ASSOCIATE UNIONS:
Australian Journalists Association
National Union of Journalists The Newspaper Guild (US) New Zealand Journalists' Union
HONG KONG JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION HIS 24.2
香港記者協會
3rd Floor, Capital Building, 176. Lockhart Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong.
香港記者協會香港灣仔洛克道 一七五號京城大廈四樓
11 PS/LPS
Tel: 5-742247
G.P.O. BOX: 11726
電話:五
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七四二二四七
香港郵政總局: 一七二六信箱 AFFILIATE:
Taken
Hong Kong Press Club Limited
NO
913
A69/3!
PRESS RELEASE
(Copy
of letter sent to
the Chief Secretary)
The Executive Committee of the Hong Kong Journalists Association deplores
the practice of the Hong Kong government in refusing the renewal of a visa
to a long-term resident of Hong Kong and withholding any explanatory
statement, as exemplified in the recent case of Christine Vertucci.
We condemn this as a dangerous precedent in the curtailment of civil
liberties, especially in view of Ms Vertucci's involvement in social issues.
This is an issue which directly affects us both as journalists and unionists.
In view of the public disquiet which we fully share, we urge the Immigration
Department to state publicly or privately to Ms Vertucci its reasons for
refusal to renew her visa. In the absence of clarification, and despite а
recent statement to the contrary, Hong Kong residents cannot help but conclude
that the refusal is directly linked to Ms. Vertucci's work with the less
advantaged people of Hong Kong.
Therefore, we would
done, and urge the
the suppression of
this case Ms Vertucci.
like to suggest that, in future, justice be seen to
Immigration Deaprtment to rethink its policy concerning
information from those most affected by its actions, in
be
The Executive Committee
Hong Kong Journalists Association
HKK
KK 345/2
5/2.