Voices of Support, Awards and Recognition
Local Government | Government Statements | Politicians | European Parliament | United Nations | NGOs | Others
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UK: Leader of Liberal Democrat Party Takes Concerns Over Article 23 "very seriously"
2002-12-24"I appreciate you taking the time write to me and am very sympathetic with the points that you raise. I would like to assure you that my colleagues and I in the Liberal Democrats take your concerns very seriously..." -
Letter from the German Association of Civil Servants Appealing Against Article 23
2002-12-24'Article 23 will endanger the integrity of Hong Kongs [financial and judicial] systems and will block the free flow and exchange of information and ideas. By doing this, Article 23 will endanger economic vitality and stability in Hong Kong, things which have always been the mainstay and strength of the region.' -
Ireland: Letter from the Irish Minister of State
2002-12-22'This government, together with our EU partners, takes very seriously the human rights concerns of Falun Gong members. Both the Taoiseach [Irish equivalent to the Prime Minister] and Minister Cowen have raised the issue on a number of occasions with the Chinese authorities...The rights of Falun Gong members have also been raised through European Union channels..Ireland has also pursued this issue through the United Nations.' -
Speech by Roger Helmer MEP at a Press Conference in Strasbourg (photo)
2002-12-21'I am very concerned about the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners that is taking place in the PRC and obviously therefore I share the concern expressed in this demonstration today at the risk that the proposed article 23 legislation in Hong Kong may leads to repression in Hong Kong itself.' -
European Parliament Resolution on Hong Kong
2002-12-21 -
UK: More MPs Raise Concern about Article 23 Legislation in Hong Kong
2002-12-21Oona King MP wrote on 19 November: "I agree with the [UK] Government in opposing the Chinese suppression of religions and practices such as Falun Gong." -
Ireland: Letter to Two Irish Newspapers about Article 23
2002-12-21'The guise of secession and subversion, combined with increased police power, would turn Hong Kong into a police state. Not only this, but questions would arise over the safety of the media, business and other sectors of society.' -
Germany: Calling for Release of Xiong Wei on International Human Rights Day
2002-12-21When talking about the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners, the president of the International Human Rights Association condemned the Chinese government as a dictatorship without morals, and the persecution as a vicious circle of violence. -
MEPs Adopt Resolution Expressing Concern Over Article 23
2002-12-20MEPs expressed concern over the Article 23 legislation in Hong Kong by adopting a resolution emphasising that the future development of relations with China hinges on respect for the full autonomy of Hong Kong and the freedom of the Hong Kong citizens. -
More MEPs, including a Vice-chairman of the European Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee, express concern over Article 23 legislation
2002-12-20"This is a very important issue and one that I have been following closely...If this particular change [toward more draconian laws] does occur as a result of pressure from the Chinese Government, I will make representation to the British Government. Certain moves have already been made regarding this subject." -
Former leader of the Conservative Party Writes Letter to Practitioner Regarding Article 23
2002-12-20"I was interested to read your comments about Hong Kong and the introduction of Article 23 and sympathise with your concerns. I appreciate your letting me know and I will follow further developments carefully." -
Värmlands Folkbladet (Swedish newspaper): When Will Todays World Wake Up?
2002-12-20'Why does [jiang Zemin] want to persecute innocent people? Perhaps because he is jealous of Falun Gong which touched peoples hearts, as 100 million people began to practise Falun gong in only several years and started to follow the principles of Truthfulness, Compassion, Forbearance.' -
UK: MP Strongly Warns Hong Kong's Tung Not to Use Article 23 Against Falun Gong
2002-12-19"I have received a number of representations expressing concern about the proposed Article that would appear to take your government one step closer to proscribing Falun Gong as an illegal organisation. You will be well aware of the hostility to any such a move that is shared across the international community." -
UK: Parliamentarians Raised Serious Concerns Over Article 23 in a House of Lords Session
2002-12-18My Lords, do we not have a continuing obligation under the Sino-British Joint Declaration to ensure that legislation passed in the Hong Kong SAR is compatible with the international covenants and thus with the Basic Law? Will the Government therefore suggest to the Hong Kong SAR that the draft legislation be submitted for an opinion to the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva before it is laid before the legislature? -
UK: Shadow Foreign Secretary is "pressing the Hong Kong authorities very strongly to take seriously all views expressed"
2002-12-17A senior Conservative Party MP was contacted by UK Falun Gong practitioners regarding their concerns about the Article 23 legislation. He replied that he and his colleagues and his colleagues "saw the problems at first hand during a recent visit to Hong Kong. They are pressing the Hong Kong authorities very strongly to take seriously all views expressed."