Words of Justice from Italy

On September 25, some non-governmental organisations in Italy, e.g. NTC, HOC, and MOVIMONDO, held a conference of profound significance at the Congress Building in the capital, Rome, for Falun Gong practitioners. The main theme of the conference was “Support Falun Gong, SOS urgent rescue Falun Gong practitioners persecuted in China.” Almost 200 Falun Gong practitioners from Europe, Taiwan, USA, Canada and Austria, etc. participated in this conference. Italian Congress vice-president, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Human Rights Commission President, Member of the European Parliament Madam Banino, senate and congressmen, the parliament president, the NTC non- governmental organization secretary general successively delivered speeches at the conference. Falun Gong’s spokesperson and the Falun Gong practitioners who encountered persecution in China, Professor Zhang Kunlun and Madam Zhang Cuiying were invited to speak one after another.

The speeches of the Italian members of the national assembly left a deep impression and received rousing applause from the audience. They praised Falun Gong practitioners highly for their peacefulness and kindness and at the same time intensely condemned the Chinese Jiang Regime for the crime of abusing human rights.

Congress vice-president Mr. Biondi said, “The persecution of Falun Gong is not merely the issue of the human rights of a single person, it is more of a moral issue. The respect for human rights is a need common to all humanity. The peacefulness of Falun Gong forms a sharp contrast with the violent behaviour of terrorists. We will support you, until your voices can be heard by all people. We hope the Chinese government can understand that people in the world do not only care about trade, but are more concerned about the human rights. I hope that your efforts and our efforts will be successful.”

MEP Madam Bonino said, “ I am not a Falun Gong practitioner, but today I feel as though I am one of you. The world has witnessed that you are a group of peaceful people. What is regrettable is that China cannot hear the voices of Falun Gong. The battle to resist evil and violence is the responsibility of every individual. I hope there are more of such people like yourselves in the world. I will continue to support you. Thank you for coming to Italy.”

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Committee President Mr. Selva said, “I support Falun Gong practitioners. I have already signed my name on the “SOS urgent rescue Falun Gong practitioners persecuted in China” petition. I fully support your peaceful resistance for truth and freedom.”

Member of the national assembly Mr D’Amico said, “The recent terrorist attack in America is a tragedy, but the suppression of Falun Gong for two years is the entire humanity's tragedy. We will continue trying hard to make more people realize this point. Another member of the national assembly said, “I admire your courage very much. No one in this world has the right to deprive another person of the right to behave as a human should. Our relations with China relations cannot only be trade, we must put the respect of human rights in the foremost place.”

NTC Secretary General Sergio said,” When I see the peaceful scene of all of you practising the [Falun Gong] exercises, I am very affected, I understood the value of Falun Gong’s Truthfulness, Benevolence & Forbearance.

Falun Gong spokesperson Zhang Erping thanked the above spokespersons for their support on behalf of the Falun Gong practitioners. Various major Italian media arrived one after another at the scene. They were busy taking photographs, doing sound recordings and interviews. The Falun Gong spokesperson, the representative of the Italian [Falun] Dafa Association, Falun Gong practitioners Zhang Kunlun and Zhang Cuiying all accepted the interviews. The Italian broadcasting station and television station reported positively about this activity on the same day.

(Translated on November 15, 2001 from http://yuanmingeurope.net/articles/1643.html )

26 September, 2001