(Minghui.org) On December 14, the Human Rights Relief Foundation and the Vietnamese Community of Australia, New South Wales Chapter, held a rally in the Sydney suburb of Cabramatta. Falun Gong practitioners joined the rally to condemn Chinese communist attempts to extend the persecution of Falun Gong to Australia and the Party's attempts to control Australian communities with economic threats. The rally was part of local activities in recognition of the 66^th International Human Rights Day.

John Deller, a local Falun Gong spokesperson, pointed out that both Falun Gong practitioners and Vietnamese have been suffering as a result of communist party influence. He briefly explained Falun Gong and reviewed the 15-year persecution and practitioners' peaceful resistance to it.

At the end of his speech, he reminded the audience that the CCP has been trying to extend its human rights violations into Australian society and control Australian communities, especially the Chinese.

John Deller, a Falun Gong spokesperson, speaks at the rally.

Falun Gong practitioners talk to passersby about the persecution of Falun Gong.

Other speakers at the rally echoed Mr. Deller.

Craig Kelly, the member of the Australian House of Representatives, co-founded Parliamentarians Against Forced Organ Harvesting with Senator John Madigan and noted that Australia needs to pay more attention to this issue.

Craig Kelly, Member of the Australian House of Representatives, speaks at the rally.

He also said, "Regarding the Chinese Communist Party's influence and trade issue, we absolutely have to keep eye on it. We have to use this as an opportunity, to use the trade between us, as the more trade we have, the more exposure we have, the more light we can shine on human rights issues. So I believe trade should not be seen as a negative thing, but should be seen as a positive thing that can help open up great freedom and human rights."

At the rally, MP Chris Hayes talked to Falun Gong practitioner Lin Li, and heard her story. During the APEC conference in November, Lin Li joined the protest in Sydney. A few Chinese people from a local organization, which is believed bourght by the CCP, pushed Ms. Li down on the street, and a car almost ran over her.

Ms. Lin Li is talking to MP Chris Hayes

Ms. Lin Li is concerned about the CCP's penetration into Australian society. MP Hayes praised Li for her courage, and encouraged her to keep up the good job of exposing the CCP's human right violation.

MP Hayes has spoken up for Falun Gong on several occasions. He once wrote to the Australian minister of Foreign Affairs, requesting the Australian government to conduct an independent investigation on the persecution of Falun Gong in China.

Than Nguyen, a lawyer and the former president of the Vietnamese Association in New South Wales, and the initiator of the rally, said that people living in a free country should not forget those who are suffering human right violations.

He said: "Today, International Human Rights Day, we are marking the 66th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It's been 66 years, but we still have a long way to go. We've made many advances in technology, but the human rights and dignity of some people are not respected.

"In Australia we are very lucky to enjoy our human rights, so we have a responsibility to raise awareness of human rights violations in many parts of the world.

"It is so easy when we have things so good, when our human rights are not affected. But we must remember the victims of human rights abuses. There are those in prison, for example, the Falun Gong people in China who are in prison for their beliefs, and they are executed and their organs are harvested. So those things we need to make people aware of and help to do something about it."

Than Nguyen, the former president of the Vietnamese Association in New South Wales

Nguyen reminded the attendees: "Economic issues are important, but we must not forget that the key, the foundation to economic progress and development, is the respect for human rights. It is only through respect for human rights and human dignity that every individual has the opportunity to fulfill their potential and to make a contribution to society.

"If we are trading fundamental rights for an economic and trade relationship, we are falling into a trap that the ends justify the means. And if we do that, in the long run, our society will go backwards. If we compromise our fundamental values, for trade, for business, in the end the society will suffer. Because people cannot fully enjoy and express their potential, their human rights have not been respected. So human rights are the basis for economic and business progress, not the other way around. Respect human rights first, and then prosperity and economic progress will come."

Dr. Thang Ha, the current president of the Vietnamese Association in New South Wales, said that it is important to differentiate the CCP from the Chinese people. 

Dr. Thang Ha, president of the New South Wales Chapter of the Vietnamese Association in Australia.

Dr. Thang said: "Human rights under communism is only on paper. They make a promise, but they do not keep it. This is the situation that Australia and all the world should pay attention to. We cannot trade human rights for economic gain. This is what the communist party does, they try to use business, and Australia has signed a free trade agreement with China.

"In the Vietnamese community we always make a clear distinction between the Chinese people and Chinese government. We understand, because we've experienced it ourselves. That's what they always do - paint a good picture. But the reality is not like that.

"They try to pressure us, try to divide us, and try to infiltrate our community. However, we try to be united and be as one, because Vietnamese people have experienced communism before.

"We have to stand up for our rights and our own traditions. Every county, every town, and every province in Vietnam consists of many cultures and traditions. And I believe it's the same thing for Falun Gong people. You cannot remove a whole group of people, you cannot erase them and put them in jail. Killing them is like genocide. That is what the Chinese government is trying to do to Falun Gong.

"We do not forget our roots, our country, and our nation. We try to bring something good to our country, try to help the people. And I am sure, today, that Falun Gong practitioners stand with us to raise awareness about human rights.

"The Falun Gong practitioners in China have no rights and no freedom to practice at all. We are free in Australia, and we try to press the government of Australia to speak out for those who are helpless and do not have basic human rights and are not allowed to practice their own belief. We seek to have every nation and everyone in the world to step up and raise up their voices to speak up and help those in need.

“I believe that Falun Gong practitioners are the same. They have their own beliefs, families, and hometowns. The CCP puts them in jails and persecutes them. But the CCP will never be able to eliminate their beliefs.”

Fiona Bachmanann, the representative from Amnesty International, Australia branch

Fiona Bachmanann, representing Amnesty Australia, called for the end of the persecution of Falun Gong. She talked to a few practitioners, and promised to raise their situations with her colleagues at Amnesty Australia.

Ms. Bachmanann said: "Today is the 66-year anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Amnesty International Action groups focus on raising awareness about human rights in the Australian community.

"We support Falun Gong. My view is that it is a violation of human rights to have anyone treated in the way that Falun Gong is treated [in China]. I do not think anyone here today would support those violations."