UK: Officials Express Support for Falun Gong on Commemoration of April 25 Appeal

(Minghui.org) Falun Gong practitioners prepared to hold an event in London on April 29, 2023 to mark the 24th anniversary of the April 25 Appeal in Beijing. Several days before, multiple members of the British House of Lords and House of Commons sent emails to express their support for their efforts to expose the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) ongoing persecution of Falun Gong. 

Lord Pearson of Rannoch

Lord Pearson of Rannoch stated, “The Chinese Government’s treatment of Falun Gong can safely be described as evil. Feel free to quote me, and keep fighting.”

Shabana Mahmood MP

Shabana Mahmood MP stated, “I share your concerns on this issue. I am also a member of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC), a group of parliamentarians from across the globe intent on holding China to account and reforming our approach to Chinese relations. I support all efforts of parliamentarians to raise the profile of this issue in the House, including the persecution of the Falun Gong.”

Fiona Bruce MP

Fiona Bruce MP stated, “In my role as Vice Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Freedom of Religion or Belief, I extend my heartfelt compassion for the unjust situation you and countless people practicing Falun Gong find themselves in today. 

“No one should lose a job, miss out on education, be imprisoned, tortured, even killed, simply on account of their religion or belief. 

“I and my colleagues from the All Party Parliamentary Group on Freedom of Religion or Belief in the UK Parliament stand with you in your campaign for the right to practice Falun Gong without fear and in peace.” 

Martyn Day MP

Martyn Day MP stated, “All people must be free to practise whatever religion they choose, and I wholeheartedly support the right of practitioners of Falun Gong to practise their faith in peace and without fear. 

“I condemn the continued persecution of Falun Gong practitioners by the Chinese Government, and I am deeply disturbed by reports that Falun Gong practitioners continue to suffer torture, imprisonment, forced organ harvesting and death. Although I cannot be with you in person today, I stand with you in support of freedom of belief, and against religious persecution.”

Ian Murray MP

Ian Murray MP stated, “During my 13 years as Member of Parliament for Edinburgh South, a dedicated group of campaigners in my constituency have kept me updated on the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China. 

“I remain deeply concerned about the persecution of people on the grounds of their religion or belief in China, be it Uighur Muslims in Xinjiang, Christians, Buddhists, or Falun Gong practitioners. The freedom to practise, change or share one's faith or belief without discrimination or violent opposition is a human right that all people should enjoy and it is unacceptable that it is still allowed to take place.

“Furthermore, the international community should come together with one voice to oppose the persecution of Falun Gong and to stand united against all forms of racism and persecution.”

Lord Hylton

Lord Hylton stated, “I am pleased to join and support your protest against arbitrary detention, forced organ removals and persecution, that sometimes causes death, among Falun Gong practitioners in China.” 

Baroness (Ruth) Lister

Baroness (Ruth) Lister stated, “As someone who knows the benefits of practising Tai Chi I very much support your campaign for a peaceful environment in which you have the right to practise Falun Gong.”

Fleur Anderson MP

Fleur Anderson MP stated, “I’m grateful to you for taking the time to share your thoughts and concerns on this issue, which I am of course happy to raise with the Government on your behalf. I will table a written parliamentary question as soon as possible to the Secretary of State to press them on this issue.”

Laurence Robertson MP

Laurence Robertson MP stated, “The environment for freedom of religion or belief across China is restrictive, including the persecution of Christians, Muslims, Buddhists, Falun Gong practitioners and others on the grounds of their religion or belief.

“The Government work within the UN, OSCE, Council of Europe, International Religious Freedom or Belief Alliance and other international organisations and networks to promote and protect freedom of religion or belief for all where it is threatened.

“More broadly, the Government regularly raise the human rights situation in China directly with the Chinese authorities at the highest levels. Most recently, the Foreign Secretary did so in a meeting with his Chinese counterpart on 20 September.”

Caroline Lucas MP

Caroline Lucas MP stated, “I know how much the right to practice Falun Gong means to you and hope you know I share your ongoing concern that this right is so brutally and systematically denied by the Chinese authorities. It’s deeply shocking to read about the sheer scale of the human rights abuses suffered by people simply and peacefully exercising their right to religious freedom, and I don’t think the UK Government is doing anything like enough to object or to apply pressure to China.” 

Patrick Grady MP

Patrick Grady MP stated, “This December will mark the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The rights set out in that declaration are fundamental and intrinsic to every single human being and must be recognised, respected and protected by the international community. Falun Gong practitioners, Uyghur Muslims, and other minorities in China must be allowed to express their beliefs and practice their faiths free from persecution and intimidation. The UK Government and other democracies must take whatever steps they can to identify and challenge those responsible for persecution, arbitrary arrest and detention, unfair trials, torture, summary executions and forced organ harvesting. 

“Many MPs across the House of Commons support practitioners of the Falun Gong and their right to practise their faith without fear, and we send our support and solidarity in the fight for freedom and an end to persecution.”

Bob Doris MSP

Bob Doris MSP stated, “I understand the event commemorates the 24th anniversary of the peaceful appeal made by Falun Gong practitioners to the Chinese government on 25 April 1999. 

“The repression and denial of basic civil liberties that have been perpetrated by the Chinese state has been well documented. These crimes are an ongoing moral and ethical scandal. 

“The international community has sought over the years to offer constructive engagement with the Chinese authorities on such matters, but that engagement has not brought any admission of culpability from China, nor I am aware of any relenting of the treatment of Falun Gong practitioners. 

“A few years ago I sponsored an event at the Scottish Parliament where I heard from those with first-hand lived experience of forced organ harvesting. It was deeply compelling and disturbing.

“Thank you for keeping these issues in the global spotlight and I hope the rally offers unity and strength.”