B3-1703 and 1748/93

Resolution on Hong Kong

The European Parliament,

A.noting worldwide moves towards pluralism and democracy,

B.noting that the sovereignty of Hong Kong reverts from Britain to the Republic of China in 1997, and that the Bill of Rights (adopted in 1991) provides for fundamental rights to be safeguarded,

C.noting that the next elections to the District Boards, Municipal Councils and the Legislative Council in Hong Kong will take place in 1994 and 1995,

D.noting that the Sino-British Agreement covering this change states that by 1 July 1997 Hong Kong's legislature will 'be constituted by elections',

E.whereas at present only 18 of the 60 members of the Legislative Council are elected by direct universal suffrage; whereas the final draft of Hong Kong's Basic Law, approved in 1990 by China's National People's Congress, provides for only 24 members out of 60 to be elected in 1990; whereas the same arrangements are envisaged for Macao;

F.recalling that 17 rounds of negotiations have taken place between Peking and Hong Kong on these arrangements and that the talks have now broken down,

G.noting that the Governor of Hong Kong has tabled a bill in the colony's Legislative Council with details of arrangements for a democratic future,

1.Regrets that the Chinese Government has declared an end to the talks on arrangements for elections in Hong Kong;

2.Supports the development of full human rights and democracy worldwide pursuant to the provisions of the Treaty on European Union concerning a common foreign and security policy;

3.States that this policy should determine the attitude of the European Union towards China;

4.Calls on the UK Government to continue efforts to obtain assurances from the Chinese Government that fundamental rights will be respected and safeguarded in Hong Kong after 1997;

5.Calls on the Hong Kong authorities to approve a reform of the electoral system for Hong Kong's Legislative Council which allows at least 31 members out of 60 to be elected by direct universal suffrage;

6.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Chinese Government and the Governor and Legislative Council of Hong Kong.