Dear Sir or Madam,

We are writing to express our opposition to the proposed legislation to implement the Article 23 of the Basic Law.

It is widely known that the proposals, popularly known as the "anti-subversion" law, was written under direct pressure from China and would make it possible "to proscribe an organisation ... affiliated with a Mainland organization which has been proscribed in the Mainland by the Central Authorities" (HK government consultation document).

Hong Kong currently has a legal system modeled on that of the UK. However, if the proposal became law, Hong Kong would have to ban any organisation determined by China as a national security risk, thereby making a mockery of HK's autonomy and the "one country, two systems" principle. All dissident groups could be affected including Falun Gong, democracy activists and Catholics. The anti-subversion law would also put serious restrictions on HK's media with regard to publishing information relating to Beijing. In essence, the law would mean importation to HK of China's totalitarian control and human rights abuse, and HK courts effectively can only watch.

Although Hong Kong is required under its Basic Law to enact "Article-23" legislation, the current proposal is far more draconian than stipulated in the Basic Law. The consultation paper has provoked widespread and strong opposition from key figures in the legal, political, human rights, religious, media and other communities in HK.

We urge the HK government to preserve Hong Kong's autonomy in determining the legal status of Falun Gong and other groups in Hong Kong, to ensure that the rights and freedoms of the Hong Kong people are upheld, and to comply with widespread calls for a white bill for public consultation.

Yours sincerely