Switzerland: Public Support for 25-year Effort to Expose Persecution of Falun Gong in China

(Minghui.org) “This is an excellent rally held by good people, and it tells people what happened. I think events like this should be held more often,” Daniel said after signing a petition to call for an end to the persecution of Falun Gong (also called Falun Dafa) at Kornhaus Platz in Bern on July 27, 2024.

Many passersby said that watching practitioners do the Falun Gong exercises made them feel relaxed.

Daniel was one of the many people who noticed the Falun Dafa displays and banners on the square, as well as practitioners dressed in bright yellow shirts doing the Falun Dafa exercises.

Practitioners shared about the benefits of practicing Falun Dafa through speeches and also called on people to help stop the persecution in China.

Practitioners shared with the public the wonderful aspects of practicing Falun Dafa, giving talks about how they benefited from following Dafa’s principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance. Another focus of the day’s activities was to raise awareness about the ongoing persecution of Falun Dafa in China and draw more support for ending the atrocities.

One practitioner said in their speech, “In the past 25 years, the CCP has been persecuting hundreds of millions of Falun Dafa practitioners. In China, police officers break into practitioners’ homes, ransack them and take their belongings, illegally detain and torture them, even take their organs without consent for huge profits. Countless people have lost their lives in this 25-year-long persecution.”

Practitioners read a letter explaining the facts of the persecution outside the Chinese Embassy in Bern, hoping embassy staff can learn the truth and make the right choice.

In other speeches during the rally, practitioners mentioned two open letters read by practitioners that morning outside the Chinese Embassy in Bern. The letters, written in Chinese and German, told embassy staff the following: “Because Falun Dafa is so good, the practice has spread to over 100 countries in the past 30 years. Yet because of the extent of the persecution, for 25 years, many families have been broken; yet no matter where they are, or which country they come from, Falun Gong practitioners all over the world hope that you, as employees in the embassy, can open your heart to understand the truth and choose a good future for yourself and your family.”

Many people learned about the persecution at the rally.

People sign the petition to call for an end to the persecution.

It was the first time Daniel had heard of Falun Dafa. After chatting with a practitioner, he said he thought Falun Dafa is “excellent,” and that the principles taught by Falun Dafa – Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance are “extremely important; it will enable people to get along well with one another, uphold human nature and be of great help to all kinds of people no matter their race.” He signed the petition to end the persecution.

Politicians, Human Rights Group Express Support

Practitioners also read letters of support received from elected officials and human rights organizations.

In their letter, the Christian Action for the Abolition of Torture (ACAT) wrote: “We support Falun Gong practitioners in China and all parts of the world, we support their efforts. They have freedom to pursue their faith in Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance.”

The letter also described the CCP’s illegal persecution of Falun Gong practitioners including organ harvesting. ACAT paid respects to practitioners who lost their lives in the persecution and asked after their family members. They said they would “unreservedly condemn this brutal and unjust persecution,” and stand with practitioners “in demanding the CCP stop the persecution, carry out independent investigations into the crimes committed, and bring those responsible to justice.”

Finally, they urged “the UN, EU, Swiss government and all countries to condemn these crimes that severely go against international laws.”

Former St. Gallen legislator Eva KellerDr. Bernhard Hauser, Member of Parliament of the State of St. Gallen 

In their support letters, Dr. Bernhard Hauser, Member of Parliament of the State of St. Gallen, and former St. Gallen legislator Eva Keller highlighted the need for more action to expose, openly condemn and resist the CCP’s persecution of Falun Gong practitioners. They thanked everyone who has expressed support for Falun Gong and dedication to human rights.

I Hope More People Hear of Such a Great Practice

Alexander Lautenschläger, a military officer from Germany, was on holiday in Bern. He was delighted to see the Dafa practitioners’ activity. Several years ago, Mr. Lautenschläger learned about Falun Dafa online. He told practitioners, “I thought the message transmitted by this faith and the direction it provided is very attractive, it is so peaceful and amazing. I have a positive impression of Falun Gong. It mentioned particularly important points for humanity and society. I loved it.”

Alexander Lautenschläger hopes more people learn about the benefits of Falun Dafa.

When talking about the principles taught by Falun Gong – Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance, Mr. Lautenschläger said, “I feel that such values are disappearing in our society. People are becoming more indifferent to one another. Yet I think such values are important. I think it is inspiring that [Falun Dafa] makes this a focal point.”

As he watched the rally, he remarked, “Wonderful, I can feel the peace. They sit there meditating quietly. I find it easy to immerse myself in it.”

Practitioners demonstrate the fifth set of exercises – the sitting meditation.

When Mr. Lautenschläger reflected on how this group of people has been persecuted for 25 years, he said, “As a European, freedom of speech and belief are important. One cannot have such freedom in China; it is a great pity. One should be allowed to continue doing things that have a positive impact. They [practitioners] do not harm society yet they are persecuted; it is a pity. There are also arrests by the police. It is horrifying. Such things should not happen anywhere in this world.”

Mr. Lautenschläger said he hopes that by signing the petition, “more people learn of such a great practice. I also hope to stop organ harvesting and other persecution crimes.”

The CCP Should Learn Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance

Lauren, a tourist from the U.S., said she’s seen practitioners’ protests in New York and Washington. She has also read news reports exposing the CCP’s persecution and crimes of organ harvesting.

Practitioners demonstrate the exercises.

Lauren said, “Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance are wonderful messages in today’s world. Especially tolerance, I myself trying to be more forgiving. The CCP should learn these principles.”

She added, “The CCP is afraid of those with different views. These people cannot practice meditation freely, and even their family members are implicated; this is too strict. Freedom of belief, this is a human right. It’s wrong to persecute people because of their belief. Their faith is not a threat to the government; it is a peaceful practice, and it is not an issue at all.

“I read a lot about organ harvesting. The first time I read about it, I thought it was horrifying and I didn’t know whether it was true. Later on, as I read more about it, I realized all this is happening for real.”

Lauren signed the petition calling on the CCP to stop persecuting Falun Gong practitioners and then told practitioners, “I hope we can pressure the regime to stop the persecution. I hope your wish will come true and you can practice freely in China.”

25 Years of Persistence Makes Us Want to Support You

Patrik Voznak-Strasser told a practitioner, “I am deeply encouraged. I can feel your conviction and unity working together for a goal. I want to support you from my heart; I want to offer my help.”

While chatting with practitioners, he learned that over the past 25 years, practitioners all over the world have helped people understand what Falun Gong is all about and the efforts to stop the persecution through various peaceful means. He said, “I guess this is why I stopped here. I am happy to see your activities and give you my support.”

A military officer stopped by and said, “They made such a huge effort [to put the event together]. This shows how important this issue is. I am impressed and want to know about the motivation behind it. It is very persuasive.”

American tourist Lauren exclaimed, after learning about practitioners’ continuous efforts to expose the persecution, “Wow, it’s amazing. It goes to show their conviction. Please keep going.”

Many people talked with practitioners about Falun Dafa and said they hope the persecution ends soon.

A practitioner gave a woman a small keepsake with the message, “Falun Dafa is good, Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance is good” for her autistic daughter. She thought it would help her daughter, who gets frightened easily, to feel secure. 

Just before the activities ended, a woman in her 90s took information about Falun Dafa after speaking to practitioners. She said she planned to learn more about the practice.