Italy: Elected Officials Support Falun Dafa Practitioners and Condemn the Persecution

(Minghui.org) The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) began persecuting Falun Dafa and its practitioners 26 years ago, on July 20, 1999. Practitioners in Italy held a three-day event in Rome to condemn these egregious human rights violations and to call for the brutality to end. Several Members of Parliament (MPs) and other elected officials expressed their support.

They condemned the CCP’s violation of human rights, especially it’s transnational suppression. They called on the Italian government and European Union to take action to help stop the 26-year-long persecution and ensure freedom of belief.

Senator: Strong Support For Falun Gong Practitioners

Senator Giulio TerziScreenshots of Senator Giulio Terzi’s’ post on social media

Giulio Terzi, President of the 4th Permanent Senate Commission of EU Affairs and Senator of the Brothers of Italy party, stated, “Faced with the intensifying transnational repression by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) against Falun Gong practitioners worldwide, who are suffering intimidation, physical attacks, baseless lawsuits, and defamation through social media, it is necessary to express our strongest support and sympathy for the extraordinary and courageous struggle of their peaceful movement.

“When, in 1999, the CCP banned the spiritual discipline of Falun Gong, its practitioners turned to democratic states and international bodies to put an end to the oppression and demand respect for the rights denied to them. Today, once again, we join them in calling on the EU, its member states, and local administrations not to give in to interference and pressure, including in the cultural field, aimed at targeting Falun Gong practitioners, who ask for nothing more than respect for human dignity, rights, and the universal values of humanity.”

Senator Cinzia Pellegrino: Take Action to Stop the Persecution

Senator Cinzia Pellegrino

Cinzia Pellegrino, member of the Italian Senate Human Rights Committee and Senator of the Brothers of Italy party, said in an interview, “On the occasion of the 26th anniversary of the Chinese regime’s perpetration of harassment against Falun Gong practitioners, I would like to once again express my total solidarity and closeness to those people who are simply persecuted and subjected to all kinds of violence simply because they practice a religion inspired by simple principles such as truth, compassion, and tolerance.

“These are probably words that frighten a regime because they allow it to regain true freedom and, above all, the idea of group and community. These are two very strong principles that will surely be able to defeat any regime in the long term, including the Chinese one.

“Alongside this, there must be further closeness and solidarity from institutions and governments. The international community cannot turn a blind eye to these serious human rights violations, but must stand firmly in support of all those who are oppressed for their beliefs, thoughts or spiritual practices.

“I also hope that all those persecuted by regimes, even abroad, will find the complete solidarity of embassies and foreign governments. This is because the protection of human rights and democracy must be universal principles that inspire everyone, without exception.”

The Piedmont Regional Committee for Human and Civil Rights ExpressesIts Firmest Solidarity with Falun Gong Practitioners

Davide Nicco, President of the Committee for Human and Civil Rights

Giampiero Leo, Vice President of the Committee for Human and Civil Rights

Sara Zambaia, Vice President of the Committee for Human and Civil Rights

Letter from The Piedmont Regional Committee for Human and Civil Rights

The letter from The Piedmont Regional Committee for Human and Civil Rights reads, “This persecution represents one of the most serious human rights crises in China and has led to millions of abuses, arbitrary detentions, torture, and killings. The Regional Committee for Human and Civil Rights, among its founding principles, recognizes the importance of freedom of belief, expression, and human dignity: fundamental values that must always be protected and defended.

“For these reasons, as we approach July 20, 2025, the 26th anniversary of the beginning of the persecution, we wish to send a message of support that:

“Condemns the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners and the forced organ harvesting of Falun Gong practitioners, a practice that has been widely documented and denounced by international reports;“Expresses concern about the campaign of intimidation and disinformation conducted by the Chinese regime, aimed at targeting Falun Gong practitioners and their supporters.“The Regional Committee for Human and Civil Rights, supporting the initiatives organized in Rome on July 4th, joins the call for action to end the ongoing persecution and renews its commitment to the protection of human rights and human dignity.”

Letter from Member of Italy’s Chamber of Deputies

Emanuele Pozzolo, member of Italy’s Chamber of Deputies.

The letter from Hon. Emanuele Pozzolo reads, “You love and defend life and freedom, and in doing so, you fight against one of the worst demonic tyrannies human history has ever seen: Communist China.

“The deepest meaning of earthly life is measured in the ability to be people, men and women, body and soul: capable of recognizing, preserving, and passing on the beauty of a daily smile towards our children and towards Creation, as well as the courage to fight against the evil of those who plan a humanity subjugated by a single ideology, globalist algorithms, and pseudo-scientific technology.

“Those who vivisect human bodies, commercializing organs, in the name of social justice and progress, should pose a personal existential question to everyone: each should decide whether to remain silent, to please the powers that be, or to join, spiritually or directly, in the noble struggle of those who refuse to surrender to the arrogance of evil.

“I, one among billions of human beings, stand with you: not only with the words and actions that mark my political activity, but with the most powerful force in history: prayer.” (Original letter)

Senator Erica Stefani: Always Hold High the Torch of Courage, Heart, and Mind

Senator Erica StefaniLetter from Senator Erica Stefani

The letter from Senator Erica Stefani reads, “First of all, I would like to express my sincere gratitude for your kind consideration in sending me the invitation to address this important and significant event.

“The political movement to which I belong has always based its action on the sacred principle of the self-determination of peoples. Before any other reflection, we must recognize the intrinsic value of the existence of a People: when a group of individuals unite by sharing common goals, sentiments, and traditions, they emerge as a true community.

“The People and their citizens must be respected, because, before any law or any rule, freedom, in its many forms, exists. This freedom represents the indispensable foundation of human dignity, the beating heart of every authentically democratic society.

“No threat can ever compromise the integrity of a State or a Government that respects the People, their self-determination, and their freedom. It is by respecting these foundations that the stability and prosperity of a political organization can be guaranteed.

“I live in Italy, and while I can only judge what I see and know, I am deeply convinced, strengthened by our country’s rich, pluralistic culture, that every individual should be able to be free, respecting others and without causing harm to anyone.

“I therefore urge you to always hold high the torch of courage, heart, and mind in your noble actions.”

President of the Italian Federation for Human Rights: EU Institutions Should Take a Firm Stand to Stop Transnational Repression

Antonio Stango, President of the Italian Federation for Human Rights

“Twenty-six years after the Chinese Communist Party regime began persecuting Falun Gong practitioners, democratic states and international organizations should not only call for an end to the often bloody oppression of this spiritual practice in China, but also pay concrete attention to the increasing forms of transnational repression implemented by the Chinese regime in numerous countries, including Italy,” stated President Antonio Stango.

“The threats, even physical attacks, organized defamation on social media, and pressure on governments, local administrations, cultural institutions, and human rights groups aimed at isolating Falun Gong practitioners and preventing their activities are unacceptable; and our governments, as well as the institutions of the European Union, should make this firmly clear.” (Original statement)

Former MP Supports Falun Gong

Elisabetta Zamparutti, former MP

Elisabetta Zamparutti, Italian representative to the European Committee against Torture and former MP, stated, “Dearest friends of Falun Gong, you are the force of truth, compassion, and tolerance. You are what the violent Chinese regime fears most, robbing people of the truth and forcefully repressing anything that doesn’t conform to its obedience. It does this within China but also beyond its borders. We know this well.

“You are the enemy of the Chinese regime, and for this very reason, you are the friends of every free and democratic spirit and system. You are my friends.

“In a world where everything seems to be based on power relations, you are the ones who can teach us that the strength of relationships is what matters most. Over time, it is the strength of relationships that is destined to prevail.

“I am with you to affirm the truth about who you are and who the Chinese regime is. I am with you to stop the persecution against you and thus liberate the best of us.” (Original letter)

Editor-in-Chief Respinti: How Long the World Tolerates the Persecution

Marco Respinti, Editor-in-Chief of Bitter Winter

Marco Respinti, Editor-in-Chief of Bitter Winter, wrote, “July 20th is just a few days away, and July 20th is a date impossible to forget.

“On that day in 1999, the communist regime that imprisons and tyrannizes the populations living within the borders of the People’s Republic of China unleashed an unprecedented persecution against a group of peaceful citizens, guilty only of not conforming to the dictates of atheistic materialism that constitutes the core of the Chinese Communist Party’s ideology.

“They were practitioners of Falun Dafa, a spiritual movement rooted in Chinese tradition, which has since been attacked with the most despicable weapons, weapons that have decimated it.

“Among these is the shameful practice of forced organ harvesting, destined, moreover, to feed a lucrative black market that the regime exploits.

This brutality must end. It must end now.

“Twenty-six long years have passed since the beginning of that persecution. The testimonies of ongoing harassment and the irrefutable documents collected hold the Beijing regime accountable.

“Not another day, not another hour, not another minute must pass in indifference. Falun Dafa, Falun Dafa practitioners, thirst for justice and hunger for truth. The world cannot continue to look the other way, amusing itself with amenities and business with a regime—the Chinese communist one—whose hands are dripping with blood.

“‘How long?’ asks the author of Psalm 13 in the Judeo-Christian Bible.

“How long will the world allow the sisters and brothers of Falun Dafa to pay the high price of international coexistence with an illiberal government that unjustly imprisons and kills its own citizens?” (Original letter)