Switzerland: Local Government Official Expresses Support at an Anti-Torture Exhibition

Although it is already mid-February, west Switzerland is still snow-covered with a bitter wind. On February 19th, some of the German-speaking practitioners braved the severe cold and held anti-torture exhibitions in both Murten and Schwyz. People were astonished as they read the poster boards and learned about the torture methods used on Falun Gong practitioners in China in cruel attempts to force them to give up their beliefs. They expressed their indignation at the persecution of 100 million practitioners, instigated by former Chinese leader Jiang Zemin and carried out by the Communist Party. They also expressed their enormous sympathy for Falun Gong practitioners who have lost their families, jobs, homes and even lives in a campaign of genocide that has lasted almost six years. Swiss people came and asked for Falun Gong leaflets; they listened to the practitioners talk about the persecution and signed a petition calling for an end to these horrific human rights abuses.

The following are some stores that happened at the exhibition:

Open her shackles

A lady approached our stall. When she saw someone dressed as a Chinese policeman and simulating an act of torture on a Falun Gong practitioner she was furious and said, “Stop your evil conduct!” Another gentleman saw a practitioner being tied up on a tiger bench and said, “Please open her shackles and release the rope!” Practitioners have found that simulating the torture methods is an extremely effective way of letting people know more about the violations of human rights against Falun Gong practitioners.

A carpet seller understood the truth

There was a carpet shop not far from our stall. The proprietor was moved when he saw how Falun Gong practitioners use their spare time and money to produce leaflets and brave the snow, handing them out free of charge. The practitioners told him that Falun Gong is good and the persecution is wrong. He expressed his agreement and asked practitioners to write Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance in Chinese calligraphy for him, which he happily took back to his store. Afterwards, he invited practitioners to warm up in his store and have a hot drink.

Murten government official came to express support

The local governor who authorized the anti-torture exhibition came to our stall at the end of the activity. She said, “You’ve done very well! You have justified the significance of this exhibition and shown Truthfulness, Compassion and Forbearance to our inhabitants by your conduct and good behaviour. I am extremely happy and I thank you a lot! I’ve already seen a lot of our locals sign the petition to support you and am certain you will succeed.”