Switzerland: Practitioners Hold Press Conference to Expose the Truth of Hong Kong’s Political Prosecution

In order to clarify the truth and protest the Hong Kong authorities’ unreasonable indictment against Falun Gong practitioners due to its submission to the Jiang Zemin regime’s pressure, Swiss Falun Gong practitioners held a press conference on August 7, 2002 at the Federal Square in downtown Berne, capital of Switzerland. The press conference was scheduled to begin at 3:00 p.m. At 10:00 a.m., the practitioners set up a booth, passed out Dafa truth-clarifying literature and materials and clarified the truth to visitors including a group of visitors from China. Some practitioners paid a visit to related departments of the Federal government and major news outlets in the capital, bringing them Dafa truth-clarifying VCDs and Dafa related materials.

At 3:00 p.m., the press conference began. The representative of Swiss practitioners presented the truth about the Hong Kong trial. He pointed out that the practitioners’ peaceful appeal did not violate any law in Hong Kong. The video footage and clear-cut numbers indicated that Hong Kong police’s so-called “obstruction,” “assaulting the police,” and “obstructing the police to execute their duty” did not exist at all. It is absolutely a false charge and obviously a political prosecution. The case had been scheduled to be resolved in ten days, and it should have been concluded at the end of June or in early July, but it has been extended again and again, until now, it has lasted for 25 days. A Swiss newspaper Everyday Daily said in its later report, “According to observation, the case has been ridiculously prolonged for lack of reliable evidence.”

Swiss practitioners pointed out: If the verdict was in favor of the plaintiff, it would mean that the court issued a permit to violate human rights. A Councilor from Geneva expressed support on behalf of her colleagues for Falun Gong practitioners’ righteous actions, and called on the Swiss government to pay attention to this case. She also hoped that the Hong Kong government kindly treated Falun Gong practitioners, and ensured the citizens’ right to freedom of speech and freedom of assembly. Letters of support from organizations including the Transnational Radical Party and the Association of International Human Rights were also read out at the press conference. After the press conference, the practitioners demonstrated the exercises and did Fa Zheng Nian on the square.

As it was the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the Federal Parliament Building and the building was open to public, there were many visitors at the square. The press conference and the practitioners’ exercise demonstration attracted a lot of attention. They came over to ask for Dafa truth-clarifying literature and materials and listened to the truth about the Hong Kong’s false charges against Falun Gong practitioners.

When a group of visitors from China approached us, the practitioners walked up to them and gave them Dafa truth-clarifying materials. Some visitors took the materials without any hesitation, and when seeing three Chinese characters that form “Falun Gong” they said excitedly, “Ah, Falun Gong, wonderful!” Some thumbed up to express their support and admiration. Some of them did not dare to take materials themselves, but still showed their worries for others who took the materials: “You’re so brave.” Those who took the materials replied, “I want to study it.” Another young lady came up to our booth, finished reading the truth-clarifying materials in one breath and left. An older gentleman showed hesitation to take the materials. Our practitioners noticed his contradictory mentality and said to him, “Please watch our display boards and read our truth-clarifying materials. In China you could only hear a one-sided voice. Be sure not to miss the opportunity!” One man nearby introduced the older gentleman to us, and said, “He is our leader.” The practitioner said, “Ah, I understand, you know Falun Gong is good in your heart! And the practitioners are good people.” The older gentleman kept nodding to express his agreement.

One visitor from Munich said that he was so happy to see Falun Gong. He was eager to learn to practice the exercises but did not know how to contact the Falun Gong practitioners in Germany. We helped him to find the contact ways, and he happily signed to support Falun Gong. There was a couple from France. Though they did not know much German, they knew Falun Gong is good, and both of them signed their support. Two more young practitioners said, “We have been looking for Falun Gong for a long time, and we finally find it today. We want to practise Falun Gong.” To satisfy their wish, the practitioners immediately taught them to practise the exercises on the spot.