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Amnesty International Issues Formal Response to Article 23 Proposals Amnesty International has issued its formal response to the Hong Kong SAR
Government Consultation Document on proposals to implement Article 23 of the
Basic Law.
The response stated, "We believe that the legislation as proposed goes far
beyond what is needed to implement Article 23 of the Basic Law and may increase
the limits and restrictions of fundamental human rights."
"Amnesty International is disappointed that the need to implement Article 23
of the Basic Law has not led to the removal of archaic laws and the development
of legislation in line with human rights and international laws and standards.
Instead the authorities have included more offences, many of which have the
potential to conflict with human rights standards. The authorities have also
proposed the introduction of offences such as sedition which have been abolished
in many countries."
"Amnesty International is concerned that the government has presented a draft
consultation document and not a draft White Bill which means that the public
still have little information as to how the Bill may be worded. Amnesty
International is calling for a longer public consultation period and a White
Bill to be presented before the more final Blue Bill."
"The linking of proscribed organizations on the mainland to organizations in
Hong Kong goes far beyond the terms of Article 23 and the proposals allow for
PRC central government concepts of national security to have precedence in the
HK SAR. This has far reaching consequences and may mean that if an organization
is banned in the PRC on national security grounds, then it may be banned in the
HK SAR as well."
"Given the widespread restrictions on basic human rights on the Chinese
mainland and the difficulties for some groups and organizations to obtain
official registration - which has often led to the arrest and detention of
people involved in those groups - it is feared that many organizations would be
proscribed in the HK SAR. Groups of Mainland Chinese dissidents in Hong Kong may
well be at particular risk and face unnecessary restrictions on their work."
Posting date: 12/5/2002 |