Information about Article 23 and Suggestions about What to Do

In March 2002, during the two meetings of the People's Congress and the People's Political Consultative Conference in China, the representatives from Hong Kong were forced to promise that the Hong Kong government would take a series of actions to ban Falun Gong. Jiang and Luo's criminal group primarily wanted to ban Falun Gong in Hong Kong by using Article 23. However, Article 23 is aimed not only at Falun Gong, but also at human rights and democracy for all Hong Kong citizens. It can be said that in order to persecute Falun Gong, Jiang's regime would not hesitate to sacrifice the future of seven million people in Hong Kong.

If all Falun Dafa practitioners in the world can recognise the conspiracy behind Article 23 and grasp the chance to clarify the truth with rationality, wisdom, and benevolence, from different perspectives and different levels, then we can let more people be benevolently changed through the truth, so that they will be sincerely willing to make a rational decision for the future of Hong Kong and themselves.

Some details of how Article 23 targets Falun Gong practitioners in Hong Kong

Banned mainland organisations

There are many banned organisations in Mainland China. According to the draft law, any group of two or more persons, regardless of location, will be considered a "mainland organization" if it was formed or established on the mainland or if its main place of business is in the mainland. Falun Dafa was introduced in Mainland China in 1992 and the large majority of practitioners live in the mainland. Many other NGOs in Hong Kong fall under the same definition.

Closed-door hearing

The law allows trial by jury if any group appeals against a prohibition order. However, the details in the text state that the Court may order all or any portion of the public to be excluded during any part of the hearing, which paves the way for secret court trials. China also uses closed-door hearings on Falun Gong practitioners and other dissidents. For example, Wang Bingzhang had half a day of closed-door hearings and then his trial was over. The outside world has no clue what proof there was, and what he had done to violate the law.

Secret Trials

The law text also states that the hearing can "take place without the appellant being given full particulars of the reasons for the proscription" and that the Court can "hold proceedings in the absence of any person, including the appellant and any legal representative appointed by him". These provisions actually allow the HK government to quash appeals by banned organizations through holding secret trials, without informing the appellant why his organisation is banned and without the presence of the appellant or their lawyer.

Some important dates

24 December 2002

End of the Consultation Period for Article 23.

13 February 2003

The Hong Kong government published the full text of the draft law to implement Article 23, which it hopes will come into force as soon as possible. The full text is extremely difficult to find on the HK government website. In two days, the HK government changed the Internet address of the full text twice making it almost inaccessible to the public.

23 February 2003

Falun Dafa experience sharing conference and parade in Hong Kong

Tuesday 25 Feb 2003 Candle light vigil by 43 NGO

Civil Human Rights Front (CHRF) is a coalition of 43 NGOs in Hong Kong. Last year, the SAR Government proposed legislation under Article 23 of the Basic Law. After an inadequate consultation process, the government released the National Security (Legislative Provisions) Bill this February, ignoring the people's request for further consultation. CHRF strongly condemns the SAR Government for this undemocratic behaviour.

Unite against the Article 23 legislation! Join the Candlelight Vigil:
Date: Tuesday, 25 February 2003
Time: 7:30pm
Venue: Chater Garden, Central, Hong Kong

26 February 2003

The Government would introduce a "blue bill" to the Legislative Council (Legco) after the consultation period and start the legislative process. According to observers the bill will get passed before the legislative year ends in July next year. The majority of the seats in the Legco are not democratically elected.

What to do?

Protest against the bill by writing to:

Mr. Tung Chee Hwa
Chief Executive
Email - [email protected]

Security Bureau
(Attn: AS(F)2, F Division)
6th Floor,
East Wing,
Central Government Offices
Lower Albert Road,
Central,
Hong Kong.
By Fax: +852-2521-2848
By Email - [email protected]

Mrs. Regina Ip
Secretary for Security
Hong Kong Security Bureau,
AS(F)2, F Division,
6th Floor
East Wing
Lower Albert Road,
Central,
Hong Kong
Tel.: +852 2810 2327
Fax: +852-2521-2848
Email - [email protected]

Miss Elsie Leung Oi-sie
The Secretary for Justice
Email - [email protected]

Dr. Patrick Ho Chi-ping
Secretary for Home Affairs
Email - [email protected]

To find the details of your country’s Embassy in Hong Kong, click here.

Reference:

http://www.article23.org.hk/english/main.htm
http://www.clearharmony.net
http://www.legco.gov.hk/english/index.htm