Ril

RID JM2

H.K.G.D.

22

المعلم

香港社區組織協會

SOCIETY FOR COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION

HKK 360/2

RECEIVED IN RIGISTRY NO

VM 2012 BON+=WEM MEMA : 3-139165 3/FL., 52, PRINCESS MARGARET RD, HOMANTIN, KLN, H. K. TEL 039165

REGA

SOCO

YOUR REF:

OUR

REF:

Dear

DERK OFICER

INDEX

PA

Action en

DATE:

7 FEB 1070

See

31

No

How the Lord foronwy - Roberts,

The Boat People Issue is no longer confined to the work of SoCO, it has become a widespread social movement that calls for public attention after the arrest has been made.

Enclosed please find a special dossier on the Yaumati Beat People Issue in Hongkong. It is published by the Asian Secretariat - International Movement of Catholic Students with most of the information supplied by SOCO and also the Joint Committee on Boat People Living Concern. SoCO has been working for the boat people for two years, and it is this bitter experience with the government bureaucracy that reveals the deplorable living conditions of the boat people to the public. I hope that this dossier can give a full account of the actions taken by us.

The arrested will be brought to trial on 12th Feb., 1979. We are now launching campaigns for the unconditional release of the arrested people and also for the abandonment of the law on unlawful assembly which gives the police supreme power to control all independent citizens' actions. We are working on two fronts: firstly by means of public campaigns, and secondly by the help of lawyers. The Joint Committee on the issue of boat people, comprising 10 social agencies, will launch a sit-in during the court-hearing day - 12th February 1979 to exert pressure on the decision of the court. Secondly, we have got the help of a lawyer who would like to fight against this unreasonable section of the law. But we have to pay him even though he had already lower down the cost incurred. The sum is around HK$ 20,000 which includes fees for the lawyer and also action funds for the campaigns.

I wonder whether you and your organization can help in supporting us on these 2 front firstly by sending concern to the boat people in supporting their murale, or letters of protest to the Governor of Hongkong. Secondly by donating funds for this movement. We are also raising funds in Hongkong, but we wish to get more support from overseas as well. Contributions from overseas, whether large or small amount, can help in strengthen up the morale of the residents and also of the supporting groups.

Since the Joint Committee is an adhoc group, donations can send through SoCO. We will give you a full account of the use of money when the campaign is over.

Best regards,

Hitung

Fung Ho Lup Director

Encl.

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