Government Voices of Support from Around the World

This summer, Falun Gong (Falun Dafa) communities around the world gathered to mark 27 years since the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) launched its campaign against the peaceful practice on July 20, 1999. From Washington to Geneva to Brisbane, the commemorations were met with an outpouring of support from elected officials and lawmakers who spoke up for freedom of belief and called for an end to the persecution.

North America

United States

Annual D.C. rally calling for ending the persecution

At the July 23, 2026 rally in front of the Lincoln Memorial — which drew close to two thousand practitioners from across North America — Rep. Pat Ryan, who represents New York’s 18th District, addressed the crowd in person. He told practitioners that their steadfast commitment to Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance is a source of inspiration, and that the CCP’s crimes against humanity will be held to account. He noted that many residents of his own district still live in fear, with family members in China imprisoned or unable to practice their faith freely. Ryan pointed to his work co-sponsoring the bipartisan Falun Gong Protection Act, noting the House passed H.R.1540 in 2025.

As long as we hold fast to the belief in Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance and keep moving forward, we will ultimately succeed. — Pat Ryan

Kurt Werthmuller, Supervisory Policy Analyst at the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), addressed the crowd at the rally. He said the CCP’s inhumane treatment of Falun Gong practitioners and its serious rights abuses have been widely documented, and that these findings call on the United States, together with its international allies and partners, to take a firm stance and hold the perpetrators accountable.

Year after year, USCIRF has unwaveringly condemned the Chinese government’s horrific abuse of Falun Gong practitioners. — Kurt Werthmuller

A bill to sanction those behind forced organ harvesting

In the run-up to July 20, additional senators added their names to Senate Bill S.4009, the Falun Gong and Victims of Forced Organ Harvesting Protection Act. The bill was introduced by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) on March 5, 2026, and co-sponsored by Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR). Newly added co-signers included Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI), Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD). The legislation would authorize the U.S. government to identify and sanction those involved in forced organ harvesting in China, including asset freezes, transaction bans, and denial of entry to the United States.

Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC)

Marking the 27th anniversary this July, the CECC called the persecution one of the CCP’s most egregious atrocities — spanning torture, forced organ harvesting, and transnational repression — noting those responsible have escaped accountability while many practitioners remain imprisoned.

It has been 27 years since the Chinese government launched its persecution of Falun Gong. The systematic persecution of this peaceful faith community is one of the CCP’s most egregious atrocities—from torture to forced organ harvesting to transnational repression. Those responsible have escaped accountability, and too many practitioners remain imprisoned. Their freedom—and justice—should be a priority for the U.S. and all freedom-loving countries. — CECC

Rep. Chris Smith

In a statement on July 21, 2026, Smith—CECC Co-Chair, who authored the first U.S. resolution condemning the persecution in 1999—called it an ongoing crime and urged the release of detained practitioners and sanctions on responsible CCP officials.

The persecution of the Falun Gong is not a closed chapter of history. It is an ongoing crime. — Chris Smith

Ahead of a rally, march, and candlelight vigil at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. on July 23, 2026, a bipartisan group of U.S. Senators and Representatives, including some mentioned above, sent videos and letters voicing support for Falun Gong, condemning the CCP’s persecution, and calling for the perpetrators to be held accountable.

Sen. Rick Scott

In a video message, Sen. Rick Scott marked the anniversary by recalling the CCP’s abuses and pointing to his reintroduction of the Falun Gong Protection Act, which would impose sanctions on those complicit in forced organ harvesting.

As we mark the 27th anniversary of the peaceful Falun Gong protest, we’re reminded of the CCP’s brutal persecution, child slavery, forced organ harvesting, and ongoing human rights abuses. That’s why I reintroduced the Falun Gong Protection Act to impose sanctions on individuals responsible for or complicit with forced organ harvesting, especially those targeting Falun Gong practitioners. — Rick Scott

Rep. Gus M. Bilirakis

Rep. Bilirakis, Co-Chair of the International Religious Freedom Caucus, wrote a lengthy letter describing religious liberty as a universal human right rather than a privilege granted by governments. He voiced alarm about transnational repression reaching onto American soil and offered a message of solidarity to practitioners and their families.

To the Falun Gong practitioners, their families, and all victims of religious persecution: know that you are not forgotten. Your courage in the face of extraordinary hardship is an inspiration to people across the globe. Your peaceful commitment to truth, compassion, and perseverance serves as a powerful reminder that tyranny can never extinguish the human spirit. — Gus M. Bilirakis

Rep. Joe Wilson

Rep. Joe Wilson expressed support for practitioners’ efforts to end the CCP’s 27-year-long persecution.

The Chinese Communist Party is terrified of freedom, and their violence against the Falun Gong will not be tolerated. — Joe Wilson

Rep. Emanuel Cleaver

Rep. Cleaver framed the persecution as a denial of a fundamental human right and urged people not to look away from suffering happening far from home.

To stand up for humanity requires standing against persecution. — Emanuel Cleaver

Rep. Jack Bergman

Rep. Bergman reflected on the 27 years since the campaign began and voiced hope that practitioners would one day live out their faith without fear, pledging to keep speaking out as a member of Congress.

Rep. Thomas P. Tiffany

I join you today in calling for an end to human rights abuses and repression in China. — Thomas Tiffany

Europe

Switzerland

124 lawmakers co-sign a joint declaration

In one of the largest shows of parliamentary support this year, 124 lawmakers from the Swiss cantons of Geneva, Vaud, Fribourg, Neuchâtel, Valais, Jura, and Ticino jointly signed an Inter-Parliamentary Declaration on Transnational Repression Against Falun Gong Practitioners. The declaration condemns the CCP’s 27-year persecution and its transnational repression, and calls on the Swiss federal government to protect practitioners living in Switzerland.

We, the undersigned parliamentarians, strongly condemn the cruel and violent repression of Falun Gong by the Chinese regime. — Inter-Parliamentary Declaration, Switzerland

Officials send letters and video messages at Lake Geneva

At a rally held on July 16, 2026, on the shores of Lake Geneva—in front of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights—18 elected officials from the federal parliament and local councils sent videos and letters of support.

Elected officials who sent letters or video messages to support practitioners (Minghui.org)
First row: Members of the Swiss Federal Parliament (Council of States) Mr. Mauro Poggia and Mr. Carlo Sommaruga, Members of the Swiss Federal Parliament (National Council) Mr. Daniel Sormanni, Mr. Philippe Nantermod, Ms. Delphine Klopfenstein, Mr. Rudi Berli, and Mr. Christian Dandrès
Second row: Mr. Christian Flury, Member of the Grand Council of the Canton of Geneva; Ms. Masha Alimi, Member of the Grand Council of the Canton of Geneva; Mr. Blaise Fivaz, Member of the Grand Council of the Canton of Neuchâtel; Mr. Blaise Courvoisier, Member of the Grand Council of the Canton of Neuchâtel; Mr. Daniel Berger, Member of the Grand Council of the Canton of Neuchâtel; Mr. Richard Gigon, Member of the Grand Council of the Canton of Neuchâtel; and Mr. Nicolas Girard, Member of the Grand Council of the Canton of Jura
Third row: Mr. Hubert Dafflon, Member of the Grand Council of the Canton of Fribourg; Mr. Omar Balli, Member of the Grand Council of the Canton of Ticino; Ms. Fabienne Beaud, Member of the Geneva City Council; and Mr. Pascal Altenbach, Member of the Geneva City Council

On the occasion of this 27th anniversary of the start of the persecution in China, I wish to express my thoughts to all the victims—past, present, and, unfortunately, future—of this repression, and in particular to Falun Gong practitioners, who are clearly the targets of a bloody crackdown by the regime. It is time to become aware of what is happening and to rise up at every level, especially the political level. — Mauro Poggia, Member of the Swiss Council of States (Senator) for the Canton of Geneva

It is important to reiterate that it is intolerable for any power (in this case, China) to target individuals for expressing their spirituality or exercising their fundamental right to a spiritual life. I also believe it is unacceptable for foreign powers—whether Chinese or otherwise—to exert pressure or carry out repression on Swiss soil against individuals, whether Chinese nationals or not, who practice this faith. — Carlo Sommaruga, Member of the Swiss Council of States (Senator) for the Canton of Geneva

On this 27th anniversary, we call upon the Chinese authorities to immediately end this unjust and inhumane repression. We demand respect for the fundamental rights of Falun Gong practitioners, as well as for all those persecuted for their spiritual or religious beliefs. Freedom of belief, human dignity, and respect for human rights are universal values that must be protected worldwide. It is time for the suffering inflicted upon Falun Gong practitioners to cease and for justice to be served. — Nicolas Girard, Member of the Grand Council of the Canton of Jura

Germany

Practitioners marked the 27th anniversary with events in Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, and Düsseldorf. In Munich, activities ran two consecutive Saturdays—July 11 and 18, 2026—at Sendlinger Straße and Rotkreuzplatz. In Düsseldorf, capital of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), a July 18 rally in the pedestrian center featured letters from four state officials read aloud to the crowd. In all, more than a dozen officials at federal, state, and municipal level sent messages of support.

At the federal level

Thomas Rachel—Bundestag Member; Federal Government Commissioner for Freedom of Religion and Belief; Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU)
Rachel, who also sits on the Foreign Affairs Committee, wrote on social media that the 27th year of systematic persecution is a reminder that abuses continue despite international appeals.

We urgently need greater transparency and accountability, especially regarding allegations of torture. — Thomas Rachel

Dr. Günter Krings—Deputy Chairman, CDU/Christian Social Union in Bavaria (CSU) Bundestag Parliamentary Group; CDU
Krings, who handles internal affairs and legal policy and chairs the CDU’s NRW group in the Bundestag, sent a letter read aloud at the Düsseldorf rally. He wrote that behind the abstract language of human rights stand individual people with families and hopes, and that no one should stand aside when others are persecuted for their beliefs.

As a Christian and a member of parliament, respect for religious freedom worldwide matters deeply to me. — Dr. Günter Krings

Norbert Altenkamp—CDU/CSU Spokesman for Human Rights, Humanitarian Aid, and Religious Policy; CDU
Altenkamp called religious freedom a yardstick for whether a state honors universal rights. He warned that China’s new ethnic unity law could expose overseas critics to prosecution, urged its repeal, and demanded the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) immediately halt its suppression of the practice.

Dr. Jonas Geissler—Bundestag Member, Committee on Human Rights and Humanitarian Aid; CSU
Geissler wrote that for over a quarter century, rights organizations have documented intimidation, imprisonment, and torture. He called the persecution one of the most distressing examples of state repression against those who refuse to abandon their beliefs, and extended solidarity to victims and their families.

Human dignity is inviolable. — Dr. Jonas Geissler

Ronald Gläser—Bundestag Member; Alternative for Germany (AfD)
Gläser noted he had written to Chinese officials in 2023 demanding the immediate release of detained practitioners, and argued that trade ties with China are no reason for silence when fundamental rights are violated.

Sebastian Maack—Bundestag Member; AfD
Maack said he became aware of the community’s situation while examining illegal organ trafficking. He expressed sympathy for imprisoned and tortured practitioners and their families, and encouraged them not to answer hatred with hatred.

At the state level

Karl-Josef Laumann—NRW Minister for Labor, Health and Social Affairs; CDU
Laumann, whose letter was among those read at the Düsseldorf rally, noted that despite China signing the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, practitioners have been persecuted since July 20, 1999. He criticized German media’s “deafening silence” on prison deaths and torture, and thanked the Foreign Office and Chancellor for raising the issue publicly.

Freedom of belief is by no means self-evident. — Karl-Josef Laumann

Oliver Stirböck—Hesse State Parliament; Parliamentary Business Manager, Free Democratic Party (FDP)
Stirböck condemned the imprisonment and torture of peaceful believers and warned that the CCP’s reach extends into Germany through covert police outposts and disinformation. He said Germany is often underprepared, citing continued university cooperation with Confucius Institutes, and argued that those who seek refuge here should be genuinely safe.

Sascha Herr—Hesse State Parliament Member
Herr noted that arbitrary arrest, “re-education,” and torture have been documented by international organizations, parliaments, and rights bodies. Citing Germany’s own history, he said the country bears a special responsibility to insist on the universality of human rights.

I pay my highest respects to all Falun Gong practitioners. — Sascha Herr

René Domke—FDP Chairman for Mecklenburg-Vorpommern; Deputy Mayor and Senator of Wismar
Domke argued that condemning abuses is no longer sufficient and that those responsible must be held legally accountable. He urged that human rights be raised consistently in dialogue with Chinese representatives.

Freedom is not negotiable. — René Domke

At the municipal level

Rocco Wilken—Mayor of Vlotho, NRW; Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD)
Wilken, another of the four whose letters were read in Düsseldorf, centered his message on Zhao Meiling, 64, now living in Dortmund, who endured 16 years of persecution before escaping to Germany in 2015. He cited at least 5,350 documented deaths from torture and abuse, with the true figure possibly 10,000 or higher.

We grow accustomed to terrible things we should never grow accustomed to. — Rocco Wilken

Nicole Wilms—Mönchengladbach City Council; SPD
Wilms, who chairs the council’s committee on social affairs, health, and equality, praised practitioners’ persistence over many years—from silent vigils to a successful petition to the Bundestag. She said civil society and politicians must speak up when fundamental rights are violated.

Oceania

Australia

Queensland Senator Malcolm Roberts

On July 18, 2026, Falun Gong practitioners hold the march and rally in central BrisbaneSen, calling for the end to the persecution against Falun Gong in China. Roberts wrote a letter describing himself as a steadfast supporter of the cause and calling on the CCP to cease its campaign and free those imprisoned for their beliefs.

This persecution is a tragedy that spans both inside and outside the borders of the People’s Republic of China, affecting innocent lives and violating fundamental human rights globally. — Malcolm Roberts

David Paton—Member, South Australian Parliament

Paton spoke at a July 17, 2026 rally outside Parliament House in Adelaide. He said there is nothing objectionable about a belief in Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, and argued these fully reflect Australian values.

If what you do benefits you, makes your life better, and harms no one, it should never be suppressed. — David Paton

New Zealand

Helen White—Member of Parliament, New Zealand Labour Party

White attended the July 21, 2026 rally and march in central Wellington and outside Parliament. She said she has long followed human rights in China through her work with the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC), and cited the independent tribunal of senior British legal experts that found the organ harvesting allegations well-evidenced. She warned that China’s new ethnic unity law could reach Chinese New Zealanders simply for attending a peaceful rally, called for a cross-party response, and likened 27 years of peaceful resistance to Gandhi’s movement.

Asia

Taiwan

Practitioners marked the 27th anniversary across seven cities and counties: Pingtung (July 12), Tainan (July 17), Taichung, Chiayi and Kaohsiung (July 18), Yunlin (July 19), and finally Taipei (July 25), where about 1,200 people marched and held a candlelight vigil at City Hall Civic Plaza. Elected representatives attended throughout, with several pledging legislative action against the CCP’s transnational repression.

Taipei—July 25 candlelight vigil at City Hall Plaza

On the evening of July 25, 2026, practitioners from northern Taiwan gathered at Taipei City Hall Civic Plaza, lighting hundreds of candles in memory of those in China who died from the persecution. Speakers from politics, medicine, law, and academia condemned the abuses and called for anti-transnational-repression legislation. Taipei City Councillors Hung Chien-yi (洪健益) and Chang Wen-chieh (張文潔) attended the rally and gave their speeches.

Let us work together, and let the sunlight illuminate the darkness. — Hung Chien-yi

Wherever we are, we should do what we can to spread the truth. — Chang Wen-chieh

Other cities and counties

Liu Chien-kuo (劉建國)—Yunlin county legislator
At the Yunlin press conference and vigil in Huwei, Liu expressed deep respect for 27 years of peaceful, rational resistance, saying practitioners’ persistence in telling the truth—including screenings of the documentary State Organs—is what allowed the international community to see the persecution clearly.

Wang Li-jen (王立任)—Taichung City Councillor
In a video message to the July 18 Taichung gathering, Wang called forced organ harvesting inhumane and urged Taiwan to amend its laws swiftly to prohibit it with heavier penalties. He described China’s new ethnic unity law as a warning sign for Taiwan and called on the Legislative Yuan to advance an Anti-Transnational Repression Act.

Chou Yung-hung (周永鴻)—Taichung City Council
In a pre-recorded message, Chou noted the practice is not a political group but a cultivation practice promoting health and the values of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance — legal everywhere except China.

Forced organ harvesting is a crime against humanity, thousands of times graver than ordinary murder. — Chou Yung-hung

Hsieh Chih-chung (謝志忠)—Taichung City Councillor
Hsieh said he never misses the annual event when his schedule allows, and argued Taiwan should unite its peaceful, anti-violence, and human rights forces.

If the CCP conducts transnational repression, then all freedom-loving countries should offer transnational support. — Hsieh Chih-chung

Liu Shih-chou (劉士州)—Taichung City Councillor
Liu condemned organ harvesting outright and criticized Taiwanese medical personnel who have taken part in related activity in China. He said legislating to stop it matters beyond one group.

This is not only protecting Falun Gong — it is protecting everyone. — Liu Shih-chou

Li Tien-sheng (李天生)—Taichung City Councillor
Li said he has backed practitioners for years and called for local council motions and legislation to safeguard Taiwan’s democracy, pledging to lead a proposal himself and recruit other representatives to co-sign.

Huang Shou-ta (黃守達)—Taichung City Councillor
Huang said 27 years of peaceful resistance has drawn international attention and exposed the nature of CCP rule. Alongside stronger legal frameworks, he stressed the role of civil society.

The experience of resisting this persecution is an important resource for Taiwan’s democratic defense. — Huang Shou-ta

Chang Po-yang (張博洋)—Kaohsiung City Councillor
Chang called 27 years of resistance the utmost display of courage and perseverance, and said confronting CCP hegemony is not only practitioners’ responsibility but every Taiwanese citizen’s — because it also defends Taiwan’s hard-won democracy.

Liao Tzu-yu (廖梓佑)—Nantou County Councillor
Liao praised practitioners’ firm belief and perseverance in acting peacefully and rationally, and said wider awareness of organ harvesting strengthens public resistance to unlawful cross-border repression.

Also attending: Yunlin county councillors Chiang Wen-teng (江文登), Lin Wen-pin (林文彬), Yen Chung-yi (顏忠義), Tsai Ming-shui (蔡明水); Yuanchang Township Chief Li Ming-ming (李明明); Kaohsiung councillor Chang Han-chung (張漢忠), Chang Po-Yang; Chiayi councillors Fu Ta-wei (傅大偉), Chen Chia-ping (陳家平), Wang Hao (王浩); Tainan councillors Chu Cheng-hsuan (朱正軒), Tsai Hsiao-wei (蔡筱薇), Shen Chen-tung (沈震東); Pingtung County Councilors Hong Ming-Chiang, Lee Shih-pin.

Note: This article refers to the content, including photos from Minghui and Epoch Times.