The Czech Minister for Human Rights and National Minorities, Mrs. Dzamila Stehlikova, sent a statement to support the peaceful 24 hour gathering of Falun Gong practitioners in front of the Chinese embassy in Prague, which they held from 7th to 8th August, on the eve of the Olympic Games in Beijing.

Xu Na, a Falun Gong practitioner from Beijing and a quite reputable painter, was persecuted by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) under the guise of the “Beijing Olympic Games”. Her husband Yu Zhou, a musician in the famous folk band “Xiaojuan & Co - Residents in the Valley”, was persecuted to death on February 6th, 2008, only eleven days after he and Xu Na were illegally arrested on their way home from a music concert.

A total of 34 UK MPs, Lords, and MEPs have signed a petition calling for the freedom of Wenjian Liang, who together with her husband Zhiyong Lin, have been sent to labour camps in Guangzhou in March 2007 for “illegal gathering” with six other Falun Gong adherents in her own home. Among the parliamentarians signing the petition are the Rt. Hon. Charles Kennedy MP, who was the former leader of the Liberal Democratic Party and the Rt. Hon. Lord Steel, who was the first Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament and a former leader of the Liberal Party.

This statement by David Marshall, Member of Parliament for Glasgow East, was read at a press conference opposite the Chinese Embassy in London on Saturday April 28th 2007. The press conference was the start of a day of activities to commemorate April 25th 1999 when Falun Gong practitioners in China appealed to the government to release fellow practitioners who were wrongfully imprisoned. This appeal was used by members of the Chinese Communist Party as an excuse to publicly launch the persecution against Falun Gong, which had previously been happening clandestinely.

This statement by UK MP Mark Lancaster was read at a press conference opposite the Chinese Embassy in London on Saturday April 28th 2007. The press conference was the start of a day of activities to commemorate April 25th 1999 when Falun Gong practitioners in China appealed to the government to release fellow practitioners who were wrongfully imprisoned. This appeal was used by members of the Chinese Communist Party as an excuse to publicly launch the persecution against Falun Gong, which had previously been happening clandestinely.

Falun Gong practitioner Ma Jian, general manager of a French PCM Pump Company for China and the north Asian region, was arrested in his Beijing office by Chinese police in February. On March 23rd, Mr. Jacques Pelissard, MP for the Province of Jura, Mayor of Lons le Saunier and Chairman of the French Mayor’s Association that represents over thirty five thousand and five hundred Mayors across France, wrote a letter to the French Foreign Minister.

During meetings, a few Mayors verbally expressed their support. The deputy mayor of Poprad, Mr. Gustav Dobak stated, that it is strange that the world has condemned fascism, but communism, which lead to at least as many victims as fascism, hasn't been publicly condemned. During a meeting with the Mayor of Kezmarok, a middle-sized tourist city in eastern Slovakia, Mr. Ingor Satlava, expressed his support by signing the petition. He also asked the representatives of the local media to help us by informing the public and support thus the human rights in the world.

"... evidence coherently exposes the extremely severe human rights violations in China. I recently have been informed about an especially appalling thing happening at some detention centres ... it is said that they harvest organs from living persons who are not willing to donate their organs and then cremate their remains. I want to know if the departments of the French government have obtained related information about the situation stated above ..."

"I am writing to support the call of the British Transplantation Society Ethics Committee for an international investigation into organ harvesting in China. Like many, I have been shocked by stories coming out of China of organ matching and transplant, without consent, from condemned prisoners. The abuses appear particularly to centre on members of the persecuted Falun Gong sect. This has been widely documented by Amnesty International and many journalists working in China."

The Mayor's speech praised China's traditional culture, respected the moral values of "truthfulness, compassion, forbearance" advocated by Falun Gong, and condemned the persecution of Falun Gong by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). He also hoped that the photo exhibition would bring the truth to more people. After the speeches, Falun Gong practitioners candidly exchanged views with the Mayor and reporters.

The mayor said, "I know all about Falun Gong. He looked at me, probably not expecting anyone in his city to practise Falun Gong. I showed him some materials about the Chinese Communist Party taking organs from living victims, including Falun Gong practitioners. He looked for a moment and said, "Too terrible, too terrible. These people are too bad; I will read this material carefully." I also told him some experiences of mine; he listened with attention. I finally said that just because of this, I have not seen my daughter for seven years. The Mayor's wife said: "This is one of the most intolerable things. Thank you for telling us your story."

Belgian MPs Jan Peumans and Jan Loones published an open letter demanding an investigation into the harvest of organs in Chinese concentration camps, their sale fro transplant operations, and the subsequent cremation of bodies. The letter demanded that European governments take immediate action, utilising all possible avenues to stop this new round of genocide from happening in mainland China.

Recently, Falun Gong practitioners have been writing to the MP of the Esson area and the Mayor of Yerres city, Mr. Nicolas Dupont-Aignan, to tell them about the CCP's savage persecution of Falun Gong practitioners. Subsequently, Mr. Dupont-Aignan wrote a letter to the French Minister for Foreign Affairs, appealing to the French authorities to take immediate action to stop these crimes. Both letters are reproduced here.

"The Chinese government is now brutally violating human rights. According to reports on the internet, the Vice-Minister of the Public Security, Liu Jin, said: “Eliminate Falun Gong before the Olympic Games in 2008.” According to the reports, the Chinese regime systematically killed Falun Gong practitioners in the secret Sujiatun concentration camp, and no one ever left the facility alive. Some Falun Gong practitioners were murdered and their organs were removed. Even some live practitioners’ organs were taken out because it is more valuable than from dead bodies."

Mr. Bernard Piras, a member of the French parliament, wrote a letter to the French Foreign Minister on 1st March 2006 regarding the inhumane torture and persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China. French Member of Parliament Mr. Bernard Piras urged the French Foreign Minister to pay attention to human rights violations happening in China, in particular the cruel practice of organ removal from living people, which violates basic human rights.

A resolution was passed by the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly on January 25th 2006. The chairman of the Christian Democrats, the chairman of the political division of general affairs committee in the Council of Europe and a Belgian parliamentarian Mr. Luc Van den Grande underlined the significance of this resolution but concluded, "To pass this resolution is just a beginning."

"We have known the fact that the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners began in 1999. In order to suppress this cultivation way and its practitioners, the Chinese Communist Party has been changing its methods of persecution continuously, such as excruciating torture, sending them into exile, forcing them to do heavy work and spreading propaganda of hatred aimed at Falun Gong. We can not accept the action of violating human rights..."

On October 31st, 2005, representatives of the Czech Falun Dafa Association visited Mr Edward Outrata, Vice President of the Czech Senate, regarding the ongoing persecution of Falun Gong. Mr Outrata had previously made the point that the world’s moral pressure on the Chinese government is very important. He also believes this kind of pressure is advantageous to the improvement of China’s human rights situation.

Jiang Renzheng, his wife and two small children were deported to Beijing from Würzburg (Germany) in March 2005. Following his deportation, Jiang Renzheng was sentenced to three years of forced labour and is now being detained in a labour camp in the city of Benxi because of his Falun Gong practice and the attendant accusation of “endangering public security.” His wife was forced into hiding because of her imminent arrest.

His letter stated that one of his constituents recently told him that Annie was arrested by officers from Shuangyushu Paichusuo on 1st March 2005 on suspicion of being a Falun Gong practitioner. China is the only country in the world where practising Falun Gong, a practice of peaceful exercises and meditation that asks practitioners to live by the principles of truthfulness, compassion and tolerance, is illegal. In other countries, Falun Gong has received proclamations and awards from governments for its role in improving practitioners’ health and morality.

Saturday the 26th of February began as a nice, sunny day so practitioners of Falun Gong took advantage of the good weather to visit Pezinok city. They called for public attention to the persecution against Falun Gong, which has continued for almost six years. Documented evidence details the killing of 1,379 practitioners, although Chinese Government estimates put the unofficial figure close to 10,000.

MP Ms. Anne Campbell said in her letter, "Those of us who believe in the freedom of speech and expression must sympathize with the Falun Gong practitioners, who are persecuted throughout China. The UN report which draws attention to the torture of Falun Gong practitioners is deeply shocking and I would urge everyone to write a letter of protest to the Chinese authorities about their treatment of Falun Gong."

In the five years of persecution that people who practise Falun Gong have suffered, voices of support have echoed all over the world and many officials, government representatives and non-governmental organizations have publicly stated their opposition to the human rights abuses against Falun Gong in China, that are being instigated by former Chinese leader Jiang Zemin.

Practitioners of Falun Gong recently wrote Mayors of many cities in Slovakia, explaining to them the reasons behind the persecution of Falun Gong in China, the number of victims of this persecution and cruel methods they use to torture practitioners of Falun Gong in China. Many mayors and people in local administrations reacted by signing our petition against persecution of Falun Gong in China.

"Amongst my favourite possessions is a book of “Chinese Proverbs” which I often quote to colleagues and audiences. The plight of the two young students reminds me of the proverb:- Confucius, Spring and Autumn Period: “Do not worry if others do not understand you, worry if you do not understand them” I would be very appreciative if you could use your influence, to have what ever restraints prevent these students returning to Ireland lifted."

Falun Dafa practitioners in Slovakia sent petition letters to Mayors of villages in the country asking for their support in calling for an end to the persecution of innocent people who practise Falun Gong in China. Mayors of four villages in Slovakia responded to the letter and signed the petition demanding an immediate end to the persecution and severe torture of practitioners of Falun Gong in China.

"Thank you for sending me the articles regarding the persecution of Falun Gong. Please rest assured, I support the complaint against this cultural suppression. Sir, I hope you can use all your courage and carry on making great efforts. Please accept my best wishes."

"I hereby offer my support in your fight for the respect of human rights in China. I also express my support for women and men who take action worldwide in favour of human rights. Those who practise discrimination, suppression, imprisonment, physical torture and psychological torture, those who aim at the elimination of women and men because they belong to a particular philosophical, political or religious trend, must meet with wholehearted disapproval and condemnation."

"Torture is unacceptable and total prohibition against all inhuman treatment that undermines the dignity of the individual must be promoted in the most forceful manner possible. Torture is one of the most shameful attacks against human rights."

"I received your letter, from which I was informed that there are hundreds of thousands of Falun Gong practitioners being seriously persecuted in China, and their basic human rights are being violated. The Alcudia City Government, which is led by me, would like to make the following statement: we are completely against this serious violation of human rights and we condemn it."

"I carefully read your letter introducing the information about the Spanish Falun Dafa Association and the terrible situation that Falun Gong practitioners face under persecution in China...I will take every possible opportunity to raise your issue to the relevant people in Spain and abroad, and to appeal for the end of this persecution against Falun Gong practitioners in China."

"From this story, I can tell that some French Government officials' orders to "ban yellow scarves" and arrest Falun Dafa practitioners during Hu Jintao's visit does not represent the attitude of all French Government officials or the French people. As a French citizen, I feel ashamed. Why have the policemen from the free land of France arrested their own citizens and followed the Chinese regime’s threats and pressure to arrest Falun Gong practitioners without any justification?"

On the 9th of February, Fingal County Council passed a resolution condemning China’s persecution of Falun Gong and strongly arguing that the Chinese Government release the two Chinese students Liu Feng and Yang Fang and help them return to Ireland to continue their studies. At the same time, two other councils passed similar resolutions.

'On the 9th of February 2004, Fingal County Council passed a resolution condemning China’s persecution of Falun Gong and strongly arguing that the Chinese Government release the two Chinese students Liu Feng and Yang Fang and help them return Ireland to continue their studies. At the same time, two other councils, the South Dublin Council and the Dun Laoghaire Council, have also passed similar resolutions.'

“This County Council calls on the Government to use its position as Chair of the EU - China Human Rights Dialogue taking place in Dublin this month, to demand that the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China is ended and all prisoners immediately released. In particular that pressure would be put on to secure the return of Dun Laoghaire students, Liu Feng and Yang Fang, to complete their studies in Ireland and that this motion would be brought to the attention of the Minister.”

'On Monday February the 9th, councillors representing Fingal County Council and Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council will vote whether to accept a motion to condemn the persecution of Falun Dafa Practitioners in China. The motion urges the Minister for Foreign Affairs Brian Cowen to demand that Dun Laoghaire students Liu Feng and Yang Fang are permitted to return to Ireland to continue their studies during the Human-Rights Dialogue with China held in Dublin on the 26th and 27th of February.'

"Whereas, Falun Dafa started in china in 1992, and its activities of exercises and practices are based on the universal quality of Zhen-Shan-Ren, which means truth-compassion-forbearance; and, Whereas, Falun Dafa is designed to improve their physical condition, cleanse their mind, uplift their moral standards. Now, therefore, I, mayor of Ballylinan and district county Laois Ireland, do hereby declare November 9th 2003 as Falun Dafa day."

On July 12th, a UK mayor signed a petition, which was sent to him by practitioners, in support of Falun Gong practitioners’ lawsuit against Chinese dictator Jiang Zemin.

"For a number of years I have supported the campaign by Falun Gong practitioners in the UK to raise awareness of the human rights violations carried out by the Chinese government against Falun Gong practitioners in China. As my constituency contains the largest Chinese community in London, this is an issue very close to my heart."

"Thank you very much for your letter regarding the Communist Leader, Jiang Zemin. Like you, I share many of your concerns about human rights abuses which have gone on in China. They have been perpetrated on a significant number of the population and have been perpetrated for many years. I am extremely pleased to be able to support your campaign to bring this individual to justice and I hope that one day we can all live in a fairer and more accountable world."

"Thank you for letting me know about the persecution against Falun Dafa practitioners in China. I have noted your concerns. Please trust me that I will pay full attention to this human rights issue. My support team working in the Parliament, along with myself, will provide assistance to you at any time."

A German practitioner wrote to a Mayoress, who swiftly penned a reply encouraging practitioners “To have formidable courage, firm belief and brave hearts to advance the efforts of all those people who are working tirelessly to end the repression of Falun Gong in China.”

After talking with the practitioners, the Chairman of the City Committee wrote a letter to the Mayor of Wuhan City, telling him about Lin’s arrest. He voiced his sympathy and concern for Lin who might easily be suffering from torture and ill-treatment. In his letter, he also mentioned how worried Lin’s friends are about her detention, and that he would try every possible means to help her return to Dusseldorf as soon as possible.

In the afternoon, around one hundred Falun Dafa practitioners celebrated the 1st anniversary of “Falun Dafa Day” in front of the city hall and demonstrated the exercises. The officials from the city hall and a representative of the French Green Party also joined the celebrations.

"I paid close attention and fully understand the document, which is about the Falun Gong practitioners who are victims and are being persecuted in the People’s Republic of China...Thank you for bringing this matter to my attention. I salute you for your efforts to respect human rights and safeguard democratic values."

On November 7, 2002, a representative of the Ukraine government issued a certificate of merit to Falun Dafa practitioners who participated in the community expo. He said he understood Falun Dafa and that Dafa deserves the attention of the world's people.

I am convinced that the duty of all people in the world is to fight for spreading of peace, tolerance and freedom.

I and my colleagues on the Assembly are proud to have played some small part in publicising the unacceptable treatment of Falun Gong practitioners who routinely suffer torture and intimidation in China

"The Chinese community in France, very much affected by the atrocities that the members of Falun Gong are victim to, is waiting today for a diplomatic initiative to be made to the Chinese authorities so that they will cease their persecution." [excerpt from one of the letters]