Swiss Falun Gong Hunger Strikers’ Message of Compassion

On the evening of Sept. 13, Swiss practitioners held three-day hunger strikes in front of the Chinese Embassy in Zurich, the Chinese Consulate in Berne, and the UN in Geneva. The purpose was to support the practitioners being detained in Masanjia, Wanjia, and Changlinzi labour camps and to appeal to the Chinese government to stop Jiang Zemin and his followers' brutal persecution of Falun Gong practitioners. The practitioners were demanding the immediate release of the detained Falun Gong practitioners.

This activity garnered the understanding and support of the Swiss government and people just as before. The police said it was the first time that they had issued a three-day permit for a hunger strike. When UN officials and other organizations held a silent parade for the victims of the terrorist attack, practitioners handed them Dafa flyers and explained to them what is happening in China.

The hunger strike was held after the terrorist attack and carried special meaning. Just like the words a practitioner wrote on a poster, "We understand your sadness. We are with you. The world needs more Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance."

Many people came to talk with the practitioners. One Canadian lady said, "If everyone had Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance, this tragedy would never have happened. It seems only Falun Gong can solve this problem." The practitioners realized that such an unforgettable tragedy makes more people look toward truth, kindness, and peace; people are coming closer to a common understanding of Zhen-Shan-Ren (Truthfulness-Compassion-Tolerance).