(Minghui.org) A court in Moscow, Russia sentenced a Falun Gong practitioner to four years in prison on July 23, 2025. A number of UK parliamentarians have expressed deep concern, asking their government to state its position on this issue, and condemning the persecution of Falun Gong (also known as Falun Dafa). The European Union (EU) representative to Russia and the NGO Human Rights Without Frontiers have also expressed concern regarding the persecution of a spiritual belief.

MP: Calling on the Government to Condemn the Persecution

Martin Rhodes MPLetter from Martin Rhodes MP

Martin Rhodes MP (Member of Parliament) sent a letter to the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs on July 31, 2025. The letter reads, “I am writing on behalf of several constituents who have contacted me regarding the recent sentencing of Ms Natalia Minenkova, a Falun Gong practitioner in Russia, to four years’ imprisonment on 23rd July 2025. I am informed that this is the most severe sentence handed down to a Falun Gong practitioner in Russia to date, and that it follows a pattern of escalating repression, with at least eight practitioners detained since March 2024.

“Given the UK’s commitment to upholding human rights and freedom of belief, I would be grateful if you could clarify the Government’s position on this matter. In particular, I would welcome your views on whether the UK intends to raise this issue with the Russian authorities or to make a public statement condemning the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners.”

MP: Impact of the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) Transnational Repression

Ian Lavery MP

Ian Lavery MP thanked Falun Gong practitioners for bringing the Russia arrest to his attention, and stated, “I share your concern about the implications of these events. I will raise this matter with the relevant Minister.”

MP: Deep Concern About China’s Persecution of Belief

Rupa Huq MP

Rupa Huq MP stated in an email to practitioners, “I remain deeply concerned about the persecution of people on the grounds of their religion or belief in China.

“I have also been made aware of the incredibly disturbing allegations that have been reported over several years about human organ harvesting in China. I also understand that minority and religious groups, including Falun Gong practitioners, may be being specifically targeted.”

Referencing the China Tribunal’s verdict on the CCP’s forced organ harvesting, MP Huq said, “Indeed, the China Tribunal concluded that forced organ harvesting has been committed for years throughout China on a significant scale, with Falun Gong practitioners and the Uighurs being the main victims.

“I know the Government continues to raise concerns about human rights at the highest levels. I understand the Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary, Chancellor and Energy Secretary have all raised human rights recently with their counterparts, and the Government is particularly concerned with religious minorities in China. I will continue to support the Government’s work to defend freedom of religion and belief for all, and ensure that this is carried out.”

MSP: Condemning the Persecution of Religions

Patrick Harvie, MSP (Member of the Scottish Parliament)

Patrick Harvie MSP stated, “The Scottish Greens totally condemn any persecution of people on religious or ethnic grounds.”

EU Representative to Russia Expresses Concern

Jocelyn Guitton, head of the EU mission’s press and political section in Russia, also expressed deep concern regarding the persecution of belief in Russia. He stated in his response to a Falun Gong practitioner in Belgium, “The EU expresses its deep concern about the increasing repression and persecution of people based on religion or belief in Russia and China, as well as beyond its borders. The EU firmly condemns any discrimination, hostility and violence against people based on religion or belief, and continues to call for the respect, protection and fulfillment of the right to freedom of thought, conscience, religion and belief.”

Mr. Guitton wrote that he has noted the recent sentencing of Ms. Natalia Minenkova and was following this situation closely. He said that the use of legislation to silence or criminalize people for exercising their right to freedom of religion or belief is disturbing and incompatible with international human rights law, and the EU will continue to raise these issues with the Russian authorities.

Human Rights Without Frontiers International Posts an Article on Russia’s Sentencing

Human Rights Without Frontiers International, based in Belgium, posted an article from the Falun Dafa Information Center titled, “RUSSIA: Four years in prison for Natalia Minenkova, a Falun Gong practitioner.” The article describes the repression in Russia, from banning the book Zhuan Falun in 2011, to the recent sentencing of Falun Gong practitioner Ms. Natalia Minenkova to four years in prison.

Around 2000, Russian authorities started to follow the directives of the CCP and forced out several Falun Gong practitioners who were long-term residents of Russia, including Meng Zhaowu, Sun Lezhi, and Liu Mingting.

However, these actions have not prevented Russian citizens from embracing Zhuan Falun and benefiting from living according to Falun Gong’s principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance. Since the CCP launched its full-scale persecution in China in July 1999, a steady stream of Russians have begun practicing Falun Gong.