Democratic Party Positions on the Release of Alex Ho

2 February 2005

The Democratic Party welcomed the release of Alex Ho Wai-to before the Lunar New Year, after 168 days' administrative detention by the Dongguan Public Security Bureau. The Democratic Party sends her most sincere consolation to Alex Ho and his families, expressed her deep concerns about the current health conditions of Alex Ho, and promised every endeavor to provide supports and assistance.

The Democratic Party deeply regrets that Alex Ho was ordered to six months' custody and re-education in Mainland, without open and fair trial. The six months ruling is conspicuously longer than other similar sentences. The Democratic Party believes it is extremely unfair to Ho and seriously infringes his human rights. During his custody period, Ho was treated unfairly which hampered him physically and mentally. Due to lack of proper treatment, his health has been deteriorating.

After his return to Hong Kong, Alex Ho briefly told the leadership of the party the courses of the incident. However, both Alex Ho and Mrs. Ho requested the party not to disclose and comment on details of the incident, so as to avoid endless arguments with the Public Security Bureau of the Mainland. The Democratic Party fully understands and respects this request from Mr. Ho.

Mr. Ho expressed to the Democratic Party his definite denial of patronizing a prostitute in Dongguan. According to Mr. Ho, due to his panic emotion and lack of advice from the legal profession, the description he made to Mrs. Ho in their first meeting after Ho's arrest did not fully reflect the actual situation of his arrest in mid-August 2004. Due to the lack of channels to contact Alex Ho directly, the Democratic Party expressed open criticism and accusation to the public security bureau of the Mainland during the press conference held on 16 August 2004. After verifying with Mr. Ho after his recent release, the Democratic Party withdraws the accusation expressed on the 16 August 2004 press conference, and would like to express our apologies to parties involved.

The Democratic Party knew that Alex Ho has just declared the withdrawal of his party membership and the Democratic Party respected this decision of Mr. Ho.

Finally, the Democratic Party would like to send our appreciation to people who support Alex Ho, and our apologies to the public, party members and our supporters for any inconveniences caused. The Democratic Party would also like to express our appreciation to the whole-hearted supports provided by the Security Bureau and Immigration Department of the HKSAR, as well as other related parties, to Alex Ho and his families.

The Democratic Party