Switzerland: Support from 38 Federal and Cantonal Legislators Who are Opposed to the CCP’s Persecution (Part 2)

(Minghui.org) July 2025 marks the 26th anniversary since the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) began to suppress Falun Gong in 1999. Thirty-eight Swiss federal and cantonal legislators sent videos or letters to support practitioners for persisting in their faith, Falun Gong, and upholding the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance while peacefully opposing the CCP’s persecution, both in China and the recent transnational repression.

These 38 legislators include 9 members of the National Council of the Federal Assembly and 29 cantonal and municipal councilors from seven cantons: Geneva, Vaud, Neuchâtel, Fribourg, Valais, Jura in the Romandy region of Switzerland, as well as Ticino in the Italian-speaking region.

(Continued from Part 1)

Twenty-nine Cantonal and City Council Members Called to End the CCP’s Suppression

First row (left to right): Members of the National Council of the Swiss Federal Assembly are from Geneva (Daniel Sormanni, Nicolas Walder, Delphine Klopfenstein, Laurence Fehlamn-Rielle, Vicent Maitre, Christian Dandrès), from Vaud (Leonore Porchet, Yvan Pahud)Second row (left to right): from Valais (Philippe Nantermod); Ana Roch (President of the Geneva Cantonal Council); Members of the Geneva Cantonal Council (Dilara Bayrak, Patrick Dimier, Jean-Charles Rielle, Natasha Buffet Desfayes, Cedric Jeanneret, Christian Flury)Third row (fleft to right): Members of the Geneva City Council (Anne Carron, Fabienne Baud, Emmanuel Deonna, Charlotte Meierhofer); Members of the Vaud Cantonal Council (Jean-Rémy Chevalley, Hadrien Buclin, Didier Lohri, Yannick Maury)Fourth row (from left to right): Eliane Aubert; Members of the Neuchâtel Cantonal Council (Ammann Tschopp Christine, Richard Gigon, Blaise Fivaz, Blaise Courvoisier, and Brigitte Leitenberg); Members of the Fribourg Cantonal Council (Hubert Dafflon, Fritz Glauser)Fifth row (left to right): Bertrand Gaillard, Member of the Valais Cantonal Council (Maxime Moix), Members of the Jura Cantonal Council (Nicolas Girard, Jelica Aubry-Janketic, Sophie Guenot), and Member of the Ticino Cantonal Council (Maria Pia Ambrosetti)

Canton and city council members from seven cantons in the French-speaking and Italian-speaking regions of Switzerland sent videos, letters, and messages of support for Falun Gong practitioners and urged an end to the persecution as soon as possible.

Ana Roch, President of the Geneva Cantonal Council

Ana Roch, President of the Geneva Cantonal Council, believes that freedom of belief and the practice of one's faith are fundamental and inalienable rights of citizens. In her letter of support, she wrote, “Commemorating the victims is crucial, and we must give a voice to those who have been silenced. I fully support your commitment to sincerity, justice, and human dignity.”

Jean-Charles Rieler, Member of the Geneva Cantonal Council

Jean-Charles Rielle, a member of the Geneva Cantonal Council, clearly stated in his letter of support, "Twenty-six years ago, the Chinese Communist Party launched a systematic and brutal campaign to ‘eradicate’ Falun Gong. Falun Gong is a practice that upholds the principles of respecting human values (Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance) and is practiced free of charge in over 100 countries around the world.”

He asked, “What crime have these innocent people committed to deserve such brutal persecution? Can meditation be considered a crime? Is believing in the universal values of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance a crime?”

He also believes that the Swiss government should be committed to ending the CCP's human rights violations and safeguarding freedom of belief and conscience. He also told Falun Gong practitioners in his letter, “I fully support you and admire your courage, unwavering determination, and your hope.”

Christine Ammann Tschopp, Member of the Neuchâtel Cantonal Council

Ms. Christine Ammann Tschopp, a member of the Neuchâtel Cantonal Council, also sent a letter of support. She wrote, “I hope my appeal will join the appeals of everyone around the world to bring an end to the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners soon. They simply practice according to the values of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance in pursuit of physical and mental health.” She also told practitioners, “On the 26th anniversary of this human tragedy, I extend my most sincere support and stand with you.”

Appreciating the Consistent Efforts of Practitioners

Richard Guigon, Member of the Neuchâtel Cantonal Council

"First, I express my deep solidarity and unwavering support for your courage and unwavering resistance to the persecution over the past 26 years,” wrote Richard Gigon, a member of the Neuchâtel Cantonal Council, in his letter of support to Falun Gong practitioners.

“It is unbearable to see the Chinese regime persecute, torture, and kill thousands of Falun Gong practitioners, forcibly harvesting their organs for lucrative trade in China. This is all simply because they practice qigong, a spiritual practice like yoga, and strive to follow the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance. Falun Gong is now practiced in over 130 countries,” he continued.

He believes that Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance should not be persecuted. “On the contrary, our world needs these values. I join all members of parliament around the world in calling for an end to this unjust and brutal suppression of so many innocent people, and urging everyone, regardless of their beliefs, to strive to uphold the human values of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance,” he explained.

Brigitte Lettenberg, Member of the Neuchâtel Cantonal Parliament

“My heart goes out to you to completely end the persecution of Falun Gong,” wrote Brigitte Leitenberg, a member of the Neuchâtel Cantonal Parliament, in a letter of support.

“I strongly hope that the situation in China will change, that everyone can regain the freedom to practice as they did before July 1999, and that the universal human values of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance can be preserved,” she added.

Emmanuel Deonna, Councillor of the Geneva City Council

In his letter of support, Geneva City Council member Emmanuel Deonna told practitioners that ,although he was unable to participate in the activities to stop the persecution, he “thinks of you often” and “I applaud your exemplary courage and determination! Greetings to all Falun Dafa practitioners! May this cruelty and persecution end soon!”

Didier Lory, Green Party Member of the Vaud Cantonal Council

“I would like to express my support for the Swiss Falun Dafa Association and its efforts to safeguard freedom of conscience, fundamental human rights, and spiritual peace,” wrote Didier Lohri, a Green Party member of the Vaud Cantonal Council.

In his letter of support, he said that he had been following Falun Gong since 2006 and witnessed the real situation in China during his 2008 visit. “I never imagined that the facts revealed by the association were so true, nor did I imagine that practicing Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance would lead to human rights violations,” he continued.

Therefore, he commended the Swiss Falun Gong Association for its commitment to raising public awareness of violations of fundamental human rights and its efforts to promote peaceful dialogue, mutual respect, and human dignity.

Maria Pia Ambrosetti, Member of the Ticino Cantonal Council in the Italian-speaking region

Maria Pia Ambrosetti, a member of the Ticino Cantonal Council in the Italian-speaking region, wrote in a letter of support, “I would like to express my deepest support and respect for all Falun Gong practitioners and their families who have suffered from repression and persecution.

“Perhaps what those in power fear most is that this practice based on Truthfulness, Compassion, and Tolerance will grow stronger, leading people to awaken their consciences, recognize these universal values, and break free from the influence of all authoritarian rule,” she continued.

“In a just world, believing in and practicing inner peace should never be considered a crime, but quite the opposite!” she added. “I encourage those who are unafraid of oppression to move forward with determination, for their courage and their commitment to upholding human dignity.”

(The end)