Finland: Practitioners Protest CCP’s Persecution on International Holocaust Remembrance Day

January 27, 2012 was International Holocaust Remembrance Day for the victims of the Holocaust. In keeping with the spirit of this day, practitioners in Helsinki, Finland gathered in front of the Chinese Embassy peacefully protesting the brutal persecution of Falun Gong by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) that has lasted for more than 12 years. An evening candlelight vigil was held at the railway station, commemorating the practitioners who have died as a result of the persecution.

Candlelight vigil to commemorate practitioners who have died as a result of the persecution

People sign petition to support the effort to end the persecution

At around 9:00 a.m., practitioners gathered in front of the Chinese Embassy, protesting the CCP’s 12-year persecution of Falun Gong. They demanded release of all illegally detained Falun Gong practitioners, and the upright lawyers who defend Falun Gong practitioners in court. Two practitioners took turns speaking in Chinese and Finnish to expose the persecution to local people.

It is dark by 4:00 p.m. during the winter in Helsinki. Despite the cold weather, some practitioners placed a row of candles along the street, and held banners. Others held portraits of practitioners who have died in the persecution. Silently they sat there, with the solemn and stirring music “Candles” being repeatedly played in the background.

Many people were moved by the solemn scene. They stopped their hasty steps and accepted flyers. One lady who was attracted by the candles and music came up to learn what had happened. After being made aware of the persecution, she signed the petition.

Mr. Tapio, a resident of Helsinki, will be 80 years old in a few days. While having a conversation with a practitioner, he said that he supported Falun Gong practitioners’ efforts. He took a flyer and signed his name in the signature collection book. He asked if he could have several more flyers, for an event the next day in his community, that many people would attend. He hoped that he could help practitioners to spread the news.

Background

Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a traditional Chinese spiritual discipline for mind and body. The practice involves slow, gentle movements and meditation. It is easy to learn, enjoyable to practice, and free of charge. Its guiding principles are based on Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance. The practice was first introduced by Master Li Hongzhi in China in 1992 and quickly spread by word of mouth throughout China and then beyond. Its beneficial effects in uplifting an individual's physical health, spiritual well-being, and moral character, not to mention its positive influence in the community and society as a whole, are undeniable. In fact, Falun Gong is practiced by over 100 million people in 110 countries. The main works of Falun Gong are available in over 30 languages.

On July 20, 1999, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) launched a brutal persecution of Falun Gong.

According to figures from the Minghui/Clearwisdom website, up to now at least 3559 Falun Gong practitioners are confirmed to have been persecuted to death. Experts estimate that the actual figures are much higher. Hundreds of thousands of Falun Gong practitioners have been tortured in prisons, forced labor camps, and psychiatric hospitals. Moreover, the CCP controlled military, public security, judiciary, and health care system have collaborated with each other to harvest organs from living Falun Gong practitioners in one of the most horrendous crimes in human history.

Since the start of the persecution, practitioners throughout the world have been speaking out about Falun Gong and exposing the CCP's crimes in a tireless effort to end the persecution.