(Minghui.org) December 10th is International Human Rights Day. Falun Gong practitioners held an event to tell people about the spiritual discipline in front of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, in eastern France, on December 9, 2024. They also condemned the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) persecution of Falun Gong, and called on people from all walks of life to work together to help end the brutality.

Practitioners held an event in front of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg on December 9.

The Council of Europe is an international organization that brings together 46 member states and about 675 million citizens by protecting human rights and strengthening legal standards in the field of democracy and the rule of law in Europe. It aims to promote cooperation among member states and promote economic and social progress.

Practitioners follow the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance to improve their character and to assimilate the characteristics of the universe. In July 1999, the CCP launched the persecution. Twenty-five years have passed, but the persecution continues and has intensified. The CCP’s methods are cruel, and include harvesting organs from living Falun Gong practitioners for lucrative profits.

Staffers of the Council of Europe, local residents, and tourists talked with practitioners and learned about the CCP’s persecution and forced organ harvesting. They signed a petition to end the forced organ harvesting and expressed their support for Falun Gong.

People sign a petition calling for an end to the persecution.

No One Should Take Away Another Person’s Life or Organs

Nassim is a college student majoring in finance. He said, “I oppose all these persecution actions because they involve human organs and human life. We can’t do this. I oppose all the persecution because we can’t take away a person’s life or organs.”

He also said that it was important to pass on this information. Now there is the Internet, which was unimaginable before. Therefore, it is very important to verify your own sources of information. We all have this opportunity now, so we should make good use of it.

Nassim is passionate about Asia, especially China. He agrees with the core values of Falun Dafa - Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, and said, “I appreciate Falun Gong practitioners for passing on these values and always respecting these values. I find that these values include patience, kindness, and respect for people. I feel this is very important in today’s society.”

Michel said after signing the petition, “In every dictatorship, people will find many facts that are concealed. Then we also realize that it is always ordinary people who bear the consequences. Your [Falun Gong practitioners’] actions do reflect the values we need today. The persecution does exist. Unfortunately, we can’t help but feel that we are witnessing this [human] deviation, which makes everyone feel terrified. I hope you will continue to reveal the truth of these things. This is very important to reveal all that is happening [in China].”

Marc Kiffer, an IT engineer, said that in order to change the status quo, it’s important to disclose information as much as possible. He said that it’s not easy to release news in China, but if necessary, technical tools must be used to help all dissidents so that they can pass on information and let the public know. This is the first step.

“Organ harvesting from living people is not acceptable,” Ms. Aumont said. “It’s an inhuman act. We are not born into this world to do such things. It is shameful that they [the CCP] dare to do this. I have no words to describe it. The CCP is so disgusting, it is terrible!”

Falun Dafa’s Principles Are Meaningful

Ms. Roehm who works for an international organization in Europe said, “China has suffered a lot under this communist regime, and unfortunately, not enough is said about it internationally.” She said that this is because the Chinese may be more low-key and complain less about conflicts. She said that people pay far less attention to China than to other places, which makes her feel bad for them.

Ms. Roehm also strongly agrees with the concepts of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, and she said these values are good, “Because when we lack patience, we tend to become angry. And anger is a very strong emotion in Europe and even in the Middle East. The Chinese have long understood that in order to overcome this anger, we must first cultivate patience. So the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance that Falun Dafa teaches are very meaningful.”