The Human Rights Torch begins its journey in Athens. (The Epoch Times)

Human Rights Torch Relay in Munich (Exclusive NTDTV Video)

On the morning of August 25 at 11:00 a.m., the Human Rights Torch Relay (HRTR) that was lit in Athens and then passed through Berlin, arrived in Munich’s Olympic Park. Mr. Volker, a member of the German branch of the Coalition to Investigate the Persecution of Falun Gong (CIPFG) received the torch from seven-year-old Chen Fadu. A crowd people from all over Germany watched the Human Rights Torch Relay as it passed through the city of Munich and arrived at Marienplatz Square where the city hall is located.

This event was organized by CIPFG, the International Society for Human Rights (IGFM), the Union of Victim Associations of Communist Tyranny (UOKG) and the Library Association to Commemorate the Victims of Communist Tyranny, along with the Federation for Democratic China, the Germany Students Union and the Inner Mongolia People’s Party.

Before the relay started, an open letter from the relay organizers to Dr. Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany, who visited China on August 26, was read to the crowd. The letter says, “The Chinese communist regime is attempting to use economic benefits to persuade Western governments to abandon their values and ignore continuing human rights abuses in China. The Olympic Games has become their tool of persuasion. The Chinese regime now continue their cruel acts of human rights abuse behind the shield of the five rings symbolic of the Olympic Games. The communist authorities have not kept their promise of improving the human rights situation in China. Subsequent to Beijing winning the bid for the 2008 Olympic Games, the human rights situation in China has in many aspects worsened rather than improved.”

As for people like us living in Western society, we cannot remain completely unmoved by what is happening today in China. A crime of great magnitude is now happening in China—live organ harvesting from innocent people for profit is now occurring in the country. At every moment, our Chinese friends are in danger: their organs such as liver, kidney or heart may be harvested by force at any time.”

Mr. Thierach, Director of the Munich International Society for Human Rights, said in the relay, that when the International Olympic Committee awarded the 2008 Olympic Games to Beijing, they were hoping that they would see human rights improvements in China. But people have lost their hope, when now six years after being awarded the games, human rights conditions there have gotten only worse. Many people now believe that the 2008 Olympic Games should not be held in China.

“The Chinese communist regime is attempting to use economic benefits to persuade Western governments to abandon their values and ignore continuing human rights abuses in China.”

Twin sisters Lisa and Sonia, 14 years old and from Munich, received a pamphlet regarding the Human Rights Torch Relay arrival in Munich. They decided to take part in the relay. They said, “We are here today to run for the improvement of human rights in China and to call attention to the continuing persecution of Falun Gong.”

Mr. Broehl also received a Human Rights Torch Relay pamphlet recently. He decided to attend the relay in Munich. One year ago, he had received a Falun Gong pamphlet describing live organ harvesting for profit. “When I heard that this event was about calling for improving human rights conditions in China, I thought that I should do something,” said Mr. Broehl.

The organizers said that the Human Rights Torch Relay will make its way to over 100 cities in 30 countries across five continents in the year ahead. The purpose of the Human Rights Torch Relay is to call the world’s attention to the fact of the continuing abuse of human rights in China.