|
Martin Lee, Law Yuk Kai To Brief US on Anti-Subversion Legislation 19 October 2002 In response to invitations by leading US public policy forums, Democratic Party Chairman Martin Lee and Director of the Hong Kong Human Rights Monitor Law Yuk Kai will travel to Washington D.C. and New York to deliver briefings on anti-subversion legislation and the possible impact of such legislation on civil liberties in Hong Kong. The US visit will take place from October 21 to 25. Martin Lee and Law Yuk Kai will speak to the National Endowment for Democracy in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, October 23, and to the Asia Society in New York on Friday, October 25. Other public meetings include the Overseas Press Club in New York. "We are travelling to the US to discuss the latest developments in Hong Kong," said Martin Lee. "Obviously, there will be questions about the implications of the new anti-subversion law. It is up to the Hong Kong government and Beijing to confirm that there will be no roll-back of freedoms in Hong Kong." Since Hong Kong's handover in 1997, there has been ongoing concern in the US over the implementation of 'one country two systems' and the maintenance of basic rights and freedoms in Hong Kong. The SAR government's recent release of a so-called consultation paper on the enactment of the Basic Law Article 23 has received wide coverage and caused concern about future freedoms, particularly freedom of speech and the monitoring ability of the media. This week, Justice Secretary Elsie Leung made statements to a group of media executives which causes confusion and fear that in future the monitory role of the press will be greatly restricted.
|
