The Netherlands: People Call for an End to the Persecution After Learning About Falun Gong

Falun Gong practitioners in the Netherlands held a series of activities in many cities during the autumn of 2023 to raise awareness of the ongoing persecution in China. After learning more about Falun Gong, many people expressed agreement with the practice's principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance and signed the petition calling for an end to the human rights atrocities taking place in China.

I Hope One Day You Will No Longer Be Persecuted

Practitioners held activities near the central train station in Utrecht on November 19, 2023. Many passersby stopped by to show their support.

Grzegorz, an international relations postgraduate student at Wroclaw University, learned about Falun Gong and the persecution through chatting with practitioners. He expressed admiration for the values of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance taught by Falun Gong. “I think Falun Gong is a proactive group. I find that they [Falun Gong practitioners] are very driven,” he said.

He showed his support by signing the petition calling for an end to the persecution. “I hope that one day Falun Gong practitioners will have freedom of belief and no longer be persecuted,” he said.

Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance Are the Most Important Values in Life

Bas is a photographer and cameraman. When he learned that Falun Gong practitioners’ organs were removed without consent in prisons in China, he told practitioners that he could not ignore such atrocities and signed the petition.

Bas said it is saddening to know that the Chinese Communist Party is persecuting people who simply want to improve their physical and mental health. “People do things in a completely legal and wonderful way, improving their moral character. This shouldn't be banned. This persecution is terrible,” he said.

He also said the values of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance taught by Falun Gong are “the most important values in life.”

Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance Is Peaceful and Beautiful

Practitioners held activities at the Het Zuivelplein shopping mall area in Bergen op Zoom on November 25, 2023. People stopped to sign the petition to help end forced organ harvesting in China.

Joost, an actor and movie cameraman, and Shehera, who is an actress, listened as practitioners explained what Falun Gong is to them. They said the suppression by the CCP is ridiculous.

When Joost learned that Falun Gong practitioners conduct themselves according to the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance, he remarked, “This is peaceful! It is beautiful!”

Shehera said she totally agrees with the principles of Falun Gong. “I always thought being an honest person is important. Be truthful to others and yourself,” she said.

She said that compassion and tolerance help people get along in society. “I think kindness and tolerance are the only values, as well as the right way to live together,” she said. “If you are being persecuted for this, it is indeed inconceivable!”

Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance Makes One a Considerate Person

Practitioners held activities near St. Lebuinus Church in Deventer on October 28, 2023. Their activities were close to a shopping area and a popular tourist destination. Many people signed the petition that day.

Luuk, a poet, was one of the people who signed the petition to stop the persecution during the Deventer activity. He said he believed people would be more considerate if they followed the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.

He also believes that Falun Dafa practitioners should not be persecuted. He said, “This persecution is ridiculous! It is not normal!”