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Article 23 Threatens Human Rights and Freedom of Press, and Could be Used to Suppress Dissident Groups (Clearwisdom.net) The Article 23 Concern Group in Hong Kong pointed out yesterday that the
proposed Article 23 legislation violates the principles of the Basic Law and damages human rights.
The group also criticized the government's refusal to publish the draft in the form of a White Bill
since this is ignoring public opinion. Another group, representatives of the Democratic Party,
marched to the government headquarters to express their opposition to Article 23. They are concerned
about the likelihood of dissident groups being suppressed and the impact on freedom of the press.
The representatives burned the Blue Bill document to express their dissatisfaction. Yeung Sum: Anger about the government's refusal to issue White Bill Around 30 Democratic Party representatives marched to the government headquarters yesterday
afternoon to oppose Article 23. Democratic Party Chairman Yeung Sum expressed his anger about the
government's refusal to issue a White Bill. He worried that if "public interest" could not
be used as the defending reason for disclosing certain information, it would definitely impact the
freedom of press. As for "banned organizations," he believed that if the final court
decided to have a closed-door hearing, it would become a "secret trial." Sixty percent of Hong Kong people still feel worried The Democratic Party visited over 600 people. 60% of them felt that the Blue Bill had not been
able to ease their worries, and agreed that the public should vote for passing or rejecting Article
23 legislation. The Democratic Party requested the government to cancel the Article 23 draft's two
rounds of readings and to do another public consultation. Note: White Bill, a legislation that requires further consultation Blue Bill, a legislation that can be passed without further consultation Posting date: 2/21/2003 |