18-JUN-1993 10:27
BHC CANBERRA
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270 6653
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INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION OF JURISTS COMMISSION INTERNATIONALE DE JURISTES COMISIÓN INTERNACIONAL DE JURISTAS
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16 June 1993
Your Excelleney
I am writing to you in my capacity as Chairman of the Executive Committee of the International Commission of Juriste (ICJ).
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The Commission recently conducted a Mission to Hong Kong. Mission was led by Sir William Goodhart QC of the United Kingdom.
I will included participants from Australia, Malaysia and Germany. send with the posted copy of this letter copy of the Mission's report
The concern of the Mission was the failure of the United Kingdom to conform to international law in the provision to the people of Hong Kong of the rights which devolve by international law upon people in respect of the termination of colonial status and the assurance of their right to self-determination of their political future.
The Governor of Hong Kong, the Right Hon C 'Patten has taken a number of steps which, although far from perfect, are in harmony with the Those basic thrust of the ICJ Mission report and recommendations. steps are essential, as a bare minimum, to preserve in Hong Kong the three concerns of the International Commission of Jurists, viz respect for the rule of law, defence of basic human rights and the independence of the judiciary and of lawyers.
I am most concerned to read in the London Times of 1 June a report that the United Kingdom, in its current negotiations with the Peoples Republic of China, will not support the modest proposals of Mr Patten for wider representation of elected representatives of the I should people of Hong Kong in the Hong Kong Legislative Council.
be glad of your assurance that the report is false and that the United Kingdom Government will support the Governor's proposals which fully conform to the treaty obligations of the United Kingdom and are at least a step towards the fulfilment of the United Kingdom's obligations in international law.