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HK Civilian's Human Rights Alliance: The Responsibility and Goal of Hong Kong People at This Historical Moment is to Oppose Article 23
(Clearwisdom.net) The Hong Kong Falun Dafa Association held an open forum regarding
opposition to Article 23. Hong Kong religious leaders, Democratic Party members, human rights
organizations, anti-article 23 groups and politicians were invited. They expressed their opinions on
the article 23 legislation. Mr. Cai Yaochang, who represents the Civilian's Human Rights Alliance,
expressed his highest respect for Falun Gong practitioners. He also pointed out that the priority is
not to let people disobey it if it passes, but to stop article 23 from passing in July in order to
be responsible to ourselves and the next generation. Steadfastness and sacrifice are worth studying. At the beginning, Mr. Cai Yaochang said, "First of all, I'd like to express my personal and
very sincere respect to Falun Gong friends who are attendees and those who are not in attendance.
You really outdo yourselves and others at working hard and steadfastly, a standard which is very
hard to reach for most people in society. Using what we are saying, it is fighting for a belief and
there is no regret even for giving up one's life. It is often said something is easier said than
done but even when the road is difficult and the risk high including your lives you still carry on.
I do admire you very much. I am moved, and all Hong Kong people should really admire your
persistence at striving for your belief, especially those practitioners back home [in China]." Cai Yaochang said, " In 1990, when the Fundamental Law was finalized, many original crimes
were expanded into Article 23, and turned into 7 basic crimes, which were not allowed in the
previous year. One million Hong Kong people took to the streets to support the democratic movement
in Mainland China. Also after 1989, the Support Alliance was not allowed to exist in its current
state, nor was any other organization or movement that was considered to negatively impact the
stability of Mainland China's authority in Hong Kong. On September 24th last year, when Article 23 legislative advisory started, there was a
non-government human rights alliance challenge, which was formed by over 40 NGO's. Cai is one of the
participating organizing members. He finds that this is something he must do, this is also a very
important task in his life. He looks forward to a positive outcome from his efforts. Things that Causes Worry and Uncertainty to All Social Levels Cai Yaochang said, " As a matter of fact, the non-government organizations that reacted to
this Article 23 legislation have a special feature. These 43 groups came from different fields,
including the press, which is rare. The Hong Kong Journalist Association has seldom participated in
a non-government organization alliance. In the past, the association thought that the press should
deal with their task in an independent and just manner. However, concerning Article 23 legislation,
even the forefront journalists agree that it is necessary to stand up and ally with other forces to
oppose this article's passage. From this we can tell that article 23 has caused uncertainty and
worry for people from many walks of life and social groups. For future generations' freedom and human rights Cai Yaochang also added that disagreement with Article 23 represents the position of the majority
of citizens in Hong Kong. There were 60,000 people in the anti-Article 23 parade, which was the
highest participation since 1989. Therefore, Article 23 is absolutely the most important event
facing the Hong Kong people since 1989. It not only impacts the freedom and rights of our
generation, but that of our children and their children and so on. Cai Yaochang thinks that the freedom Hong Kong has traditionally had is the reason that many Hong
Kong citizens consider living in Hong Kong to be so worthwhile. This is also the last defense that
most citizens have. So if a free living environment can't even be maintained, Hong Kong would not be
a place that people would consider worthy to live in, therefore, Article 23 concerns all Hong Kong
people. Only good control over today leaves hope for tomorrow Cai Yaochang emphasizes that people should not consider that they will lose, or Article 23 will
certainly pass, then wait for people to disobey it. He believes that those who don't defend hope are
those who don't want to take control of today. Therefore, what we can do today is not to let this
evil article pass. The hope remains that everyone in every different position could continue passing
on this information on in different ways. He certainly hopes that more and more citizens use
different means, including parades, and assemblies, to pass it to their friends, and their contacts
overseas. Let them pay attention to the current situation in Hong Kong, and stop Article 23 from
passing this coming July. This is the responsibility and goal at this historical moment. Hope all of
us strive forward together. Posting date: 3/11/2003 |