International Support for Father of Berlin Resident Sentenced in China Continues

Ding Lebin, a resident of Berlin, human rights advocate, and freelance China researcher, has been campaigning for the release of his father, Ding Yuande, from Chinese prison. Yuande was arrested for his practice of Falun Gong, a spiritual faith espousing the values of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Tolerance, in May 2023 and subsequently sentenced to three years. Lebin’s efforts have sparked an increase in global awareness of the persecution of Falun Gong, and has prompted an EU Resolution to investigate and punish the CCP for the persecution of Falun Gong as well as to free his father. 

Mr. Ding Yuande was detained in China and sentenced to three years in prison on December 15, 2023. Donggang District plainclothes police in Rizhao City, Shandong Province raided his home, handcuffed him and his wife, Ma Ruimei, and ransacked their house. Their son, Ding Lebin, a Berlin resident, called during the raid and heard his mother say, “Bad people came into our house. They handcuffed me and my hands are numb,” before the call ended.

Both Ding Yuande and Ma Ruimei are practitioners of Falun Gong, a peaceful spiritual practice that cultivates the mind and body. The Chinese Communist Party has persecuted Falun Gong since July 20, 1999, leading to widespread detainment, imprisonment, torture, abuse, forced labor, and organ harvesting in the years since.

Near the the day of their arrest, around 70 other practitioners in the area were detained in a crackdown ahead of World Falun Dafa Day on May 13, the anniversary of the Falun Gong’s introduction to the public. Chinese officials responsible for carrying out the persecution have deemed the anniversary and other dates related to Falun Gong as sensitive, often carrying out mass arrests surrounding them.

Ding Yuande was sentenced to three years in prison and fined 15,000 yuan (approximately $2,100) on Dec. 15, 2023. Since March 20, 2024, he is being illegally detained in the Shandong Province Prison in the City Ji’nan of Province Shandong. His wife, Ma Ruimei, was released on bail in late May 2023 but remains under strict surveillance and at risk of re-arrest. Since learning of his parents’ situation, Ding Lebin, who has lived in Germany for over 10 years, has tirelessly sought international support to free them, gaining the attention of human rights organizations and European officials.

Government officials call for Ding Yuande’s release and an end to persecution

Government officials worldwide have condemned the CCP’s persecution of Falun Gong. During the European Union and China’s 39^th joint Human Rights Dialogue, EU officials issued a statement calling for the end of China’s human rights abuses, specifically demanding the release of Ding Yuande, as well as another Falun Gong practitioner who published photos revealing the situation in Beijing during the pandemic, Xu Na.

On the 25th anniversary of the persecution, the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) released a statement deploring the denial of religious freedom in China. Ten days later at an IPAC conference in Taiwan, delegates from 23 countries and the European Parliament discussed further actions, including potential legislation to halt live organ harvesting.

Reinhard Bütikofer, a former German Green Party Member of European Parliament and chairman of The European Parliament’s Delegation for relations with China, underscored IPAC’s ongoing efforts, emphasizing the need for global recognition and support for their stance against the CCP’s actions.

On January 18, 2024, the European Parliament adopted a resolution condemning the persecution of Falun Gong and the sentencing of Ding Yuande. The resolution called for decisive actions, including international investigations, sanctions, and criminal prosecutions against those involved in the persecution as well as a condemnation for the arrests of Ding Lebin’s parents. The Resolution marks a significant point in Ding Lebin’s campaign, as it is the first time in the history of the EU that the European Parliament has addressed the fate and safety of a Chinese farming family.

Michael Gahler, a senior Member of European Parliament from Germany, played a leading role in establishing this resolution. He has repeatedly voiced his support for Ding Yuande, asserting that “all of these people must be released unconditionally and allowed to practice their own beliefs or culture, which is also stipulated in the Chinese Constitution.”

Following this, on June 25, 2024, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Falun Gong Protection Act, marking a major milestone in international support for Falun Gong. The act not only condemns organ harvesting and persecution in China but also represents the first legally binding legislation imposing sanctions on Chinese officials involved in these crimes. While several U.S. states have previously passed resolutions condemning the persecution, global action continues to expand. The Act has also been introduced in the Senate and is currently being scheduled for a vote.

Miriam Lexmann, a Member of the Bureau of the European Parliament, has been another official who strongly condemns the CCP’s persecution of Falun Gong and ongoing persecution of Mr. Ding Lebin’s parents. In a recent debate surrounding the European Parliament’s resolution on the persecution of Falun Gong, Lexmann highlighted the CCP’s ongoing crimes against humanity, stating that, “for more than seven decades, the CCP has terrorized people across mainland China and continues to commit gross crimes against humanity. It is time that the EU is more principled in its approach towards the CCP.”

Additionally, Hiroaki Maruyama, representative of the Stop Medical Genocide—Society for the Study of Organ Transplantation in China (SMG and member of the Zushi City Council, gave a statement in front of the Chinese embassy in Tokyo, alongside two other local councilors. Representative Maruyama called on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to stop persecuting Falun Dafa practitioners, release all detained practitioners, and stop live organ harvesting. Such brave action is crucial in the path towards eliminating the persecution of Falun Gong.

Frank Schwabe, member of the German Bundestag and Federal Government Commissioner for Freedom of Religion and Belief wrote in a letter of support, “practicing Falun Gong should not become a reason for being persecuted. Such a cultivation way has thousands of years of history and like other religions or faiths, should be protected. We cannot let such an important part of Chinese culture disappear.” 

Furthermore, in a letter of support published in 2023, he stated, “let us commend [the practitioners] today and commit ourselves to standing up for a world in which freedom of religion and belief, human rights, and freedom of speech are respected. May the memory of Falun Gong practitioners inspire us to courageously and fearlessly work for freer societies.”

Nadine Ruf, another German MP, echoed these sentiments in her letter of support, stating, “Falun Gong’s basic values are Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance, which are universal values of humanity and should be supported by those who firmly believe in human dignity and freedom. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Falun Gong practitioners for their courage to uphold their values despite years of imprisonment, torture, persecution, and threats of death.”

Human Rights Organizations Speak Out

Several human rights organizations have highlighted the plight of Ding Lebin’s parents, demanding their release and an end to the persecution of Falun Gong. The International Society for Human Rights (IGFM), an NGO with advisory status of the UN Economic and Social Council and Council of Europe, sent letters requesting the release of Ding Lebin’s parents to the Chinese Ambassador to Germany, the former Chinese Foreign Minister and both provincial and city level CCP officials. The Society for Threatened Peoples (STP), another NGO with advisory status of the UN Economic and Social Council and Council of Europe, wrote letters to Josep Borrell, the High Representative and Vice-President of EU Commission and Delegation of the European Union to the People’s Republic of China asking for efforts in freeing Ding Lebin’s father.

The 45th session of the fourth round of the Universal Periodic Review of the United Nations Human Rights Council was held on January 22. It begins at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, the European headquarters of the United Nations. Additionally, the French NGO “CAP Liberté de Conscience“ held a conference titled “China’s Deprivation of Universal Human Rights,“ focusing on the persecution of Falun Gong and organ harvesting from living persons, at the Palais des Nations.

The German Foreign Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the German Embassy in China responded to the call by writing diplomatic letters to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs calling for the release of Mr. Ding Yuande. STP also submitted a statement to the UN Human Rights Council regarding the persecution of Falun Gong and Ding Lebin’s parents. The organization has also extensively covered the family’s story in their reporting.

Furthermore, officials like Member of the French National Assembly, Constance Le Grip; French Sen. Olivier Cadic; Member of German Bundestag and Federal Government Commissioner for Human Rights Policy and Humanitarian Assistance, Luise Amtsberg, have also voiced their support for the cause as well as Czech lawmakers.

Meanwhile, Safeguard Defenders, another EU based NGO, published a report for the 25^th anniversary of the persecution of Falun Gong that analyzed sentencing data of Falun Gong practitioners. The report found that the Falun Gong practitioners continue to be given lengthy sentences averaging over 5 years. According to the report, this is more than double the average 2.3 years for the “crime” of picking quarrels and provoking trouble, the most common charge used to persecute human rights defenders in China.

Mr. Ding has also received support from Rotary Clubs which have invited him to speak about the persecution of Falun Gong and his parents’ situation.

Voices of Support from the Public

Mr. Ding’s work has gained support from public figures, including that of Brendan Kavanagh. Dr. Kavanugh is a British pianist, piano teacher and YouTuber with over 2.5 million subscribers.

Moreover, as Mr. Ding has traveled across Europe advocating for his parents’ release, he has garnered widespread public support, particularly in Germany. At an event in Nuremberg on September 23, 2023, before the Nuremberg International Human Rights Award ceremony, Mr. Ding called on the international community to help free his father. Local media, including Curt Magazin, covered the event, amplifying his plea for the public to help him free his father in China.

The event drew significant support, with individuals like a U.S. Army gunner named Sean LeSpade stating that, “no one should be persecuted for their beliefs. We stand with Mr. Ding in his fight for justice,” and software engineer Angelina Weimer adding, “it’s heartbreaking to see families torn apart by this persecution. We must do what we can to help.” Another supporter, Erika B., a German woman in her 80s, who signed a petition condemning the CCP’s actions, saying, “I hope my signature can help your parents gain true freedom soon.”

More recently, on Aug. 3, 2024, practitioners held an event near the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin to raise awareness about Falun Dafa and expose the CCP’s persecution. The event attracted many tourists, some of whom spoke with practitioners to learn more. Many signed petitions urging governments to help rescue Ding Yuande as well as 21 other practitioners who were sentenced in different terms of prison sentence with different amounts of fine by the Wulian County People’s Court, Province Shandong.

The longest prison sentence for these imprisoned individuals was 5.5 years and the highest fine was 30,000 CNY (approx. 4,200 USD). All of the prison terms together add up to a total of 51 years and 7 months. The fines together add up to 228,000 CNY (approx. 32,000 USD). None of these people had done anything to contravene Chinese law, and all are peaceful Falun Gong practitioners.  

Several tourists held up posters highlighting the plight of Ding Yuande and expressed support for the Falun Gong Protection Act passed by the U.S. House of Representatives in June and the European Parliament’s resolution in January. A couple from Xinjiang who signed a petition said, “we are all victims of the CCP. It is too vicious in China and we Uyghurs suffered a lot.”

These acts of solidarity, coupled with media coverage, have brought greater international attention to the plight of Falun Gong practitioners. The involvement of the public not only strengthens Ding Lebin’s campaign, but also sends a clear message to Chinese officials perpetuating the persecution of Falun Gong: the world is watching and demanding justice.

Attempts to Hinder Mr. Ding’s Efforts

Although there has been much progress in global awareness of the persecution as a result of the extensive campaign led by Ding Lebin, his efforts have been met with resistance by agents of the CCP. 

An aide for a German Member of the European Parliament, was arrested and charged by German authorities in April 2024, for sharing internal information about negotiations and decisions with a Chinese intelligence service. According to German news outlet Der Spiegel, this staffer, identified as Jian G. is accused of working with the Chinese secret service, and relayed information about the creation of a resolution regarding the persecution of Falun Gong to the CCP.

According to a press release from the German Federal Prosecutor General, Jian G. also “spied on Chinese opposition figures in Germany for the [Chinese] intelligence service.” Spying on and interfering with Falun Gong practitioners in Germany is not new. In 2011, a German resident was found guilty of sending information about Falun Gong practitioners in Germany to an official from the 610 Office, the extralegal security agency responsible for carrying out the persecution of Falun Gong in China. 

Ding has also reported being followed and harassed by CCP supporters.