SERIDE C
UNITED DEMOCRATS OF HONG KONG
On Tuesday, 22 May, four senior members of the United Democrats
of Hong Kong's Executive Committee--Ho Chun Yan, Wong Pik Wan,
Lee Wing Tat, and Lau Chin Shek--were charged with two offences
plaadid under the Summary offences Ordinanca. The four pred not guilty
and vowed to contest the charges in court. Ho Chun Yan is Vice-
Chairman of the -UDHK, Wong Pix Wan is the Chairwoman of the
UDHK's Policy Committae, and Lee Wing Tat is Chairman of the
Elected Councillors Committee.
The charges stem from a lawful protest the four helped lead
in February against the lack of democracy in the PRC-drafted,
post-1997 Hong Kong Basic Law. The four are charged with two
cffences: first, using a loud-speaker in public without a parmit
from the Commissioner of Police; and sacond, collecting money in
public without a permit from the Director of Social Welfare.
Members of the UDHK believe that the timing of the charges,
the individuals charged, the acts in question, and the offences
charged raise very serious questions about the commitment of the
Hong Kong Government to human rights and its willingness to stand
up to pressure from China to restrict free expression in Hong
Kong well before 1997. Members of the UHDK are particularly
disturbed by:
che individuals singled out--four of the most prezinent
advocates for democracy in Hong Kong;
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