Civic groups warn Hong Kong security laws will curtail rights

04 March 2003
Friday, 21-Feb-2003 7:40PM

Copyright 2003 by Agence France-Presse (via ClariNet)

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HONG KONG, Feb 22 (AFP) - Proposed anti-subversion laws in Hong Kong will severely undermine human rights and destablise society,public interest groups warned in a statement received Saturday.

The proposed national security laws would also erode the "one country, two systems" under which China had guaranteed freedoms in the former British colony, a joint public statement issued by Amnesty International (Hong Kong) and six other groups said.

"As the proposals stand, the outcome of the legislation will be an erosion of 'One Country, Two Systems' and a decrease in the protection and promotion of fundamental human rights in Hong Kong.

"We also remind the government that such legislation will potentially destabilise Hong Kong society, criminalise the legitimate actions of an independent civil society and further undermine Hong Kong's reputation as a World City," the coalition said.

Under Article 23 of the Basic Law -- the territory's mini-constitution -- Hong Kong is obliged to pass laws banning treason, sedition, subversion and the theft of state secrets.

The controversial bill goes before the Legislative Council on February 26, albeit in a watered down form from its original draft following protests during a three-month consultation that ended on December 24.

Despite the dilution of the bill, a proposal to ban groups outlawed in mainland China on national security grounds was retained which the group said went "far beyond the terms of Article 23".

"These proposals appear to allow for PRC (People's Republic of China) concepts of national security to have precedence in Hong Kong... which given the widespread restrictions on human rights on the Chinese mainland it is likely that many organisations may be proscribed in Hong Kong," the Civic groups added.

Human rights and pro-democracy groups also fear China could use the new law to suppress freedoms including those of media, speech and religion.

The proposed new laws have proved deeply divisive because of concerns that basic rights would be curtailed, prompting mass protests in December both for and against the legislation.

The statement was also signed by China Labour Bulletin, Human Rights in China, Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions, Hong Kong Christian Institute, Joint Committee for Amendment of Public Order Ordinance and the Student Christian Movement of Hong Kong.
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