My Thoughts on the Hong Kong Supreme Court Protecting Constitutional Rights

In recent years, lawsuits have been filed against Falun Gong practitioners in Hong Kong, Singapore and Indonesia. The most recent ruling happened in Hong Kong. According to the Associated Press, on May 5th, 2005, Hong Kong's Supreme Court overturned convictions against Falun Gong practitioners given by a lower court. They had been charged with blocking public access and obstructing the police. Two practitioners were falsely accused of "assaulting police officers." In a summary of the case, the court said that the freedom to peacefully demonstrate is a constitutional right in Hong Kong. The court ruling also recognised that since the demonstration was legal and thus the arrest was illegal.

The two earlier cases happened in Singapore and Indonesia, where Falun Gong practitioners were found guilty by the courts for conducting peaceful appeals and distributing materials that exposed the persecution of Falun Gong in China.

Although all three countries call themselves democracies, the approaches they took towards the spiritual group were drastically different. Here are some other examples.

On April 28th, 2005, the city government of Ottawa, Canada gave a certificate of appreciation to Falun Gong practitioner Xun Li, thanking him for his contributions to humanity in his work to help rescue Falun Gong practitioners from labour camps in China, helping to stop hatred from being spread from China to Canada and the rest of the world and for helping to create a more peaceful environment in his new country by introducing the principles of "Truthfulness, Compassion and Tolerance." Falun Gong practitioners, along with other volunteers in the community, were recognised in this event. Other governments in Canada and in many other western countries have also given Falun Gong practitioners awards for such contributions.

Let's also take a look at how countries treat those who are indeed guilty: Su Rong, Communist Party Secretary of Gansu Province, was sued in the Zambian High Court during his visit to this African country. He tried to escape even though the police issued an arrest warrant for him. Chen Zhili, former Minister of Education in China, was sued in Tanzania for her active role in the persecution of Falun Gong.

Jiang Zemin, the principal instigator of the persecution of Falun Gong, and officials of the 610 Office (an agency specifically created to persecute Falun Gong, with absolute power over each level of administration in the Party and all other political and judiciary systems) have been sued in more than ten countries, including the United States, Canada, and Australia. In September 2003, Canada's Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Program (CAHWCP) listed 45 Chinese government officials, 610 Office personnel, and labour camp officials, on the Royal Canadian Mounted Polices' monitored list. If these people attempt to enter Canada, they will be immediately investigated. These people may, as a result, be refused a visa, denied entry, or even tried for crimes against humanity.

Reality has provided a myriad of precedents, some good, some bad, for individuals, governments, and national leaders. Whether a society is democratic and operates under the rule of law, or despotic and tyrannical, is evidenced by its actions. History has provided references for people. Should they follow the correct principles and respect basic rights, or should they trample basic human rights, and put material interest above justice? If they follow good role models, they will be regarded as good. If they imitate the wrongdoers, they themselves will also be considered wrongdoers.

History is just. It provides every life with an opportunity to choose, and this hold true for ordinary citizens, law enforcers, and government officials alike. For those who choose to do evil, history is also merciless. Once such a choice is made, it brings irreparable moral damage. The person will be spat upon, and lose respect and honour in peoples' hearts. The will and basic values of the people will sooner or later restore tarnished civility and return justice to the world. The abolition of "Article 23" in Hong Kong and the ruling by the Hong Kong Supreme Court on May 5th, 2005 are results of this grassroots, righteous force. The dictators who make shortsighted decisions in violation of the law will be derided by the people, and abandoned by history.

A philosopher once said that history is a mirror, because it tells people how the past was and what the future will be. This is such a truth. Although the choice between good and evil may be full of twists and turns, the path of righteousness will eventually unveil itself, to the individual, the nation, and to the entire human race.