RFA (Radio Free Asia): Several Highly Experienced and Respected Lawyers in Hong Kong Appeal to Local Residents to Participate in Anti-Article 23 March

(Clearwisdom.net on June 14, 2003) Radio Free Asia reported that on June 13, 2003, a group of several highly experienced and respected Hong Kong lawyers, deeply concerned about Article 23 and dissatisfied with the National Security Bill, especially because the Hong Kong government refused to fully respect public opinion, called upon residents to take to the streets to participate in the Anti-Article 23 March on July 1, 2003.

Attorney Audrey EU is a member of the above-mentioned anti-Article 23 group that attended Friday's Article 23 seminar organized by the Hong Kong Bar Association and two Hong Kong law schools. She said that since the government is not willing to listen to the residents' opinions or allow a public vote on Article 23, the only peaceful means of expression is to take to the streets.

Audrey EU, who is also a legislative council member, did not attend the National Security (Legislative Provisions) Bill meeting held in the Legislative Council in order to attend the seminar. She said that since the government refused to listen to public opinion, it made no difference whether she attended the government's meeting or not.

The members of the Hong Kong Legislative Council started reviewing the National Security (Legislative Provisions) Bill on Friday. Hong Kong's Democratic Party wanted to see large-scale modifications that included deleting the whole article of banning the organizations that are dangerous to the national security of the Mainland. The Democratic Party also hoped that it could be made clear that crimes are committed only when violence and war are used to overthrow the central government or divide the government. At the same time, it also requested to add a three-year time limit for being charged with a crime and that public interest can be a legitimate reason for any organisation revealing state secrets without authorization.

Chinese version available at http://www.minghui.org/mh/articles/2003/6/14/52245.html

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