UK Parliamentarians and Community Leaders Express Support For Efforts to Expose Decades of Persecution

(Minghui.org) A rally on human rights and freedom of belief for Falun Gong practitioners in China was held at London’s famous Trafalgar Square on July 18, 2026. Prior to the rally, multiple high-profile cross-party figures—including members of the House of Lords and the House of Commons, local government representatives, and veteran human rights leaders—sent letters of support and joint statements to the organizers. They condemned the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) systemic human rights violations, especially its state-sanctioned forced organ harvesting of prisoners of conscience. They expressed their indignation at the CCP’s transnational repression and stated that foreign powers are not allowed to intimidate people in the UK.

Calling for an End to the CCP’s Persecution of Falun Gong

Lord David Alton, Chair of the Joint Committee on Human Rights in the UK Parliament (Courtesy Parliamentary website)

Lord David Alton, Chair of the Joint Committee on Human Rights in the UK Parliament, wrote, “I wholeheartedly join the calls for an end to the appalling persecution of Falun Gong by the Chinese Communist Party. The egregious and systematic violations of human rights bring great shame on the CCP while the deafening silence of too many people who should raise their voices in protest also leaves a terrible stain. The targeting of Falun Gong practitioners, including subjecting them to lethal forced organ harvesting, ranks with some of the worst ever crimes committed against humanity.”

“We Stand With Falun Gong Practitioners”

Marie Rimmer, CBE MP (Courtesy Parliamentary website)

Marie Rimmer, Commander of the Order of the British Empire and Member of Parliament, wrote, “Falun Gong practitioners have endured 27 years of brutal persecution at the hands of the Chinese Communist Party. They have been arbitrarily detained, tortured, and, as the China Tribunal concluded beyond reasonable doubt, subjected to forced organ harvesting on an industrial scale. This is one of the gravest crimes against humanity of our time, and it does not stop at China’s borders.

“Instead, China has brought its long arm of repression to our own shores. The intimidation and harassment that practitioners have faced here in the United Kingdom, including the bomb and death threats faced by British theatres hosting Shen Yun, which, I cannot say clearly enough, is a peaceful dance company, are an affront to our values of freedom of religion or belief and the rule of law.

“Britain does not bow to authoritarian repression. We have a proud history of standing up for human rights, and I say clearly today: we stand with Falun Gong practitioners. The Government must speak out, act, and make absolutely clear: no foreign power will silence peaceful people on British soil.”

Defending Fundamental Freedoms

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath, Member of the House of Lords (Parliamentary website)

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath, Member of the House of Lords, wrote, “I am pleased to send my best wishes to everyone taking part in the rally taking place on 18 July 2026, marking 27 years since the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners began in China.

“Freedom of religion or belief is a fundamental human right that must be respected everywhere. Reports over many years of the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners, including arbitrary detention, torture, and other serious human rights abuses, remain deeply concerning and deserve continued international attention.

“It is also essential that everyone in the United Kingdom is able to exercise their rights to freedom of belief, expression, and peaceful assembly without fear of intimidation or interference.

“I hope this event serves as a reminder of the importance of defending these fundamental freedoms and promoting respect for human dignity and human rights.”

Being a Strong Voice for Justice

Ian Murray MP (Parliamentary website)

Ian Murray MP expressed support to the rally participants and stated the basic human rights under the protection of UK law.

His letter reads, “Freedom of religion or belief is one of the most fundamental rights any of us hold, and this Government takes it extremely seriously, both at home and on the world stage.

“We will not tolerate any attempt by a foreign state to intimidate, harass or harm its critics here in the UK. Whatever your nationality, your fundamental rights are protected under UK law, and that protection is absolute. I know that for many of you, these are not abstract questions but lived experience.

“I remain firmly committed to defending freedom of religion or belief, and to being a strong voice for it in Parliament and internationally.”

Everyone Should Have Basic Human Rights

Robbie Moore MP (Parliamentary website)

Robbie Moore MP wrote, “The freedom to practice, change or share one’s faith or belief without discrimination or violent opposition is a human right. I am committed to defending freedom of religion or belief for all, and to promoting respect between different religious and non-religious communities.

“I share your concern about the ongoing persecution of Falun Gong practitioners and other groups in China. The UK must continue to raise human rights concerns, including on the treatment of religious and ethnic minorities, directly with the Chinese authorities and at multilateral fora.

“Please rest assured that I will keep the UK Government’s actions under close scrutiny to ensure that Ministers set out their concerns to the Chinese Government at the highest levels.”

Baroness Ruth Lister (Parliamentary website)

Ruth Lister, Baroness Lister of Burtersett, wrote, “As someone who knows the benefits of practising Tai Chi I very much support your campaign for a peaceful environment in which you have the right to practise Falun Gong. I wish you well for your rally.”

We Protest Until the Persecution Stops

Benedict Rogers (Official website)

Benedict Rogers, senior director of Fortify Rights, co-founder and chair of Hong Kong Watch, and co-founder and deputy chair of the Conservative Party Human Rights Commission, sent a message.

His message reads, “I want to emphasise that as always, I am with you in spirit and solidarity.

“The persecution of Falun Gong by the CCP is one of the most tragic, harrowing, heartbreaking and outrageous injustices of our times. For more than ten years I have been deeply engaged in helping to raise awareness about the suffering of Falun Gong practitioners in China, and to advocate for international action. I will not stop until the persecution stops and Falun Gong practitioners are free to practise their beliefs, based on the principles of “truthfulness, compassion and forbearance,” in peace and without fear.

“I seek the same freedom for people of all faiths and beliefs throughout China.

“As many of you know, I have been particularly involved in advocacy work on the issue of forced organ harvesting, and had the privilege of playing a part in helping to initiate the China Tribunal, chaired by Sir Geoffrey Nice KC, which in 2019 concluded unanimously and ‘sure beyond reasonable doubt’ that forced organ harvesting from prisoners of conscience had been carried out for years throughout China on a significant scale, with Falun Gong practitioners being one of the principal groups targeted, and that this amounts to a crime against humanity.

“I am also deeply concerned about increasing transnational repression, affecting all communities, including Hong Kongers, Uyghurs, Tibetans, Chinese dissidents, Taiwanese, and Falun Gong practitioners. I myself have also experienced some of the CCP’s harassment and threats.

“No one in Britain – a free and democratic society – should ever be intimidated or silenced by a foreign power extending its long arm of repression onto our streets. We must make sure our government does everything possible to protect all communities, to hold the perpetrators to account, and to stop transnational repression in its tracks and defend and secure our freedoms.

“I have spent almost all my adult life – more than 30 years, since I was a student – advocating for human rights. I believe in all human rights and fundamental freedoms, particularly freedom of religion or belief and freedom of expression, as set out in Article 18 and Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights respectively. These are basic human rights that should be protected, defended and promoted for everyone, everywhere, no exceptions. I have lived my life for these values, defended them for people all over the world, and I will continue to do so. I will not stop speaking out for freedom of religion or belief, freedom of expression and other fundamental human rights for all – and especially for all the people of China.

“I stand with you today, I applaud your courage and persistence, and I believe that the day will come when Falun Gong practitioners, as well as Christians, Buddhists, Muslims, and people of all religions and beliefs, will be able to practise their beliefs in freedom and peace throughout China. We must continue to work for that day to come soon.”

“Freedom Is a Fundamental London Value”

Benali Hamdache, Member of the London Assembly (Official website)

Mr. Benali Hamdache, Member of the London Assembly, wrote, “Freedom is a fundamental London value. We’re an inclusive and international city. That’s why we must have an absolute intolerance for any nation state targeting its own citizens and diaspora here in our city.

“I’d urge the Metropolitan Police to take seriously threats and attacks, and to ensure targeted persons receive adequate support.

“London must be a safe harbour.”