(Minghui.org) Falun Gong practitioners in many cities around the world held peaceful protests either before or on International Human Rights Day. On December 5 and 7, 2024, practitioners in Finland held peaceful protests outside the Chinese Embassy in Helsinki and a candlelight vigil at Kamppi Square in the city.

December 10 marked International Human Rights day and the anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The theme this year is “Our rights, our future, right now.” Falun Gong has been brutally persecuted by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in China for 25 years. Practitioners in Finland called on the regime to end the persecution and immediately release all illegally detained practitioners, and stop committing crimes against humanity including taking organs from practitioners.

Practitioners held a peaceful protest outside the Chinese embassy in Helsinki.

A practitioner gave a speech and described the 25 year long persecution. According to Minghui.org, from January to November this year, 710 practitioners were illegally sentenced to prison. He said that within the regime, some who cannot distinguish between good and evil actively participated in persecuting Falun Gong and were promoted.

However, the more actively they participate in the persecution, the greater their sins and more severe the punishment. For example, around the 2023 International Human Rights day, practitioners in 44 countries, including Finland, handed another list of perpetrators to their countries of residence requesting that these perpetrators and their family members be barred from entering the country, and their assets frozen in accordance with the law.

With the Christmas holiday approaching, many people were shopping. When they passed by Kamppi Square where practitioners held a candlelight vigil, the banners and a long row of photos of practitioners tortured to death in China caught their attention. Many people stopped and talked with practitioners to find out more information. They signed the petition to support ending the atrocities and thanked practitioners for their efforts to raise awareness. Some said, “We wish you all the best,” and “We hope you will collect many signatures.”

People sign the petition to show their support for the candlelight vigil held by practitioners to commemorate the victims of the persecution in China.

This Is Important

Matialta, who usually pays attention to events taking place in China such as organ harvesting, the CCP’s persecution of Muslims and so on said, “Your being here is important.”

Julia, who is a doctor, said she read a book that talked about the organ harvesting. She said it was “horrifying” and told practitioners, “I understand you need to tell the stories of those who are suppressed.”

Miraslava, who is from Slovakia, spoke to practitioners for a long time. Regarding the Internet censorship and brainwashing of Chinese citizens, she said, “The Chinese authoritarian regime uses this to brainwash and coerce people.”

Miraslava (right) from Slovakia wished Falun Gong practitioners good luck.

A practitioner said that during the Nazi period, concentration camps were used to murder ordinary citizens. Now, the CCP is using organ harvesting to make money. Miraslava said, “The media seldom reports such things. Many things are covered up. Maybe this is nothing new to them or they pay more attention to financial gains and turn their heads away from this.” She glady took informational materials and wished practitioners good luck.

Australian Woman Is Moved to Tears

A woman from Australia, who now lives in Finland, was moved when a practitioner told her that her husband and mother were tortured to death for practicing Falun Gong. With tears in her eyes, she hugged the practitioner. She said she was sad and that the persecution is preposterous.

A woman from Australia (left) listened with tears in her eyes as a practitioner described the persecution she suffered in China.

A family from Siberia talked with practitioners at the information booth. They were sympathetic after hearing the practitioners’ personal experiences and said they wanted to sign the petition. One family member told practitioners, “I know what the CCP is about, and what communism is. The CCP is terrible. We sincerely hope the situation in China improves.”