Falun Gong Protests Tung's Slanderous Label

About 120 Falun Gong members on Friday (June 15) marched to government headquarters, where they sat outside practicing meditation exercises and denouncing Hong Kong Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa's remarks on Falun Gong as an "[slanderous term removed]" on Thursday in a question-and-answer session with lawmakers in the Legislative Council.

"We're shocked at the comments made by Mr Tung yesterday and we're here to express our objections," said Falun Gong spokeswoman Sharon Xu. "We're talking about freedom of conscience."

"All we do is exercise either at home or in a park to improve our health, and study the teachings to upgrade our moral standards. As a result, we have become mentally and physically healthy people. Mr Tung, why is that evil?" the Falun Gong group said in a petition letter.

A CNN's article reports, "[Tung's] comments have alarmed human rights activists who are concerned Hong Kong may move to limit religious freedom and toe China's line.

The Hong Kong Human Rights Monitor group said it was gravely concerned by Tung's comments. "The only plausible reason for Tung's escalating attacks is to appease Beijing, which recently stepped up its repression of the Falun Gong," said Law Yuk kai, the group's director.

In response to Tung's remarks that "It [Falun Gong] is very well organized, has bountiful financial resources, and is a political organization," Law said if the criteria for an "evil cult" were that it was organized with financial resources, then the Government must brand the Catholic Church, as well as other organizations with the same label. Law also commented, "Such criteria are totally arbitrary and it was irresponsible for Tung to make such a statement."

Pro-democracy lawmakers expressed concern that Beijing is influencing Mr. Tung's decision making for Hong Kong, a Special Administrative Region of China. They said there is no evidence to call the group an "[slanderous term removed]."

Legislative Councilor Cyd Ho raised concerns over the Chief Executive's comments that the Falun Gong would be monitored closely. She said Tung's statement was damaging the freedoms of religion and assembly.

Democratic Party chairman Martin Lee Chu-ming said the Democrats felt "surprise, shock and regret" at Mr Tung's statement. "Today, he names Falun Gong as an "[slanderous term removed]"; tomorrow, he can name other organizations, including the Catholic Church," said Mr Lee. "Since he said he would not enact an evil cult law now, then under what legal basis can he call a body an evil cult?'' the barrister asked. Lee also raised the concern that "It's no longer the rule of law in Hong Kong, it's the rule of Tung in Hong Kong."

Several Hong Kong newspapers criticized Tung on Friday.

In an editorial headlined "The [party's name omitted] looks more like an evil cult than the Falun Gong," the widely-circulated Apple Daily said: "What's frightening is...Mr Tung is paving the way for policies or laws to suppress or ban the Falun Gong."

The South China Morning Post said Tung's remarks were "alarming and unnecessary" and "would raise doubts about Hong Kong's willingness to protect freedoms of religion and assembly."