German Officials at Various Levels Voice Support For Falun Gong: We Must Not Remain Indifferent
(Minghui.org) Falun Gong practitioners held events in Berlin, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Dusseldorf, and Munich to mark the 27th anniversary of their peaceful resistance of the persecution. Thirteen German elected officials at various levels sent them letters of support.
Top Row (from left to right): Dr. Jonas Geissler, Member of the German Bundestag, Chair of the Subcommittee on Human Rights and Humanitarian Aid (CSU); Prof. Dr. Günter Krings, Member of the German Bundestag, Deputy Chairman of the CDU/CSU Parliamentary Group (CDU); Thomas Rachel, Member of the German Bundestag, Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Federal Commissioner for Religious Freedom and Belief (CDU); Norbert Altenkamp, Member of the German Bundestag, Spokesperson for Human Rights and Humanitarian Aid of the CDU/CSU Parliamentary Group, and Spokesperson on Religious Policy (CDU); Carsten Körber, Member of the German Bundestag (CDU)
Second Row (from left to right): Ronald Gläser, Member of the German Bundestag (AfD); Sebastian Maack, Member of the German Bundestag (AfD); Oliver Stirböck, Member of the Hesse State Parliament, Parliamentary Party Chair of the Free Democratic Party (FDP); Karl-Josef Laumann, Minister of Labour, Health and Social Affairs of North Rhine–Westphalia, Deputy Federal Chairman of the CDU Parliamentary Group.
Bottom Row (from left to right): René Domke, Chairman of the Free Democratic Party (FDP) in Mecklenburg–Western Pomerania; Rocco Wilken, Mayor of Vlotho, North Rhine–Westphalia (SPD); Sascha Herr, Member of the Hesse State Parliament (Independent); Nicole Wilms, Member of the Mönchengladbach City Council, Chair of the local SPD chapter
In their letters, these officials expressed their concern regarding the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) persecution of Falun Gong practitioners. Some stated that “human dignity is inviolable,” affirming that they “will stand at your side for as long as necessary,” and declaring that “we must not remain indifferent.” They condemned the CCP’s grave human rights violations, asserting that the CCP must immediately cease the suppression and persecution of Falun Gong practitioners—a group engaged in a peaceful meditation movement, and they offered their best wishes for the practitioners.
Deputy Chairman of the CDU/CSU Parliamentary Group: We Must Not Remain Indifferent
Prof. Dr. Günter Krings, Member of the German Bundestag, Deputy Chairman of the CDU/CSU Parliamentary Group (CDU) stated in his letter that the anniversary marking the beginning of the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China reminds us that freedom of belief and personal conviction is still not taken for granted in many parts of the world, and affected individuals and human rights organizations have been reporting serious violations of the rights of people who wish to practice their faith or worldview peacefully.
He wrote, “The personal fates behind these reports are both moving and admonishing. They make clear that behind the often abstract-sounding concepts of human rights stand real people — with families, hopes, and the desire to live in freedom and dignity.
“As a Christian and parliamentarian, the worldwide respect for freedom of religion and belief is especially close to my heart. It is one of the fundamental human rights and an indispensable component of any free and constitutional society. Wherever people are persecuted, intimidated, or deprived of their freedom because of their convictions, we must not remain indifferent.”
Federal Commissioner for Religious Freedom and Belief: Transparency And Accountability Are Urgently Needed
Thomas Rachel, Member of the German Bundestag, Member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Federal Commissioner for Religious Freedom and Belief (CDU) stated in his letter:
“Today marks 27 years of systematic persecution of Falun Gong in China — a reminder of ongoing human rights violations. Despite international calls, the government continues its brutal repression. Transparency and accountability are urgently needed, especially regarding allegations of torture.”
Chair of the Subcommittee on Human Rights and Humanitarian Aid: Human Dignity Is Inviolable
Dr. Jonas Geissler, Member of the German Bundestag, Chair of the Subcommittee on Human Rights and Humanitarian Aid (CSU) stated: “For more than a quarter of a century, affected individuals, human rights organizations, and international observers have reported intimidation, imprisonment, torture, and the most severe violations of freedom of religion and conscience.
“No person may be persecuted because of their faith, their spiritual practice, or their inner conviction. Human dignity is inviolable. This principle applies not only in Germany or Europe, but everywhere in the world. It also applies to people in China. As a Christian Democrat, the freedom of religion and conscience is of particular concern to me. It is a universal human right. A state must not oppress people simply because they meditate peacefully, believe, or wish to live according to their moral convictions.
“Freedom of religion is one of the fundamental human rights. It is universal, indivisible, and must never be subject to negotiation. It protects each individual’s personal freedom of belief and conscience, safeguards the rights of religious minorities, and is a decisive measure of freedom, the rule of law, and humanity.
“As the representative of my parliamentary group on the Committee on Human Rights and Humanitarian Aid of the German Bundestag, I regularly deal with serious human rights violations around the world. The systematic persecution of Falun Gong practitioners, which has continued for many years, is among the most distressing examples of state repression and persecution based on religious and ideological convictions.
“My sincere sympathy and solidarity go out to those affected and to their families.”
Spokesperson for Human Rights and Humanitarian Aid of the CDU/CSU Parliamentary Group: We Stand at Your Side For as Long as Necessary
Norbert Altenkamp, Member of the German Bundestag, Spokesperson for Human Rights and Humanitarian Aid of the CDU/CSU Parliamentary Group, and Spokesperson on Religious Policy (CDU) wrote in his letter: “Religious freedom is a fundamental human right. At the same time, it is a measure of how universal human rights are upheld in a country.
“For more than a quarter of a century, since 1999, the communist leadership has denied members of the peaceful spiritual community Falun Gong the free practice of their discipline. Since then, Falun Gong practitioners have been subjected to attempts at “re-education.” They are persecuted and imprisoned, tortured, and harassed.
“Together, today—as in every year before, and for as long as necessary—we stand at the commemoration day of the persecution of Falun Gong at their side, and at the side of all those who are relentlessly oppressed and deprived of their dignity in China. All religious minorities are affected by these merciless measures: Christians, Buddhist Tibetans, and Muslim Uyghurs.
“With the recently enacted law on “ethnic unity,” minorities can now even be punished simply for exercising their rights, and critics outside China’s borders can also be prosecuted. China is called upon to revoke this law.
“With methods that show contempt for humanity, the Chinese Communist Party acts against all who do not submit to communist ideology and who strive for individual freedom. It targets religious and ethnic minorities, and even people who seek and find freedom of spirit through meditation. Thousands of them have died since 1999 as a result of systematic persecution aimed at eradicating Falun Gong forever.
“Human rights are an essential component of the rules-based international order. We stand for these rights together today on this day of remembrance. China is continually urged to respect and comply with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of the United Nations and the human rights treaties it has signed. The Chinese Communist Party must finally end the suppression and persecution of the peaceful meditation movement Falun Gong.”
Member of the German Bundestag: Our Shared Goal Remains That Persecution and Oppression End
Carsten Körber, Member of the German Bundestag (CDU) stated in his letter: “The reports you describe of repression, arbitrary detentions, torture, and allegations of organ harvesting are profoundly shocking. They stand in blatant contradiction to the universal human rights to which the People’s Republic of China has committed itself under international law. Freedom of religion and belief is a fundamental human right and a central measure of respect for human dignity as a whole.
“For the CDU and CSU, the position is clear: We strongly condemn the systematic persecution of Falun Gong practitioners, as well as the suppression of other religious and ethnic minorities in China. This reflects both our party platform—which places the inviolability of human dignity and the universal validity of human rights at its core—and our political actions in the German Bundestag and at the European level.
“In the coalition agreement, we jointly affirmed that we will clearly identify human rights violations worldwide and confront them. This explicitly includes advocating for religious freedom and supporting instruments such as the European human rights sanctions mechanism.
“We expressly welcome the resolution adopted by the European Parliament in 2024 regarding allegations of forced organ harvesting. It is an important signal that Europe is prepared to draw clear consequences, including sanctions against responsible individuals and institutions.
“... Our shared goal remains that persecution and oppression end and that fundamental freedoms are respected in China.”
Member of the German Bundestag: Wish You Success in Your Work and Your Soul Remains Unblemished and Pure
Sebastian Maack, Member of the German Bundestag (AfD), stated, “I became aware of the fate of the Falun Gong community in connection with illegal organ trafficking. As a meditating Christian, my sympathy is with all those who are persecuted, imprisoned, and victims of torture, as well as with their families. Spirituality and faith are the foundation of every fulfilled life. Whoever wants to take these away from people seeks to destroy them—perhaps in the hope of better enduring their own inner emptiness.
“I wish you strength, courage, and hope to endure this difficult trial. Above all, I wish that you do not respond to the hatred directed at you with hatred. Instead, I hope that your soul remains unblemished and pure.
“No lies and no oppression last forever, even if this is sometimes not yet visible. Hope is on the side of those who are at peace with themselves, who are in spiritual balance. In this sense, I wish you much success in your work and in your fight for justice.”
Member of the German Bundestag: I Support You in Your Peaceful and Steadfast Commitment to Tolerance and Humanity
Ronald Gläser, Member of the German Bundestag (AfD) stated in his letter, “Dear Falun Dafa practitioners, I would like to express my sincere solidarity with you on this day.
“Freedom of religion and conscience are universal human rights. It deeply saddens me that peaceful believers in China have been persecuted, discriminated against, and imprisoned for nearly three decades because of their faith. And we know that the Chinese leadership is capable of far worse, when we think of the student protests of 1989. Every person must have the right to practice their faith freely and without fear.
“In 2023, I personally addressed an open letter to Chinese officials demanding the immediate release of Yuande Ding and his wife Ruimei Ma—the parents of a young man living in Germany—who were arrested solely because of their Falun Dafa practice.
“Germany and China are trading partners. However, this does not oblige us to remain silent when fundamental rights are violated. I support you in your peaceful and steadfast commitment to tolerance and humanity.
“I wish all of you strength, confidence, and that the persecution will soon come to an end.”
German Officials at Various Levels Voice Support For Falun Gong: We Must Not Remain Indifferent
Falun Gong practitioners held events in Berlin, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Dusseldorf, and Munich to mark the 27th anniversary of their peaceful resistance of the persecution. Thirteen German elected officials at various levels sent letters of support.
In their letters, these officials expressed their concern regarding the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) persecution of Falun Gong practitioners. Some stated that “human dignity is inviolable,” affirming that they “will stand by your side for as long as necessary,” and declaring that “we must not remain indifferent.” They condemned the CCP’s grave human rights violations, and said that the CCP must immediately cease the suppression and persecution of Falun Gong practitioners—a group engaged in a peaceful meditation movement, and they offered their best wishes for the practitioners.
Thirteen German elected officials sent practitioners letters of support.
Speaker of the Hesse FDP Parliament: Let Us Fight Together for Human Dignity
Oliver Stirböck is a member of the Free Democratic Party (FDP) in Hesse and the FDP’s Parliamentary Chairman. In his letter of support, he wrote, “We cannot accept the inhumane communist regime in China trampling on human dignity and freedom of religion. We cannot accept that peaceful religious practice is met with imprisonment, deprivation of livelihood, or even torture.
“I admire your courageous struggle against this system, which extends its reach far beyond China. Even here in Germany, the CCP is quite openly attempting to intimidate opposition members with secret police stations. Added to this are more subtle measures such as propaganda and disinformation, also through associations and state institutions here, we in Germany are often not strong enough to defend ourselves,” he continued. “We stand firmly by your side in your fight for freedom and human dignity.
“Freedom of religion must not be a matter of fair-weather politics. For where people are no longer allowed to believe what they believe, where they are no longer allowed to say what they think, and where they are no longer allowed to live according to their beliefs, there all freedom is threatened.
“Therefore, your resistance is more than just the struggle of a single community for its rights. It is a struggle for the universal dignity of humankind. It reminds us that freedom is not a given and that it must be defended wherever authoritarian systems attack it.
“I sincerely thank you for the opportunity to deliver a welcoming address at this event. I wish you continued strength, success, and perseverance in your commitment to religious freedom, human dignity, and liberty. Please be assured: I stand firmly by your side.”
North Rhine-Westphalia Minister and CDU Federal Vice-Chairman: Religious Freedom Is by No Means a Given
Karl-Josef Laumann is the Minister of Labor, Health and Social Affairs of North Rhine-Westphalia. He is also the Federal Vice-Chairman of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) Parliamentary Group.
In his letter of support, Mr. Laumann said the CCP has been suppressing Falun Gong since 1999. “Its [Falun Gong’s] members therefore face persecution and even imprisonment, despite the People’s Republic of China having signed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948). There are numerous reports of torture and death in prisons, of repression in everyday life, of defamation in state-controlled media, of structures and agencies specifically created by the state for this purpose, and much more,” he wrote.
“July 20th serves as a reminder that religious freedom is anything but a given. We have grown accustomed to it thanks to our democratic tradition. It is an expression of a free society that recognizes and actively promotes the added value of tolerance, because this strengthens its own inner power,” the letter concluded.
Chairman of the FDP of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania: Expressing Solidarity with Poetry
René Domke, Chairman of the Free Democratic Party (FDP) in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, expressed his support for Falun Gong practitioners’ efforts to end the persecution in a poem. The translation is as follows:
Another year has passed since the last day of remembrance.
A year in which further injustice occurred,in which further human rights violationsthrough the autocratic regime in ChinaThere are complaints against Falun Gong practitioners.
But it is no longer enough to simply lament these human rights violations,but those responsible must finally be prosecuted.and to hold them accountable for every single tragedy suffered.
Today we commemorate once againthe sad and moving fatesthe persecuted Falun Gong practitioners,which are still not sufficiently noticed,and those who are still far too rarely involved in critical dialogueto be addressed with China's leadership.
The systematic persecution,social isolation,the denigration,the imprisonment,and the psychological andphysical destruction of peopleIt continues.
For me, as a Free DemocratIt's always about the freedom of every single person worldwide,in faith, in conviction,in gender or identity.
Freedom is non-negotiable!
And we must not relent in the fight for this,that every other person also has the right to be free.
On the occasion of this day of remembrance, I would like to reiterateto express my solidarity and supportfor Falun Gong practitionersand all people,who suffer persecution.
We need to continue talking about their fates.We must continue to denounce human rights violations.We must name the unimaginable horror.We owe this to the victims and their families.
No state, no government should have the power,to proclaim the rule of unfreedomand to trample on human rights.
People who might be easy to suppress,because they adhere to the form of a spiritual practice,based on the principlesTruthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance,We must give a voicebecause their voices had long since fallen silent.
We need to strengthen themto rebel and ally with others,who fight for freedom.
I encourage that,These traditional values,which should rather connect and notto exclusion and persecutionto serve, to utilize, and to find further supportersand to work together to combat the worst crimes.
It cannot and will not leave people indifferent whenSince 1999, millions of people have fallen victim to an unimaginable brutalization.up to and including torture andhave been subjected to forced organ removal.
As a representative of the FDP, I firmly support theValues of freedom and justice andI see the persecution of Falun Gong practitionersas what it is:a violation of human rightsand human dignity.
We live in a globalized world andmust never look away or remain silentwhen injustice occurs anywhere in the world.
Together with you, I call upon the international community,the political decision-makers andall peopleto actively advocate for the rights of Falun Gong practitioners andHuman rights violations are constantly being discussed with Chinese partners.to address state representatives.
We will continue working on this,that one day all people,regardless of their beliefs or religion,can live in a worldfreedom and human rightsRespected and protected. Worldwide.
Thank you for your attention and commitment
Hesse State Legislator: Silence Must Never Be the Answer to Injustice
In a letter, Sascha Herr, Member of the Hesse State Parliament in Germany, stated, “Every person must have the right to freely practice their faith, express their beliefs, and live their life without fear of state persecution. This right is universal and must not be restricted by political systems or ideological interests.
“Reports of arbitrary arrests, re-education measures, torture, and other serious human rights violations against Falun Gong practitioners continue to be a cause for great concern. Numerous international organizations, parliaments, and human rights institutions have documented these developments and repeatedly drawn attention to the situation. Particularly worrying are reports of the persecution of Chinese dissidents and religious minorities outside of China. Vigilance is essential wherever people are pressured, intimidated, or monitored because of their origin, beliefs, or faith.
“I express my respect for all Falun Gong practitioners who peacefully stand up for their beliefs despite personal disadvantages and great hardships. I also thank all people worldwide who advocate for human rights, freedom of religion, and the dignity of the individual. Germany, in particular, bears a special responsibility due to its history to defend the universal validity of human rights and to emphasize their observance. Silence must never be the answer to injustice.”
Mayor of Vlotho, North Rhine-Westphalia: The Danger Stems From Becoming Accustomed to Terrible Things We Shouldn’t Have Become Accustomed to
A letter was received from Rocco Wilken (SPD), Mayor of Vlotho, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. “How often do we scroll past a news item that affects us for a brief moment, but it is forgotten again a few seconds later? Every day we receive images and reports of conflict, oppression and injustice from all over the world. Much seems far away. Much seems to affect other people. But that’s precisely what's happening. Therein lies the danger: We become accustomed to the terrible things we never wanted to experience,” he wrote.
“Twenty-seven years ago, on July 20, 1999, the systematic persecution of Falun Gong began in China. It is a peaceful meditation practice based on the values of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance. Millions of people practiced Falun Gong at that time, to find inner peace, personal development, and direction in life. But for many people, what gave them support became the reason for their persecution,” the letter continued.
“At least 5,350 deaths due to torture and ill-treatment have been documented. The actual number is likely 10,000 or even more deaths. Behind every number, there stands a person, with a family with a hopes for their future, but it was taken...
“As mayor of Vlotho, I am convinced: Human dignity does not begin in the big debates in world politics. They begin in everyday life, in the way we treat each other, how we listen to each other and how we interact with people who think, believe, or live as ourselves.
“Today reminds us that freedom and respect are not taken for granted. They thrive on people appreciating them and defending them, every single day. The greatest danger to freedom is not an open attack on it. The greatest danger is, that we stop paying attention to them.”
North Rhine-Westphalia City Councilor: Thank You to Falun Gong Practitioners for the Great Perseverance and Composure
The following is a translation of the letter of support from Nicole Wilms, a member of the Mönchengladbach City Council in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, and the local Chairperson of the Social Democratic Party (SPD):
“On the 27th anniversary of the nationwide persecution of Falun Gong in China, I am pleased to send you my greetings – also on behalf of the SPD Parliamentary Group in the Mönchengladbach City Council.
“Your unwavering and calm advocacy for the rights of Falun Gong practitioners for many years – from silent vigils to a successful petition in the German Bundestag – deserves respect and recognition. Your sustained and unflappable commitment reminds the public that civil liberties are not a given, but must be constantly defended.
“The reports of persecution, imprisonment, and torture of people solely because of their spiritual beliefs are appalling. They demonstrate how crucial it is for civil society and politicians to pay attention and raise their voices when fundamental rights are violated.
“I wish you continued strength and confidence on your path and thank you for your persistent efforts – especially as a resident of Mönchengladbach who truly appreciates your work in my own city.”