Expert denounces Falun Gong

Falun Gong followers have broken Chinese law and the Falun Dafa Study Society is an unlawful organization, a leading legal expert said yesterday.

"Man has the right to choose anything from the way of life to religious beliefs, but this choice should not be based on interference of others' freedom and rights and the smashing of social order," said Sun Guohua, a professor at Beijing-based Renmin University of China.

"Personal choice is restricted by laws which are the reflection of public interests," Sun said.

"Laws, once they are passed, must be observed whether you agree with them or not," Sun said.

China's top legislative body, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, adopted a resolution concerning the banning and punishment of cults like Falun Gong last October.

Falun Gong is definitely a cult according to the law, Sun said.

It has been reported that more than 1,500 people have died from practicing Falun Gong.

The country's criminal code will deal with crimes committed by Falun Gong ringleaders, Sun said.

According to legal opinions released by the Supreme People's Court and the Supreme People's Procuratorate in October, cult leaders may be prosecuted for murder, intentional bodily harm, rape, fraud or endangering national security.

Sun said since China has a traditional continental law system, courts cannot change laws by their own interpretation.

(China Daily 2000/07/27)