020, focused on stopping the forced organ harvesting in China. Sixty-five National Assembly members including Magnier signed the bill, which urges to “modify French domestic laws, in order to prevent French public and private health establishments from being made complicit in human rights violations of human organ transplantation.”