Italy: Rallies Held in Rome and Turin to Support the Human Rights Torch Relay

On October 25th and 27th 2007, the Coalition to Investigate Persecution of Falun Gong (CIPFG) held two rallies in Rome and Turin to support the Human Rights Torch Relay.

The Human Rights Torch Relay, organized by the Coalition to Investigate the Persecution of Falun Gong (CIPFG), was launched on August 9th 2007 in Athens, Greece. Its purpose is to raise awareness of the persecution of Falun Gong in China as it goes through 150 cities in 37 countries.

The rally was supported by the Roman government. On the morning of October 25th, representatives of CIPFG submitted an appeal letter to the Italian Olympic Committee. Representatives talked to the officials of the Olympic Committee, and clarified the purposes of the Human Rights Torch Relay.

CIPFG also submitted materials to the Holy See, the Italian Prime Minister, President and Congress.

At 3:00pm, CIPFG held a press conference. Senator Sergio D'elia, the chair of Hands Off Cain, Antonello Brandi, the chair of the Italian Labour Camp Foundation, representatives from Tibetan Association and representatives from the Falun Dafa Association gave speeches. Three senators sent letters of support to the rally. More than 20 non-governmental organizations attended the rally.

Senator Sergio D'elia stated that the rally was very important because it let people in the free world know what is happening in China. He said that one of the reasons that human rights violations take place in China is because the international community doesn't pay enough attention to them. He pointed out that what we need to do is to let the free world know what is going on and then ask them to exert pressure on the dictators.

A similar rally was held on October 27 in Turin, Italy. Claudio Tecchio, the representative from the Cisl Union, and senator Lucio Malan attended the rally and gave speeches. They condemned the persecution and called on the Chinese government to respect human rights. Senator Malan proposed a resolution which would require the Italian media to report on human rights issues in China when reporting on the 2008 Olympics.

The 17th Olympic Games were held in Rome and the Winter Olympics of 2006 were held in Turin.