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Opposition Around the World to the Legislation of Article 23 in Hong Kong
(Clearwisdom.net)
Canadian MP Svend J Robinson Writes to the Minister of
Foreign Affairs, Calling for the Canadian Government to Oppose Article 23
December 12, 2002
Dear Bill,
I have recently been contacted by a number of Falun Gong
practitioners and other concerned Canadians regarding the proposed enactment of
"Article 23," also known as the "anti-subversion" law, in Hong Kong. As noted by
Amnesty International and others, the proposed legislation, if passed into law,
would seriously compromise the human rights and civil liberties enjoyed by the
people of Hong Kong.
The Government of Hong Kong, in its proposals for legislation
under Article 23, appears to be moving away from international human rights law,
and threatening groups who would exercise their fundamental rights to freedom of
thought, conscience, religion, and peaceful association with possible
imprisonment.
As you are aware, when Hong Kong was returned to Chinese
authority in 1997, it was with the assurance that it would retain considerable
political autonomy under the "One Country, Two Systems" plan. Unfortunately, the
proposed legislation under Article 23 would dramatically undermine this plan, by
outlawing in Hong Kong groups that are outlawed under the People's Republic of
China Central Government. This threat to civil liberties in Hong Kong is of
legitimate concern to political and religious groups in that territory and
around the world.
I would urge you to investigate this matter immediately, and
to communicate to the Government of Hong Kong the deep concerns of the Canadian
people for the protection of the democratic freedoms of all people in Hong Kong.
I look forward to your earliest possible reply to this
important matter.
Sincerely yours,
Svend J Robinson, MP Burnaby-Douglas
Volunteers Launch the "Blue Butterflies Signature-Collection
Campaign" in Toronto Canada to Oppose Article 23.
December 13, 2002: The Preparatory Committee for the "Global
Coalition Against Article 23 Legislation" was set up on December 4, 2002, in
Washington, D.C. Volunteers in Toronto, which has the densest population of
Chinese in Canada, launched the "Blue Butterflies Signature-Collection Campaign"
to oppose Article 23.
They are going to many large malls to collect signatures
while wearing blue butterfly armbands. The blue color symbolizes freedom, and
the butterfly symbolizes peace. The purpose is to involve the public in opposing
Article 23, in order to maintain a free and peaceful Hong Kong, in accordance
with the agreement made on Hong Kong's return to Chinese authority. Any citizen
from any nation around the world who cares about Hong Kong's future is welcome
to sign.
The consultation period for Article 23 of the Hong Kong Basic
Law will end on December 24, 2002. The Canadian representatives of the Coalition
will hand in the signatures to the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in
Toronto, which will then transfer them to the Hong Kong Security Bureau. The
signatures will also be sent to the Canadian Government.
The "Global Coalition Against Article 23 Legislation" will
also hold a parade on Saturday, December 14, 2002, in the afternoon.
Opponents of Article 23 Hold Parades and Rallies Throughout
Canada
On December 14, 2002, the "Global Coalition Against Article
23 Legislation" and people from all walks of life interested in maintaining Hong
Kong's freedom held parades and rallies in Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal, to
support the gathering in Washington, D.C. on that same day. These cities have a
very large Chinese population. The non-governmental Human Rights Front will also
have a large parade on Sunday in Hong Kong.
The "Against Article 23" parade was held in Toronto, at 2:00
pm on Saturday. There were about four hundred participants, including
representatives from Canada-Hong Kong Link, the Toronto Association for
Democracy in China, Dr. So Kengchit, and Falun Gong practitioners.
In Vancouver, the "Global Coalition Against Article 23
Legislation" held an "Against Article 23" rally in front of the Vancouver Art
Gallery. In Montreal, at 1:00 pm on Sunday in Chinatown, the "Against Article
23" rally was at 2:00 pm. There was also a parade.
Taiwan Falun Dafa Association Calls on People from All Walks
of Life to Oppose the Legislation of the Article 23 in Hong Kong.
The intention of the appeal is to point out that, although
the Chinese government promised to keep the policy of "One Country, Two Systems"
unchanged for fifty years, in only the fifth year, the proposed legislation of
Article 23 subverts the initial agreement and will leave the citizens of Hong
Kong living in fear. It crushes freedom and abolishes the rule of law that Hong
Kong has enjoyed for a century. It also severely damages the international
commercial interests of Hong Kong.
People from all walks of life in Hong Kong, from lawyers to
taxi-drivers, from pastors to university professors, from the international
banks to the medium and small size enterprises, are all involved in an intense
publicity campaign to safeguard the "freedom without fear" that the city has
long enjoyed. Taiwan has a very close relationship with Hong Kong, both in the
daily life and in the commercial contacts between its citizens. We call upon all
circles of society to firmly oppose the legislation of Article 23, which will
undermine democracy and the economic health of Hong Kong. Hong Kong does not
need Article 23, and Taiwan opposes it.
The Hong Kong government's proposed legislation of Article 23
might emanate from Beijing with Falun Gong as the intended target. However human
rights knows no boundary. In the global village, many groups and many economic
interests are so closely related. The tourist industry and the economies of
Taiwan and Hong Kong are especially closely related.
We call upon all freedom loving people everywhere to
immediately express your opposition to Article 23 to the Hong Kong Legislative
Council, the Hong Kong Security Bureau, and the Hong Kong Justice Department
Today, if you safeguard the human rights and the freedom of
others, then in the future, others will safeguard and protect your freedom and
your human rights.
Sincerely,
The Taiwan Falun Dafa Association
December 12, 2002.
An Open Letter from the Australia Falun Dafa Association to
the Hong Kong SAR Government about the Legislation of Article 23
Ever since the Hong Kong government introduced Article 23 for
consultation on September 24, 2002, it has received an intense response. We also
feel deep concern about this attempt to modify the law.
All of the concepts and terms used in the Article, such as
"state secret," "subversion," "treason," and "sedition" are the same as the
charges used presently in the People Republic of China (PRC). For example, such
terms as to "destroy state safety and stability," "divulge state secrets," and
"disturb the social order," are used to arrest people who hold different
opinions, or to prohibit or ban organizations that the PRC opposes. In the PRC
peaceful appeals to government leaders are seen as "counter-revolutionary
crimes" that are anti-government. Anyone who appeals can be jailed at any time.
Zhu Keming, who is a permanent resident in Hong Kong and also a Falun Gong
practitioner, was arrested by the public security bureau and sentenced to five
years' imprisonment for suing Jiang Zemin using procedures that are provided
under the law. He was severely tortured in jail. The legislation of Article 23
will also enable the government of Hong Kong to use the law to punish any
organization, media, or person who is not approved by the central authority in
China.
Millions of Falun Gong practitioners in China, simply because
they refuse to give up their belief in "Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance,"
are charged with the crimes of "damaging the State's safety and stability,"
"threatening society," and "disturbing the social order." They are brainwashed
and tortured in psychiatric hospitals, illegally jailed, sentenced, sent to
labor camps, and even tortured to death. Over three years of persecution has
demonstrated the true nature of the "state safety and stability" of this regime
of tyranny.
According to Article 23 of the Basic Law "to prohibit foreign
political organizations or bodies from conducting political activities in the
Region, and to prohibit political organizations or bodies of the Region from
establishing ties with foreign political organizations or bodies," will result
in an unlawful ban of Falun Gong in Hong Kong. In fact, the nature of Article 23
is all too clear now that the 16 Hong Kong Falun Gong practitioners have been
found guilty of blocking the street., and the Falun Gong blacklist has came to
light during Jiang's visit to Hong Kong in June. Jiang's dictatorship is
impatient to spread the persecution of Falun Gong to Hong Kong and then export
it from Hong Kong to western democratic countries. However, it is not only the
peaceful Falun Gong practitioners who will be attacked, but also many other
peaceful organizations. In fact any person who holds a different opinion may
come under attack.. The human rights and freedom of any foreigner who lives in
and does business in Hong Kong will also be threatened and attacked.
The legislation of Article 23 influences not only the
interests of the seven million people in Hong Kong, but also the common
interests of the world's people. The legislation of Article 23 means that the
autocracy, totalitarianism, tyranny, and tragedy of all that is the PRC will be
repeated in Hong Kong. It means the complete abandonment of the Chinese
government's policy of "One Country, Two Systems without change for fifty
years." The good reputation and image of Hong Kong as the "pearl of the orient",
and its freedom, democracy and prosperity will no longer exist. Article 23 will
be the final crushing blows to an economy that has already been in decline for
the past five years and to the freedom, democracy and safety Hong Kong still
enjoys today.
We sincerely hope that the Hong Kong SAR government will
think about the fundamental interests of the seven million people of Hong Kong,
and about the democracy, freedom and prosperity of the people of Hong Kong. We
hope that the Hong Kong SAR government will rationally and firmly refuse to pass
the legislation of Article 23 of the Basic Law.
Australia Falun Dafa Association
December 14, 2002
The Friends of Falun Gong in British Columbia Issue a Press
release About the Legislation of Hong Kong Article 23
The Friends of Falun Gong in British Columbia issued a press
release reporting on the much-debated legislation of Article 23. Article 23 has
been written because of strong pressure from China. If it is enacted, Hong Kong
will have to ban all organizations that the Chinese government decides are
detrimental to the state's safety. This completely contradicts the principle of
"One Country, Two Systems" and the autonomy guaranteed to Hong Kong when it was
turned over to Chinese authority.
The press release also pointed out that under this law, Falun
Gong practitioners would become the first victims of the legislation. Falun Gong
is a peaceful cultivation for both mind and body, based on the principle of
"Truthfulness, Compassion, Tolerance." This practice has been well received and
is highly respected all over the world. Because of the severe persecution by
Jiang's Regime, in all the places within its reach, Falun Gong has been
slandered and persecuted. Falun Gong practitioners, and all those who respect
freedom of belief worldwide, would not like to see an extension of the
persecution and of attacks on people for exercising their basic human rights.
The press release calls upon the Canadian Chinese to sign
their names on an appeal letter on the Internet organized by over 30
non-governmental organizations. The address for the Internet site is:
http://www.article23.org.hk/english/main.htm
Let the whole world unite in opposition to this overt
suppression of democracy and freedom.
Posting date: 12/19/2002 |