Secretary for Justice's Office
Address 4th floor, High Block,
Queensway Government Offices,
66 Queensway,
Hong Kong
28 October 2002
Dear Madam,
I am concerned about the new Article 23 that is currently being consulted on in Hong Kong.
I am not a practitioner of Falun Gong, but am actively involved in the British Parliament in lobbying the UK Government to press the Chinese Government to relax their persecution of a number of groups, in particular Falun Gong.
I have become increasingly concerned about reports from human rights organisations that many Falun Gong adherents in China are arrested arbitrarily, hundreds have been sent without trial to forced labour camps or sentenced to prison terms after unfair trials, and many followers have been tortured and died in police custody in suspicious circumstances.
It is of particular concern to me when states respond to threats, whether perceived or real, without due process. When states use their power to oppress and persecute in this way, it becomes almost impossible for individuals to protect themselves and for independent observers to get to the truth of the matter. It would be a great tragedy if this situation was to occur in Hong Kong.
As the precise wording of the proposed legislation has not yet been agreed, I would urge you to do everything you can not to permit new measures that could allow for an abuse of power against spiritual and religious groups, journalists, and political opposition in Hong Kong.
Yours sincerely,
[name omitted]
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