(Minghui.org) July 2025 marks the 26th anniversary since the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) began the suppression of Falun Gong in 1999. Thirty-eight Swiss federal and cantonal legislators sent videos and 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, including Geneva, Vaud, Neuchâtel, Fribourg, Valais, Jura in the Romandy region of Switzerland, as well as Ticino in the Italian-speaking region.
The Persecution of Falun Gong is Unacceptable
Daniel Sormanni, a member of the National Council from Geneva, said in his video of support, “Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance are of vital importance. Twenty-six years of persecution is enough! I call on the Chinese government, the Chinese communist regime, to stop suppressing free people and those who believe in Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance. Continuing this repression in China is completely unacceptable. This repression is too harsh and has even extended abroad, including to Switzerland and elsewhere.”
Falun Gong Practitioners are Defending the Values We Should Promote
In his video of support, National Council member Nicolas Walder said, “The [CCP] has brutally persecuted Falun Gong practitioners for 26 years and has never stopped. They [Falun Gong practitioners] defend their own values, the values of kindness and tolerance, which are universal values and the values we should promote.
“I call on the Chinese Communist Party and the Beijing authorities to stop the repression. This cross-border repression of Falun Gong practitioners in Switzerland and other parts of the world is completely unacceptable and must stop. We must return to these universal values of respect for every individual.”
Defending the Basic Rights of Falun Gong Practitioners
Delphine Klopfenstein, another member of the Swiss National Council from Geneva, said in her video message, “We are facing persecution, discrimination, and torture. However, I choose to defend the basic rights of citizens, including the basic rights of Falun Gong practitioners. Freedom of belief is very important. Freedom of conscience is a universal right.”
Falun Gong Practitioners Should be Able to Continue Practicing Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance
In her video message Laurence Fehlamn-Rielle, a member of the Swiss National Council from Geneva, said, “I stand in solidarity with Falun Gong practitioners who have suffered discrimination and persecution in China for 26 years. This persecution is sometimes reflected in our own country, because we know that these people, all those who suffer persecution in their own countries, deserve protection and must be able to continue practicing Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance. I just still don't understand why they suffer so much persecution.”
We Support Falun Gong Practitioners and ask Them to Continue Opposing the Persecution
Vincent Maitre, a member of the National Council, said in his video, “I want to assure all Falun Gong practitioners who have suffered unjust detention, arbitrary detention, and abuse: First, I express my deepest solidarity and support, and sincerely convey the most positive message to them. Second, I encourage them to muster up the courage to continue working for this just but difficult cause.”
Supporting Falun Gong Practitioners is My Responsibility
Christian Dandrès, a member of the Swiss National Council from Geneva, said in his video, “For 26 years, the Chinese [Communist Party] regime has continuously suppressed you practitioners, ignoring your dignity and basic rights. You have been persecuted for your beliefs.
“I am not affiliated with any religious or spiritual movement, but I feel it is my responsibility to support you and all those who are being persecuted in China.”
Respecting Human Rights and Religious Freedom
Leonore Porchet, a member of the Swiss National Council from Vaud, wrote in her letter of support, “I would like to express my support and solidarity with Falun Gong practitioners, who are still suffering from brutal persecution by the Chinese government. I urge the Chinese government to respect human rights and religious freedom, and I ask the Swiss government to commit to ensuring that the Chinese government respects these basic rights of its citizens.”
Fully Supporting Falun Gong Practitioners’ Just and Non-violent Resistance to the Persecution
Yvan Pahud, a member of the National Council for canton Vaud, said in a letter of support, “For 26 years, men and women in China and around the world have peacefully stood up to defend a fundamental right: the right of every person to freedom of belief, to practice their faith, and to live according to the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance. Their approach to resisting the persecution is nonviolent and their cause is just. I fully support them.”
Responsibility to Demand an End to the Persecution
Philippe Nantermod, a member of the Swiss National Council from Valais, said, “Respect for human dignity, freedom of belief, and the right to live without fear and persecution is at the core of our most fundamental values. These innate rights transcend human geography.”
In his letter of support, he wrote, “China’s persecution of Falun Gong demonstrates a particularly serious form of abuse of power: when a regime deems it legitimate to suppress, detain, or even eliminate those who think, believe, or pray differently from it. It can detain, torture, and forcibly harvest their organs.
“We cannot resist totalitarianism with silence, nor can we confront barbarity with indifference. We have a responsibility to demand that no one be imprisoned or executed for their spiritual beliefs.”
Twenty-nine Cantonal and City Council Members Called to End the CCP’s Suppression
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, 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 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.”
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
"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.
“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.
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!”
“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, 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.”