(Minghui.org) July 20, 2021 marked the 22^nd year of the Chinese Communist Party’s persecution of Falun Gong, a mind-body practice based on the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance. To commemorate the special occasion, the Falun Dafa Association in France wrote to relevant government agencies, urging them to help stop the persecution in China.

Several French government officials recently wrote back, expressing their support for Falun Gong practitioners’ persistent efforts in the past 22 years to end the persecution of their faith.

The letters came from the Office of the French Prime Minister, the Office of the French Minister of Interior, the French Secretary of the State Digital Transition and Electronic Communications, the Office of the French Minister of Sports, Mayor of Saint Pierre, the Office of the Adjunct Mayor of the 5th District of Lyon, and the Office of the Mayor of La Baule─Escoublac. 

The officials condemned the Chinese regime’s ruthless persecution of innocent Falun Gong practitioners in China. They expressed their deep concern about the harsh situation practitioners in China are facing and also paid respect to their determination to uphold their beliefs in Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance, despite the persecution.

Several offices also forwarded the letter from the Falun Dafa Association in France to Foreign Minister Jean Yves le Drian and institutes that handle international relations, urging the French government to further speak up for Falun Gong practitioners in China. A member of the National Assembly called on the European Union to address the issue of religious freedom when holding bilateral dialogues with the Chinese regime. 

Letter from David Lorion, member of National Assembly from Saint-Pierre in Réunion

Mr. David Lorion, member of the National Assembly from Saint-Pierre in Réunion, expressed his support for the practitioners’ right to practice their faith and reaffirmed the French government’s determination to safeguard freedom of religious practice. 

He said, “As you know, the freedoms for everyone to practice their religion, to express an opinion constitute the basis of the universal values of our Republic.

“Also, I again wish that the French authorities continue to ask the Chinese government to respect the rights of association, belief, and expression. 

“I know that our diplomats regularly evoke the release of prisoners of conscience, and that they intervene on this subject within the United Nations Human Rights Council. 

“I welcome the fact that the EU is carrying out, within the framework of a bilateral dialogue with China, actions in favor of the defense of the rights of ethnic and religious minorities. On this occasion, France must be the herald of support for freedom.

“On various occasions, the situation of Falun Gong practitioners, like that of other minorities, is worrying and must of course be addressed during the meetings organized at the highest level.”

Letter from the Office of French Prime Minister, Mr. Jean Castex 

Letter from the Office of French Minister of Interior, Ms. Marlène Schiappa

Letter from the French Secretary of the State Digital Transition and Electronic Communications, Mr. Cédric O

Letter from the Office of the French Minister of Sports, Ms. Roxana Mara-Cineanu

Letter from Mayor of Saint Pierre, Mr. Christian Rapha 

Letter from the Office of the Adjunct Mayor of the 5th District of Lyon, Ms. Sonia Zdorovtzoff

Letter from the Office of the Mayor of La Baule─Escoublac, Mr. Franck Louvrier