Candlelight Vigil Near Chinese Embassy in Helsinki Calls to End the Persecution of Falun Dafa

(Minghui.org) December 10 is International Human Rights Day, a reminder to all people that human rights are universal and essential. The theme for 2025 is Human Rights: Our Everyday Essentials.

In observance of Human Rights Day, Falun Dafa practitioners in Finland protested in front of the Chinese Embassy in Helsinki on December 4, 2025, to condemn the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) 26-year persecution of their spiritual discipline. They also held a candlelight vigil at Kamppi, Helsinki on December 10 to commemorate fellow practitioners who died in the persecution and to call on people in Finland to pay attention to, and help stop the CCP’s state-sanctioned forced organ harvesting of prisoners of conscience.

Practitioners hold a protest in front of the Chinese Embassy in Helsinki on December 4, 2025.

Portraits of practitioners who died as a result of the CCP’s persecution were displayed on the square. Some are relatives of practitioners in Finland. Lighted candles were placed before the portraits, and practitioners silently commemorated their fellow practitioners who were persecuted to death. Many passers-by were moved and paused to learn about the event and sign the petition. It rained two hours later. Some practitioners continued sitting in the rain, winning people’s empathy and respect.

Candlelight vigil in Helsinki on December 10Practitioners continue their vigil despite the rain.

The CCP Destroys Morality

A retired Helsinki resident, Olli told practitioners, “I absolutely object to the communist party.” He explained that his great-grandfather and father participated in three Finnish wars: the Finnish Civil War of 1918, the Winter War of 1939–1940, and the Continuation War of 1941–1944. He recalled that the early Russian communists plundered food and belongings from the people in the Finnish border region, and the oppression left a lasting impression on him.

He said, “I am a Christian, and in the Christian faith, we say, ‘What is mine is also yours.’ But the communist party claims, ‘What is yours is mine.’ My ancestors lived in the Itä-Karjala region of Finland, near the Russian border. After the Russian Revolution, they [the Russian communists] invaded the Finnish side, plundering food, money, and people’s possessions. This also happened in China.”

Olli said the communist party deceives people with lies, suppresses beliefs, and destroys the moral basis of society. “For example, in Russia, people replied on upper level order and did not work actively. What manifested was laziness.” He gave an example, “I’m a business owner and want to do my work well. The communist party does nothing, but wants to control everything and deprives people of their freedom and belief.”

A practitioner told him, “The communist party deceives the Chinese people with lies to demonize Falun Gong practitioners, instigate hatred, and even kills them.”

Olli said, “It’s slaughter. This is horrible. Forced organ harvesting is so horrible!” He said the communist party burned down churches built by Finns in the Itäkari region and promoted atheism. He also mentioned the massacres during Mao Zedong’s era and the current persecution by the CCP in Xinjiang, Tibet, and other regions. He praised the practitioners’ courage, “You are doing a great job, and I hope more people will stop and listen to your stories.”

Human Rights Are a Symbol of Civilization

Four tourists from Italy

Four tourists from Italy were drawn by the vigil. Julia said, “Human rights have nothing to do with politics. They are fundamental values that everyone must respect. We should follow human rights’ law and principles.”

Daniela added, “Freedom is important. We cannot force people to have the same views and ideas. Policy should safeguard freedom. We live in a different world. We can freely choose ideas, lifestyles, how we vote, and political standpoints.”

Rosatia said, “Freedom should be the most important value in the world.”

Mossimor added, “Human rights are a symbol of civilization and essential to each one of us.”

“This Is Illegal”

Tarja, a local resident, said, “This is horrible. In Finland, even if it rains now, it’s okay; wet clothes will dry, and if it’s cold, you can wear more clothes and put on gloves to stay warm. But what they are facing [in China] is a matter of life and death.”

A practitioner told her in China, forced organ harvesting is a state-sanctioned, systematic enterprise. Tarja was stunned and said, “The state machine participates in this? It is illegal. We cannot believe in government so blindly.” When a practitioner gave her a hand-made origami lotus flower, Tarja said she knew that the lotus represents purity and hope in Asian culture. She said excitedly, “I can feel the energy here.”

Residents and tourists express support for Falun Dafa at a candlelight vigil in Helsinki.

Andrea, a reporter from Germany, said she knew about the CCP’s persecution of Falun Gong and signed the petition calling for its end. She added, “Good luck!”

Pirkko, a Finnish artist, said she was moved by the atmosphere at the candlelight vigil. She said, “This [persecution] is horrible. I must sign the petition to support you. Everyone should have freedom.” Before leaving, she offered her sincere best wishes: “May all good things be with you. Merry Christmas!”