Publications, Press Releases
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Radio Free Asia: High level Diplomats in Greece and UK Criticise Article 23 Legislation in Hong Kong
2003-07-04
'According to a report by the Associated Press, this declaration indicated that although the Hong Kong government has carried out amendments to the clauses of Article 23, the European Union is “highly disappointed that the clauses about banning organisations have not been amended.” The declaration called on the Hong Kong government and the Legislation Council to ensure that the new legislation is consistent with the principles of “one country, two systems.”' -
The Times: Protests over new security law halt Hong Kong
2003-07-04'“Return rule to the people,” the demonstrators chanted in response to the proposed new law, known as Article 23, which will allow the Hong Kong Government to outlaw local groups with ties to any organisation banned on the mainland. It will also give police the power to conduct searches without a warrant and impose a ban on disclosing state secrets. ' -
Reuters: Hong Kong Faces Growing Anger Over Security Bill
2003-07-04'Pro-Beijing lawmakers and political commentators called for Tung to listen to the city's seven million residents after a massive street protest on Tuesday...Several key pro-government blocs in the legislature are now reviewing their positions after the demonstration. While no one expects dominant pro-government groups to join democrats and vote against the bill, analysts say the outcome could be close if Tung does not offer some goodwill gestures. ' -
Far East Economy Review: No Faith in The Article
2003-07-04'While the new security laws were clearly the catalyst for the huge protest, which stunned organizers and the government alike, it was clear that popular discontent with Tung and his team over the recent Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome crisis was a major factor in the turnout. Hong Kong has been declared free of the deadly virus for now but the local economy remains in the doldrums, unemployment has risen above 8% and a grinding decline in the property market continues to erode the wealth of homeowners. Slogans on posters, banners and T-shirts, some uncharacteristically crude for Hong Kong, ridiculed Tung and his top officials and called on them to resign.' -
Agence France Presse (AFP): Hong Kong Protests a Wake Up Call for Government: Analysts
2003-07-03'Hong Kong's massive street protest against proposed anti-subversion legislation Tuesday was a wake-up call that neither the government, Beijing nor the democracy movement could afford to overlook, analysts said. Up to 500,000 people are estimated to have taken to the streets to vent their anger at the proposed Article 23 law they fear will curb civil freedoms and gag free speech.' -
Agence France Presse (AFP): Over 200,000 Hong Kong Citizens Participate in the July 1st Parade Protesting Against Article 23 Legislation
2003-07-03
On the sixth anniversary of the handover of Hong Kong on July 1st, over 200,000 Hong Kong Citizens participated in a large-scale parade protesting against Article 23. Below are some of the photos of the parade by AFP. -
Reuters: Protesters Pour into the Hong Kong Streets
2003-07-03'HONG KONG (Reuters) - Brandishing banners, umbrellas and fans, a crowd estimated at hundreds of thousands braved stifling heat on Tuesday to denounce Hong Kong's planned anti-subversion law and demand the right to elect their own leaders.' -
Newsletter from the International Human Rights Organisation in Germany on the Rights of Falun Gong Practitioners
2003-07-02We felt that our freedom of expression enshrined in the German constitution was illegally curtailed. We believed that the words ‘Please Support the Lawsuit against Jiang Zemin for Committing Genocide in China’ displayed on the banners could cause no insult. If the information we tried to convey annoyed the Chinese consulate, then let them look at the suffering of the persecuted people in China. -
The Gothenburg Post: Condemning the Persecution of Falun Gong Practitioners
2003-07-02'On April 29, the Chinese Prime Minister paid a state visit to Thailand. On that day, I was arrested in my house in Bangkok. The Thai government wanted to deport me and revoked my visa. Later, I learned that the Chinese government had pressured the Thai government on this matter.' -
RFI Radio Free Asia: Falun Gong Practitioners in Ireland Expose the Lies of the Jiang Regime during the 2003 Special Olympic Games
2003-07-02"Today, I saw the Chinese delegation and the athletes receiving a warm welcome and a good service, which made me think that among our Falun Gong practitioners in China, not only the ordinary practitioners have been brutally persecuted and tortured, but also those practitioners with special needs have been persecuted and tortured as well. Some of them have even been tortured to death. I think that this brutal crackdown should not have happened." -
Agence France Presse (AFP): Proposed Hong Kong Legislation could Undermine Autonomy: EU
2003-07-02"(The EU) has now studied the... proposed amendments issued on 3 and 6 June. The European Union welcomes the proposed changes but regrets that the elements relating to the proscription of local organisations remain fundamentally unchanged," [written statement by the EU] -
The Guardian: Hong Kong's Flawed Law
2003-07-01'The most worrying clause requires the government to proscribe any group found to be linked to an already proscribed mainland organisation. The obvious example is the Falun Gong [group], already banned on the mainland where it is claimed, ludicrously, to be a threat to national security.' -
AFP (Agence France-Presse): Massive Protest to Mark Anniversary of Hong Kong's Handover from Britain
2003-07-01'Hong Kong will mark its sixth anniversary under Chinese rule on July 1 with a huge protest march over proposed national security legislation which many fear will restrict fundamental freedoms...United States and Britain have joined international human rights and press groups to condemn the planned laws.' -
Agence France Presse (AFP): 100,000 people expected to rally against Hong Kong's anti-subversion laws
2003-06-29'Some 100,000 people are expected to participate in a protest march against the Hong Kong government's plan to pass controversial anti-subversion laws next week.."We have revised our application to the police and told them of our latest estimate that some 100,000 people are expected to attend the protest march," to the government headquarters on July 1, said Tsoi Yiu-cheong, spokesman for the Civil Human Rights Front.' -
Radio France Internationale (RFI): Hong Kong Residents will launch a Large Parade to Protest Against Article 23 Legislation
2003-06-28'Hong Kong residents generally believe that the enactment of Article 23 of Hong Kong’s Basic Law will not only impair Hong Kong’s long-existing freedom of the press and freedom of speech, but is also harmful to Hong Kong’s economy. Once the legislation of Article 23 is passed, the Hong Kong authorities, like Mainland China, may arbitrarily arrest Hong Kong residents without warrants and deprive them of human rights. As a result, they plan to launch a large scale parade and demonstration to oppose Article 23 legislation.'
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