(Minghui.org) On July 14, 2021, Falun Dafa practitioners in Ireland peacefully rallied outside the Dublin International Conference Center to expose the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) 22-year-long persecution of the spiritual practice. They also drew attention to the CCP’s crime of live organ harvesting of prisoners of conscience, the majority of whom are Falun Dafa practitioners. Twelve senators, TDs (Teachta Dála, or Member of the Irish Parliament) and city councilors, including a Deputy Minister, supported their efforts through letters, parliamentary speeches, or by attending the rally in person. They urged the Irish government to help stop the persecution. Councilor Deirdre Forde of Cork City said, “The time to sanction the CCP may have come.”

On July 14, 2021, Falun Dafa practitioners in Ireland rallied outside the Dublin International Conference Center to expose the Chinese Communist Party’s crime of live organ harvesting, and the 22-year-long persecution of Falun Gong.

Joe O’Brien, Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development with special responsibility for Community Development and Charities

In his letter, Mr. Joe O’Brien, Minister of State at the Department of Rural and Community Development, wrote, “I am very aware of the Chinese Communist Party’s continued persecution of Falun Gong practitioners. I strongly support the call for an end to this persecution. The Chinese government should release anyone arrested for religious activities and allow everyone to enjoy freedom of belief. International human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have confirmed the CCP’s persecution of Falun Gong practitioners.”

Councilor Deirdre Forde of Cork City

Councilor Deirdre Forde of Cork City stated in her letter, “The Irish government and the European Union often raise the issue of human rights violations to the Chinese authorities through the China Human Rights Dialogue, but the dialogue can only end here. Considering the continuing level of violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms by the CCP, the time to sanction the Chinese Communist Party may have come. 

“I extend my solidarity and hope to all those who are at risk of such persecution, those who have suffered the most terrible brutal abuse, and those who have suffered continuous and extreme human rights violations. I stand with you. I urge all people with a sense of justice to speak up for you. I urge you, as we have done in our own history, to firmly raise your demands.”

Senator David Norris

“July 20, 2021 will be the day when the Chinese government has persecuted Falun Gong practitioners for 22 years,” Senator David Norris said in his letter, “In 1999, 100 million people in China were practicing Falun Gong. Since then, millions of people have been detained or thrown into jail, and thousands have been killed simply because of practicing Falun Gong. The Chinese government practices live organ harvesting from political and religious prisoners. How can we stand by and watch this crime that violates human rights and civil rights? I urge the Irish government to intervene, speak out against these cruel acts, and do what it can to help (the victims).

“Finally, I am very happy to hear the joint statement of the leaders of the G7, which urged China to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms. I sincerely hope that this kind of intervention will bring some benefits.”

Senator Malcolm Byrne raised the issue of the Chinese Communist Party’s human rights violation again in a parliamentary meeting one week prior to the rally and requested the parliament to discuss the relationship between Ireland and China. He also announced Falun Gong practitioners’ rally to be held the following week. 

In his letter to the event, Senator Byrne wrote, “I strongly support actions to protect human rights in China. Those who practice Falun Gong and many other minorities continue to suffer persecution by the Chinese Communist Party. Ireland calls on the Chinese government to respect human rights.”

Cian O'Callaghan TD stated in his letter, “Ireland and the international community stand side by side with Falun Gong practitioners. I condemn any persecution of religion in the strongest terms.”

Sean Canney TD wrote, “I support stopping the persecution of Falun Gong, which has been going on for 22 years. I call on the Chinese government to respect the human rights of everyone.”

Catherine Murphy TD

On May 13, 2021, World Falun Dafa Day, 23 Irish legislators sent congratulatory letters and greetings, and at the same time condemned the CCP's persecution of Falun Gong. 

Catherine Murphy, TD and leader of the Social Democratic Party, wrote, “The Irish Social Democrats stand side by side with you, and wish your resistance movement a success in the future. Your resistance movement is made up of bold personal actions regardless of huge personal risks. It continues to constitute what may be the largest non-violent underground movement in the world today.”

Mattie McGrath TD speaks at the rally

Mattie McGrath TD was one of the speakers at the rally. “I believe you have the rights to practice. I believe you have the rights to set determination. I believe you have the rights to do meditation,” he said. “I am here to support you. I want to talk more with you. I am very happy to help you in any way.”

Councilor Brian McKenna of Monaghan County

Peter Kavanagh, Mayor and Councilor of South Dublin County 

Councilor Gabriel Cronnelly of Galway City

Councilor Frank McBrearty Jr of Donegal County cited a quote by Martin Luther King, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

Event organizers also received supportive letters from Sean Canney TD, Councilor Brian McKenna of Monaghan County, Peter Kavanagh, Mayor and Councilor of South Dublin County, Councilor Gabriel Cronnelly of Galway City, and Councilor Frank McBrearty Jr of Donegal County.

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.