90 Borough High St. London SE1 1LL United Kingdom Telephone:
071-403 4822
Facsimile:
071-403 1943
Executive Director
Frances D'Souza
3 June 1993
The Rt Hon Douglas Hurd MP Foreign Secretary
Foreign and Commonwealth Office King Charles Street LONDON SW1
Je ar
لا
foreign cont
XIX
ARTICLE 19
INTERNATIONAL CENTRE AGAINST CENSORSHIP
On the fourth anniversary of the violent suppression of peaceful protests by Chinese citizens in Tiananmen Square, ARTICLE 19, the International Centre Against Censorship, wishes to restate its concerns that the Chinese government will not respect the right to freedom of expression in Hong Kong, following its handover to Chinese rule in 1997.
A large number of people in China remain imprisoned for having exercised the universally recognised right to freedom of opinion and expression. Among those in detention are at least 24 journalists, a list of whom is attached to this letter. ARTICLE 19 believes that the prison sentences imposed on these journalists are direct violations of Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which is binding on all states.
ARTICLE 19 believes that journalists in Hong Kong will similarly face the risk of censorship and imprisonment if the right to freedom of expression and information is not adequately secured before 1997. ARTICLE 19 once again urges the British Government to take all necessary steps to ensure that the people of Hong Kong are guaranteed this fundamental right, in particular by repealing the many colonial laws which are incompatible with the Bill of Rights and which would be open to abuse after the handover to China.
We respectfully ask that, in all your dealings with the Chinese authorities, you request the immediate and unconditional release of all those detained for having exercised their right to freedom of expression. In particular we ask you to call for the release of journalists Wang Juntao and Ren Wanding who are reported to be in poor health and in urgent need of medical attention.
حنفية
Frances Icons
чилев
Dr Frances D'Souza
Director
International Board William Shawcross, Chairman
Soli Sorabjee, Vice-Chairman Geoffrey Bindman, Honorary Treasurer
Ellen Dahrendorf Ben Hooberman Gitobu Imanyara Emily Lau
Lance Lindblom Helena Luczywo Jack Mapanje Aryeh Neier Mario Vargas Llosa
Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information
and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.
ARTICLE 19 Research and Information Centre
on Censorship (A company limited
by guarantee) Company Number: 2097222
Registered Charity Number 327421