overseas media on Falun Gong

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

"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 other's freedom and rights and the smashing of social order,'' said Sun Guohua, a professor in the 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 it 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 Falungong last October.

The Falungong is definitely a cult according to the law, Sun said.

It is reported that over 1,500 people have died from practicing Falungong.

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

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

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

"It is only the plenary meeting of the National People's Congress that can amend laws made by its standing committee,'' Sun said. "The law must be observed before it is amended.''

(China Daily)