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Bern, Switzerland: Elected Officials and Everyday People Oppose the Persecution in China

July 6, 2025 |   By Minghui correspondent Gao Siyu in Switzerland

(Minghui.org) Practitioners held an event in Switzerland’s capital city, Bern, on June 28, 2025, to introduce Falun Dafa. They also exposed the 26-year-long persecution by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), hoping to bring the brutality to an end. Two cantonal parliament members wrote letters to the event in support of practitioners’ efforts.

That morning, practitioners read a letter in front of the Chinese Embassy. They explained that the CCP’s suppression was wrong and urged the officials to follow their conscience instead of blindly following the CCP to commit bad deeds.

Practitioner did the Falun Dafa exercises in Bern’s city center on June 28.

A practitioner read a letter in front of Chinese Embassy at Bern.

A practitioner exposed the CCP’s atrocities in a speech.

Admiration for the Principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance

Hans Egli, a member of the Zurich parliament

Hans Egli, a member of Zurich cantonal legislature, has been a longtime supporter of Falun Dafa practitioners. In a recent letter, he wrote that the CCP has systematically suppressed Falun Dafa, a peaceful meditation system which is based on the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. A large number of practitioners were detained and tortured and deprived of their basic human rights.

Despite these adversities, practitioners around the world have worked tirelessly to uphold the upright and seek justice. He wrote that these are examples of our commitment to human rights, freedom, and dignity. Egli thanked the practitioners for these efforts because they inspire us to safeguard freedom and basic rights.

At the end of the letter, Egli called for more support so that the persecution would end, and the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance would draw more admiration from around the world.

Eva Keller is a former parliament member of St. Gallen.

Eva Keller, a member of St. Gallen cantonal legislature, has also been supportive of Falun Dafa practitioners for years. She wrote that what practitioners suffered in the persecution was beyond description. The suppression has now been exported outside China, which raises additional concerns.

In her letter, Keller thanked everyone for their perseverance in safeguarding human rights and justice, especially those related to Falun Dafa. Only when the atrocities are exposed will the situation change. Therefore, we cannot ignore or forget about these victims.

A Better Life

A practitioner introduced Falun Dafa to passersby.

Many people stopped by the event and asked about Falun Dafa. Practitioners told them that since the practice was introduced to the public in 1992, it has brought huge physical and spiritual benefits to practitioners in over 100 countries. Practitioners follow the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance in their daily lives and do the five sets of exercises.

Many people said they liked the practice. Stationery store owner Thomas Käser said that these principles are important to everyone. No matter where we are, we should strive to be good people.

Coming from France, Isuf Arifi is a sales representative in Switzerland. He said the event was very peaceful. “Needless to say, the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance are very important for our lives,” he said.

End the Tragedies

Passersby wished to learn about Falun Dafa.

Some people asked why the CCP persecutes Falun Dafa. Practitioners explained that the CCP wants to control Chinese citizens’ minds, and does not allow independent thinking. Plus, the CCP has a core theory of class struggle, hatred, and lies, making it hostile to traditional values represented by Falun Dafa.

Arifi said the situation in China is horrible. “The persecution is wrong and we should step forward and take actions, no matter Europe or the United States. This should not happen in the 21st century,” he said.

Käser said the persecution, especially forced organ harvesting, is frightening. “We cannot trade people’s lives for money. This is a heinous crime,” he explained.

People signed petitions to help end the persecution.

Many passersby signed petitions calling to end the suppression. One of them was nursing student Alois Marler. “Everyone should be able to follow his or her belief, especially principles such as Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance,” he said. “The CCP should not persecute them. We have to help practitioners.”

A good meditation system like Falun Dafa brings people a peaceful mind and a better life, Marler added. He said it’s important to help those being persecuted so that their condition improves.

Letting More People Know

Three girls from the U.S. signed the petitions urging a stop to the CCP’s mistreatment of Falun Dafa practitioners, including forced organ harvesting. One of them, Ana, said she did this because we need to step forward and raise awareness. Another girl, Camila, agreed. “When people keep passing on the information, the suppression will stop sooner,” she explained. Carolina said she would tell her friends about this so that they could also sign the petitions. All of them scanned the QR code on the petition to share with others.

Smain Hassi

Smain Hassi, a trainee teacher who was hearing about Falun Dafa and the persecution for the first time, said he could definitely share the information with friends. “What [Falun Dafa] practitioners have done is great. I would like to support something so beautiful because our world needs it,” he explained.

Encourages Practitioners

Practitioners told passersby that the persecution has been ongoing since July 1999. Over the years, practitioners have raised awareness of this in numerous ways, including signature drives, rallies, parades, information days, and peaceful protests in front of Chinese Embassy and Chinese Consulates.

Käser said he was touched by practitioners’ consistent efforts throughout the years, “This remarkable. If we keep doing this, one day we will see the results.”

Hassi agreed. “It’s important not to give up. So many people still don’t know about this, so perseverance and joint efforts will make a difference,” he added.

Group exercise and signature drive