XN000022-1997-01-23 — Page 7

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Then again, when the Bill of Rights was debated on 5 June 1991, Maria Tam said as follows:

"The Bill before Council today does no more than transform the contents of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, as it is applied to Hong Kong, into a local piece of legislation to make such provision enforceable in the courts of Hong Kong, and I believe we have not contravened the Basic Law. I believe this to be a proper arrangement in safeguarding the rights of those who live in this territory now and in the years to come."

Other people made extremely good speeches, as well. We have a speech here, in 1990, on the same legislation, by the former honourable member, Peggy Lam:

"With its present day progress, Hong Kong has a genuine need to introduce legislation to safeguard human rights instead of relying solely on international covenants. In my view, the promulgation of a Bill of Rights Ordinance should be regarded as a factor conducive to the maintenance of stability and prosperity in Hong Kong, and a step forward in promoting Hong Kong's rule of law system. It is, moreover, an indispensable part of the journey towards civilised social development."

"It is apparent" - she went on "that the Bill of Rights Ordinance, once enacted, will not claim superiority over the Basic Law. I think that the enactment and promulgation of the Bill of Rights Ordinance will be conducive to perfecting Hong Kong's laws and promoting Hong Kong people's consciousness of human rights."

Then we had a particularly moving speech from the honourable member, Mr Paul Cheng:

"It is only right that a Bill of Rights is put into place at a time when the Hong Kong community begins its evolution towards a self-government under 'one country, two systems'. Given the responsibility of contributing to a successful transfer of sovereignty, we Legislative Council Members are enabled through this draft Bill of Rights to strengthen the foundations of the existing legal system by giving due recognition to the civil and political rights of our territory."

"It is incumbent upon us as legislators preparing for the effective running of Hong Kong as a special administrative region to ensure that we will entrench essential freedom in line with the International Covenant. A Bill of Rights will allow for this in the most expedient manner."