British Politicians Express Support and Congratulations on World Falun Dafa Day

Politicians from throughout the UK sent congratulations for World Falun Dafa Day on May 13, 2021. They expressed their recognition of Falun Dafa’s principles of Truthfulness- Compassion-Forbearance, support practitioners’ endeavors to end the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) persecution, and thanked practitioners for their dedication to the principles of Truthfulness-Compassion-Forbearance.

Honorable Raymond Hervey Jolliffe, 5th Baron Hylton, ARICS, DL, Member of the House of Lords, said in his congratulatory letter: “I have supported the freedom from persecution of Falun Gong practitioners over many years, and send best wishes for the Special Day on 13 May.”

Member of the House of Lords, Honorable Raymond Hervey Jolliffe, 5th Baron Hylton, ARICS, DL.

The Rt. Hon. The Lord Mayor of Cardiff and Councillor Rod McKerlich said in his congratulatory message: “On behalf of the citizens of Cardiff I express my deepest gratitude to all observing Falun Dafa Day, for making our world a more harmonious, peaceful place through your commitment to the values of truthfulness, compassion and tolerance.”

Professor Margot Ruth Aline Lister, Baroness Lister of Burtersett, Member of the House of Lords, said in her letter: “Truthfulness, compassion and tolerance’ are important principles not just in everyday life but also in politics. I’m therefore pleased to send you this brief message of support for Falun Dafa Day.”

Professor Margot Ruth Aline Lister, Baroness Lister of Burtersett, CBE, FBA, FacSS, Member of the House of Lords

In his congratulatory letter Alan Robert Haworth, Baron Haworth, Member of the House of Lords, said: “I am aware that practitioners of Falun Gong have been persecuted in China and for many years now. I had always hoped that international diplomatic pressure on China would cause the regime to desist and to join the civilised world. It is profoundly disappointing that the persecution continues. The world needs more of the essential values of truthfulness, harmony, compassion and tolerance, not less. And not just in China. I am very happy to add my support to your campaign.”

Alan Robert Haworth, Baron Haworth, Member of the House of Lords

The Right Worshipful the Lord Mayor of Exeter, Councillor Peter Holland said in his congratulatory message, “As Lord Mayor of the City of Exeter and on behalf of its citizens I would like to add my message of support to the Falun Dafa Community. Discrimination threatens the very fabric of civilisation. Our world often feels fragile and vulnerable and we cannot be complacent. Prejudice and the language of hatred must be challenged by us all. Memorial Days of this kind enable everyone to better understand how hurtful mankind continues to be. The values of the Falun Dafa Community: truthfulness; compassion and tolerance, are my values and if adopted across all Nations then I am confident that the World will be a much better place.”

Member of the House of Lords, Leslie Arnold Turnberg, Baron Turnberg FRCP FmedSci, said: “It is an honour and pleasure to offer my support to you in Falun Dafa.”

Leslie Arnold Turnberg, Baron Turnberg FRCP FmedSci, Member of the House of Lords

A congratulatory letter from Councillor Denise Hyland, Deputy Mayor of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, stated: “I wish health, safety, and happiness to all Falun Gong practitioners in the Royal Borough of Greenwich and across the world. I hope all practitioners will enjoy freedom of religion, speech and assembly, and all persecution ceases. I hope you all enjoy your special day of celebration on Falun Dafa Day.”

Background
Falun Dafa (also known as Falun Gong) was introduced to the public in 1992. Nearly 100 million people across China were soon practicing Falun Dafa after experiencing improvements in their health and character. Jiang Zemin, former head of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), perceived the spiritual discipline's growing popularity as a threat to the CCP’s atheistic ideology and on July 20, 1999, issued an order to ban the practice.

Minghui.org has confirmed the deaths of thousands of practitioners as a result of the persecution over the past 22 years. The actual number is believed to be much higher. More have been imprisoned and tortured for their faith.

There is concrete evidence that the CCP sanctions the harvesting of organs from detained practitioners, who are murdered to supply the organ transplant industry.

Under Jiang’s personal direction, the CCP established the 610 Office, an extralegal security organization with the power to override the police and judicial systems and whose sole function is to carry out the persecution of Falun Dafa.