(Minghui.org) May 13, 2021 is the 29th anniversary of Falun Dafa’s public introduction and the 22nd World Falun Dafa Day. To honor this special occasion, elected officials in the United Kingdom have sent letters to express their congratulations and to commend Falun Dafa.
Roualeyn Robert Hovell-Thurlow-Cumming-Bruce, 9th Baron Thurlow, member of the House of Lords, wrote, “I add my voice in wishing health, happiness and freedom from oppression to all Falun Gong practitioners as we approach Falun Dafa Day.”
Caroline Lucas, MP for Brighton Pavilion, House of Commons
In her letter, Caroline Lucas, MP for Brighton Pavilion, House of Commons, wrote “I would like to wish you, and all those who practice Falun Gong, a peaceful and safe celebration on International Falun Dafa Day.
“I’m acutely aware of the persecution faced by those who practice Falun Gong in mainland China. Religious freedom and free speech are fundamental human rights that I will always fight for, and it is unacceptable for authorities to use harassment and surveillance to intimidate and persecute practitioners of Falun Gong.
“The UK Government must take a principled stand when it comes to defending freedom of religion and speech around the world, and I have been working to push the UK Government to hold Chinese authorities accountable for their systematic abuse of ethnic and religious minorities, including Falun Gong practitioners. For example, I am one of the top sponsors of this Early Day Motion (EDM) [1] and in Parliament, I called on the Secretary [2] to impose sanctions on the People’s Republic of China to stop human rights abuses.
“In celebration of Falun Dafa Day I would like to express my solidarity with Falun Gong practitioners around the world, and to redouble my commitment to defending human rights and protecting religious minorities from repression.”
Mayor of Merton, Councillor Sally Kenny wrote in her congratulatory letter, “Your approach and belief of truthfulness, compassion and tolerance are wonderful and an example to all. To peacefully participate in all you do is an amazing achievement and one I admire.”
Background: What Is Falun Dafa?
Falun Dafa (also known as Falun Gong) was first introduced to the public by Mr. Li Hongzhi in Changchun, China in 1992. The spiritual discipline is now practiced in over 100 countries and regions worldwide. Millions of people have embraced the teachings—which are based on the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance as well as five gentle exercises—and experienced uplifted health and well-being.
Jiang Zemin, former head of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), perceived the spiritual discipline's growing popularity as a threat to the CCP's atheistic ideology and on July 20, 1999, issued an order to ban the practice.
Minghui.org has confirmed the deaths of thousands of practitioners as a result of the persecution over the past 22 years. The actual number is believed to be much higher. More have been imprisoned and tortured for their faith.
There is concrete evidence that the CCP sanctions the harvesting of organs from detained practitioners, who are murdered to supply the organ transplant industry.
Under Jiang's personal direction, the CCP established the 610 Office, an extralegal security organization with the power to override the police and judicial systems and whose sole function is to carry out the persecution of Falun Dafa.
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