)Subject: Press release--Tung Address
Information Relay
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LAWYERS COMMITTEE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS--MEDIA ALERT
October 6, 1997
WHAT: List of Questions for Chief Executive Tung
WHEN: Immediate
WHY: The Lawyers Committee for Human Rights calls for C.H. Tung to Address Human Rights and Civil Liberties Concerns in his Maiden Policy Speech
The Lawyers Committee for Human Rights in an internationally focused non-governmental organization based in the United States. Our work is impartial, holding each government to the standards affirmed in the International Bill of Human Rights. "We hope Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa will address rule of law and human rights questions in his first major policy address since assuming office in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region," said Mehlika Hoodbhoy, Asia Program Coordinator. "Members of the press and people in Hong Kong should press the Chief Executive to explain the gaps between his public rhetoric on human rights and actual practice that have characterized the first three months of his Administration."
1. Public Opinion and the Basic Law
Your Administration has not been able to consistantly explain how it views the Basic Law. For example, you have referred to the Basic Law as "the constitutional framework of Hong Kong." However, in the case of the Immigration Ordinance, members of your Administration have stated that the Basic Law exists to provide "general guidance" and that public opinion was a factor in the introduction of amendments.
With regards to electoral reform, public opinion polls show that a majority of Hong Kong people oppose restrictions on the franchise. However, your Administration has maintained that it must adhere to the timetable in Annex II of the Basic Law. Does your Administration view the Basic Law as a binding document and if not, can you explain the circumstances under which it can be set aside ?
2. On Freedom of Association and the Suspended Labor Laws
Amendments to the labor laws suspended by the Provisional Legislature will be introduced on October 15. These amendments will require unions to obtain executive approval in order to federate internationally. Do you favor these changes that restrict the right of freedom of association that is enshrined in Article 5 of Convention 87 of the International Labour Organization ? Why do trade unions need your approval to affiliate internationally ?
3. On Hong Kong's Autonomy and NGO Participation in International Meetings
Why did the government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region allow World Bank authorities to seek Beijing's approval for non-governmental organizations who applied for permission to attend the World Bank/IMF meeting in Hong Kong ? Does this mean that your Administration now favors a policy of allowing Beijing to regulate the activities of non-governmental organizations in Hong Kong ?
4. On the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Asian Values and Article 39 of the Basic Law
You have called for revisions to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) citing differences between Asian and Western values.
Which specific sections of the UDHR are in need of revision and why ?
Do your objections to the UDHR also mean that you opposed to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights which according to Article 39 of the Basic Law continues to apply in Hong Kong ?
Since 1978, the Lawyers Committee for Human Rights has worked to protect and promote fundamental human rights. Its work is impartial, holding each government to the standards affirmed in the International Bill of Rights.
Contact: Camille Massey at (212) 845-5225
