Law 'protects' human rights

 

Law 'protects' human rights

 

HONGKONG STANDARD    HOME  Wednesday, June 15, 1988

 

By Tonny Chan

ONE of the visiting mainland Basic Law drafters yesterday gave assurance that human rights would be safeguarded in the law.

His remarks followed anxiety by activists on human rights conditions in China.

Drafter Xu Chongde, who is also a legal expert in China, said all Basic Law drafters attached much importance to the protection of human rights when they drafted the document.

"The constitution of China is clear about the freedoms of the people and their rights. The draft Basic Law also spells it out in detail for Hongkong," Mr. Xu said.

"In the law's draft, provisions of two international covenants on human and political rights have been embodied in Chapter 3. which I think is detailed enough," Mr. Xu said.

Article 26 of the draft states that Hongkong residents shall have the freedom of speech, association, assembly, demonstration, and the freedom to join trade unions and to strike.

But a group of nine grassroot activists yesterday challenged the adequacy of the draft in protecting human rights, citing a source of threat could come from Article 22.

The group, led by a social activist Father Franco Mella, met with Mr. Xu and another drafter Mr. Shao Tianren as part of a series of consultative meetings between drafters and local people.

The article says the Hongkong Special Administrative Region (SAR) shall prohibit by law any act designed to undermine national unity and subvert the central government of China.

"Some representatives expressed concern about the differences in penalty between Hongkong and China for the same offence," said Mr. Li Kaiming, a Basic Law Consultative Committee member.

A growing concern is emerging in public discussions on the draft that Article 22 is too vague in terminology as to what will constitute a subversion or undermining national unity.

Some people, including those in religious circles, have said the anxieties were caused by the arrest of Hongkong residents in China for charges that are considered minor here.

Mr. Li said representatives at yesterday's meeting voiced fears that the term "subversion" in Article 22 could be translated into an equivalent term for "anti-revolution".

Support for jailed activist.

 SUPPORTERS of a Hongkong activist who is serving a jail sentence in China for alleged anti-revolution activities yesterday took the case to visiting mainland Basic Law drafters.

The group handed in a letter addressed to the Deputy Director of the State Council's Hongkong and Macau Affairs Office, Mr. Lu Ping, calling for the early release of Lau Shan-qing.

Lau, who was convicted in Guangdong in 1982 for helping organise a Government-banned association, is serving a 10-year jail sentence in Mei county.

Mainland drafters did not commit themselves to action other than to relay the group's "opinion" to the relevant authorities. The group comprised mainly students and labour movement activists.

One of Lau's supporters, Father Franco Mella, said before discussing Lau's fate at the Basic Law Consultative Committee office that he hoped drafters could urge for his early release.

"If the Chinese authorities can release Lau in the near future, I think it can boost Hongkong people's confidence (in the human rights situation there)," Father Franco Mella said.

"I hope the drafters can raise the subject with the judiciary of Gaungdong province so that Lau can be released soon," said Fr Mella, adding that the group wanted to meet Mr. Lu, who led the visiting group of drafters. But supporters of the prisoner could only see mainland drafters Mr. Xu Chongde and Mr. Shao Tianren.

Mr. Xu told reporters afterwards: "I must stress that everyone, Hongkong people or foreigners alike, who have breached mainland laws must be subject to the laws and the judiciary has the final decision.

"The conviction and sentence of Lau is a particular case which, I believe, the judiciary of China has investigated thoroughly. But we will still relay their opinions," Mr. Xu added.

According to copies of judicial documents which were smuggled out of China, Lau was accused of distributing banned publications in China.

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