Date: 4 March 1997

Embargo: Immediate

Contact: Andrew Wigley (Tel: 00 32 22 84 5626)

- DON'T SHUT UP - SPEAK UP -, SAY M.E.P.s

A party of Members of the European Parliament today concluded a two day visit to Hong Kong. Mr Bertel Haarder, Vice President of the European Parliament (Denmark, Lib Dem), Mr Olivier Dupuis (Italy, Radical Alliance), Mr Gary Titley (UK, Socialist) and Mr Graham Watson (UK, Lib Dem) held meetings with the Governor, the Chief Executive designate, prominent members of the Legislative Council, the President of the provisional legislative council, the Bar Council, lawyers and non-governmental organisations, including some whose projects have been supported with EU funds.

They expressed their gratitude to all those who have generously given their time, particularly to the Chief Executive designate with whom they spent nearly an hour.

The MEPs expressed concern about the future for Hong Kong and the rule of law.

While critical of the UK for not having moved far earlier to introduce democracy and a Bill of Rights in Hong Kong, they acknowledged nevertheless that the British governance of HK had established and was bequeathing to the territory the rule of law, the separation of powers and a large measure of individual freedom.

They noted that in the People's Republic of China there is currently a discussion of political reform and expressed the hope that Hong Kong might serve as an example for China s development.

They expressed particular concern therefore about the PRC s stated intention to abolish the Legislative Council and about recent statements from the Preparatory Committee on the repeal of 25 ordinances. Such moves would have damaging consequences for civil liberties and moreover would damage business and economic confidence in Hong Kong, which is contingent on the rule of law and freedom of information. They took the view that these would be important matters for discussion when considering entry of the PRC to the World Trade Organisation.

The MEPs noted that Hong Kong is the EU s seventh most important trading partner, with bilateral trade worth ECU 21 bn (US$ 7.5 bn) and that two-thirds of EU China trade and investment passes through Hong Kong.

The MEPs expressed their intention to make the following recommendations to the European Union on their return:

1. If the Joint Liaison Cttee, which meets this month, does not resolve the dispute about the provisional legislature, then the matter should be referred to UN;

2. The European Commission should produce an annual report on civil and human rights in HK, which the European Parliament should debate;

3. The EU should assist in the resolution of the problem of resettlement of the remaining Vietnamese refugees;

4. The EU should continue to make funds available for projects on defense and promotion of human rights and the development of democracy in Hong Kong as in other countries;

5. The European Parliament should work for greater co-ordination of relations between Legislative Councillors and the EP and other institutions of the EU; in particular, MEPs should visit Hong Kong again later this year;

6. EU member states and European Commission should recognise the importance of the events of July 1997 and review diplomatic representation in Hong Kong accordingly.

In a message to the people of Hong Kong the MEPs stressed the importance of vigilance by the people of Hong Kong for maintenance of democratic freedoms and the rule of law.

"Our message to the people of Hong Kong is -Don't shut up - speak up!'", they said, reminding them of the western dictum "All that is required for evil to triumph is for good people to remain silent".

ENDS