Geneva, Switzerland – At the newly commenced 59th Human Rights Council session in Geneva, Global Human Rights Defence hosted an impactful side event, addressing one of the most concerning, yet overlooked, human rights issues: the systematic persecution and forced organ harvesting of Falun Gong practitioners and other prisoners of conscience in the People’s Republic of China. The event brought together expert voices and personal testimonies to discuss compelling evidence of large- scale abuses committed by Chinese Communist Party’s regime. Moderated by Charlotte Zehrer, a
human rights officer at Global Human Rights Defence, the session highlighted urgent concerns surrounding religious persecution, medical ethics, and international accountability.
“The allegations we are discussing today point to systematic violations of the right to life, freedom of belief, and protection from torture,” Ms. Zehrer stated in her opening remarks. “These are not isolated incidents. They demand a unified and immediate response from the global community.”
The event featured a distinguished panel, offering insights into the grim reality faced by victims of religious persecution and forced organ harvesting:
• KaYan Wong, a Falun Gong practitioner and advocate, shared insights into the Falun Gong spiritual movement, ongoing repression, and the vital role of international advocacy in exposing abuses.
• Dr. Andreas Weber, trauma surgeon, health expert at the German Bundestag, and Deputy Director for Europe at Doctors Against Forced Organ Harvesting, delivered expert commentary on transplant ethics and outlined how China’s opaque system violates fundamental principles of medical transparency and consent. Presenting an analytical report of his organization into the occurrence of forced organ harvesting in the People’s Republic of China, he concluded that ample evidence exists that a crime against humanity is being committed on an enormous scale. Dr. Weber’s organization, a recipient of the 2019 Mother Teresa Memorial Award, has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize three times.
• Yumei Liu, a Falun Gong practitioner and survivor, offered an emotional and powerful testimony detailing her repeated imprisonment, torture, and exposure to organ harvesting threats between 1999 and 2005. Her prior testimony before the 2018 China Tribunal has been instrumental in international efforts to document and verify these atrocities.
• ManYan Ng, human rights expert and board member of the International Society for Human Rights, concluded the panel with a geopolitical overview of China’s expanding influence and the necessity of sustained international vigilance. Mr. Ng particularly emphasized the CCP’s mission of transnational repression and eradication of the Falun Gong movement, as well as its highly concerning methods employed, ranging from smear campaigns and espionage, to blackmail and threats to life and bodily integrity of practitioners abroad and their family.
The 2019 China Tribunal, chaired by Sir Geoffrey Nice KC, previously found beyond a reasonable doubt that forced organ harvesting has occurred on a significant scale in China, primarily targeting Falun Gong practitioners. Echoing those findings, UN Special Rapporteurs have continued to voice concerns over China’s lack of transparency and accountability in organ transplantation practices.
This side event served not only as a platform for raising awareness but also as a call to action. Attendees were urged to consider how states, institutions, and the UN Human Rights Council can respond to these grave abuses in line with international law and ethical obligations.
As the Human Rights Council continues its session, the message from this event is clear: the world must not turn a blind eye to the suffering of millions belonging to religious minorities in China. The international community must pursue transparency, justice, and accountability without delay.
