(Minghui.org) Practitioners from the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Ireland, and Switzerland held a rally and parade in Rotterdam on May 16, 2026, to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day, May 13, and express their gratitude to Master Li, the founder of the spiritual practice.
International human rights organizations, including Amnesty International Netherlands, Human Rights Without Frontiers Netherlands, Global Human Rights Defence (GHRD), and Discrimination in the Province of Utrecht sent letters to mark the occasion.
The Tian Guo Marching Band led the parade, followed by celestial maidens, waist drums, a lion dance, and banners. The procession set out from Rotterdam Theater Square and wove its way through Chinatown, Van Oldenbarneveltplaats, and Binnenwegplein.
Parade in Rotterdam on May 16 to celebrate World Falun Dafa Day
People watch the parade in Rotterdam.
Human Rights Organizations Write to Mark the Occasion
Deputy Chair Silvio of the Netherlands Falun Dafa Association introduced the spiritual practice at the rally and read out the letters from human rights organizations. Ms. Wang, a practitioner from Liaoning Province, China, shared the experiences of three generations in her family being persecuted by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). She called for more help to end the human rights abuse.
Silvio speaking in the rally
The Global Human Rights Defence letter read: “We stand with Falun Dafa practitioners. We are firmly committed to drawing the world’s attention to this grave atrocity—not only at the United Nations level, but across the entire international community. We will continue to advocate for transparency, accountability, and justice to ensure that the voice of the Falun Dafa group is heard globally.”
Amnesty International Netherlands wrote: “In the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, freedom of thought, belief, and religion, as well as freedom of association and assembly, are all collectively referred to as freedom of expression.” It called on “the Chinese government to stop persecuting Falun Gong practitioners, and immediately release all those detained for exercising their rights to freedom of belief and speech.”
Hans Noot, Director of Human Rights Without Frontiers Netherlands, wrote in his letter, “We firmly support Falun Gong practitioners. We pledge to continue amplifying your voices until justice is served.”
Letter from Discrimination in the Province of Utrecht
Bernice Calmes, Director of Discrimination in the Province of Utrecht, wrote: “On the occasion of World Falun Dafa Day 2026 and the birthday of Mr. Li Hongzhi, we would like to express our congratulations and appreciation for your unwavering dedication to the core values of the movement: Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance.”
Public Support
Ihsan Seyf from Kurdistan
Ihsan Seyf, who saw the parade in Chinatown, said he liked the celestial maidens and traditional outfits, adding, “Everyone should have freedom of belief and should not be persecuted.”
From left: Vektorear, Maja, and Oksana
Vektorear, her daughter Maja, and friend Oksana said they liked the parade, including the music, the celestial maidens’ dresses, the lion dance, and waist drums, which were joyful and festive.
Seeing the messages on the banners, they said it was hard to believe that such a righteous faith was being persecuted in China. They said they would learn more about Falun Dafa and supported the practitioners’ efforts to counter the persecution.
Laurens, a student, likes Falun Gong.
Laurens and his girlfriend enjoyed the Tian Guo Marching Band. “Music brings me joy, and I was pleasantly surprised to see something like this here in Rotterdam,” Laurens said. “But when I heard their stories [the accounts shared at the rally regarding the the CCP’s persecution] and read the flyer, I realized that this was not just a musical performance. Rather, it was a way of telling everyone about those who are being persecuted due to their faith.
“I think it is important to get people to stop and pay attention to the persecution. More people should be concerned about this issue.”
He thought the Falun Gong principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, and Forbearance were “important, especially compassion. Our world needs compassion. Right now, there are many conflicts and contradictions in the world. If people could adhere to these principles, many of these conflicts and contradictions would be reduced.”
A family support Falun Gong.
Toward the end of the parade, a man walked over to the information booth, hoping to take some flyers and help distribute them. He said he knew a family of Falun Gong practitioners in Hengelo in the Netherlands who’d fled China to avoid being persecuted. In this free country, they still spoke up for practitioners who were being persecuted back in China.
“They went to Amsterdam from Hengelo to participate in a [signature drive for a] petition. I admire their persistence.
“We are happy to see you here. We have a place for your flyers in Hengelo and welcome activities there to introduce the practice.”
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