Thursday, May 24, 2001

The security chief yesterday denied there was any immediate plan to outlaw Falun Gong in the SAR as [group] members urged the Government not to bow to pressure from mainland leaders. "The Government has never said it will enact legislation," Secretary for Security Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee told the Legislative Council.

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Fears of a ban were fanned when the Government confirmed it was studying overseas anti-xx legislation. [...]

About 25 Falun Gong members conducted meditation exercises outside the Legco building yesterday and handed out petitions, pamphlets and CD-Roms to legislators.

They raised fears that "the Government is bowing to the pressure of a few leaders on the mainland and following their totalitarian order, against the best interests of Hong Kong".

A spokesman for Falun Gong in Hong Kong, Kan Hung-cheung, said their action was prompted by Mr Tung's Jonestown comparison. Falun Gong has denied those involved in the Tiananmen incident were [group] members.

"We regret that Mr Tung has made such a remark. It undermines the rule of law and the principle of 'one country, two systems'," Mr Kan said.

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