Members of the meditation sect Falun Gong, which has been banned on mainland China, yesterday said Hong Kong Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa (董建華) defamed the group by calling it "a cult."
"It is absolutely a vicious slander," said Falun Gong spokeswoman Hui Yee-han. "Not only has he defamed us, he is also challenging the rule of law in Hong Kong and threatening the freedom of thought of Hong Kong people."
Tung intensified the government attack on Falun Gong by telling lawmakers on Thursday that the spiritual group, which remains legal in Hong Kong, is a politically motivated and well organized cult.
The statement went beyond his previous remarks that Falun Gong has the "characteristics of a cult."
Tung said the government will keep a close eye on Falun Gong, but stopped short of saying he would outlaw the sect, which followers characterize as peaceful, quiet and orderly.
Hui said the group, which has around 500 members in Hong Kong, is "exploring the possibility" of suing Tung for defamation.
"His remarks will bring an unimaginable amount of damage," Hui said. "Those who don't understand would be stirred up by his words, which lead to misunderstanding, discrimination and hostility."
It is unclear whether Tung can be sued as he is immune from criminal and civil prosecution over remarks made in Legislative Council meetings.
Martin Lee, chairman of the Democratic Party and a senior counsel who specializes in defamation cases, said Tung would not enjoy such a privilege if he repeats his words in other public meetings.
"The moment he steps out [of the Legislative Council meetings] ... he is liable to libel, like anybody else," Lee said.
Pro-Beijing alliances have called for some sort of restriction against Falun Gong, which has protested Beijing's brutal crackdown of the group in China.
Pro-democracy activists and lawmakers regard the Falun Gong issue as one of the biggest tests of Hong Kong's freedoms of speech and religion since it reverted from British to Chinese sovereignty in July 1997.
"There is no doubt what Beijing thinks about Falun Gong, on the other hand, the Falun Gong people in Hong Kong, which is a separate place in a second system, have not done anything criminal," Lee said.
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