TNAG-0911-FCO40-1121-Policy-on-housing-and-resettlement-in-Hong-Kong-1979 — Page 126

3.5 EXTRACTS OF SOME OF THE SPEECHES DELIVERED DURING THE PEOPLE'S

FORUM SUPPORTING YMT BOAT PEOPLE'S RIGHTOUS DEMANDS,

INTRODUCTION

A pulic forum jointly participated by HKUSU (Hong Kong University Student Union), BOAT PEOPLE CONCERN GROUP BY SOCIAL WORKERS, TAI HANG TUNG RESIDENCE ORGANIZATION, REPRESENTATIVE OF CATHOLICS ( Fr. Jack Clancey), HONG KONG CHRISTIAN INDUSTRIAL COUNCIL, TSUEN WAN LABOUR EDUCATION CORBINATING COMMITTEE, HONG KONG PROFESSIONAL TEACHERS' UNION( Mr. Szeto Wah), and URBAN COUNCILLOR( Mrs. Ellsie Eliott ) was held on January 14,1979 at the student common room of Hong Kong Polytechnic College. Representatives from different social sectors have delivered speeches supporting the just actions and demands of the boat people and their sympathizers, and dissenting the unreasonable arrest and charge being made against the 76 boat people representatives. It is estimated that more than 500 people had attended this 'close-door' forum.

EXTRACTS OF SOME OF THE SPEECHES DELIVERED

Mr. Mak Hai-Wah ( a social worker )

"The professional dignity and moral of the social workers is to stimulate the poten- tialities of the reidents. It's reasonable to help the boat people to solve their difficulties and set free from their inhuman living environment. The conflict between ICAC and the police force is not permitted by police in advance, but get the sympathy of the government conversely. The peaceful petition of the boat people was charged unreasonably as unlawful. The victims to unjust and unreasonable law are always the powerless. The Public Security law is not suitable for the present period because it will influence the Hong Kong restents a lot. We are calling for international support for our 3 goals: a) To fight for the release of the charged boat people and their

b)

sympathizers.

To resettle the housing problem of the boat people. c) Cancellation of the unreasonable law.

Mr. Hui Kwok Wahl Representative of TWLECC)

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"The Hong Kong government always boasts of the stablity of Hong Kong is made by the labour force but it does not protect our basic human rights in times of labour disputes sit-in, or the demonstration of workers. The government always suppress the demand of the labour and even disperse us by using teargas."

Elsie Elliot ( An Urban Councillor)

Housing policy in Hong Kong is land policy. Only the rich can own a flat but can the poor live in an old boat? Boat people are the forgotten people for their frustrated livinf environment is ignored by the government delay policy. Demonstration, marching to petition were failed. They only succeded in being forced to go to the Central Police Station. None of these boat people know the regulation (petition with a permis- sion of police) and the charge they were thrown into for all the law is in English! How can you expect a child of seven to understand that he is in the charge of "Illegal Assembly" ! I bailed 30 people on that night. I would like to claim here my disapproval of the land policy in Hong Kong and my disapproval of the arresting of these timid children."

Mr. Szeto Wah (Representative of the HKPTU)

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From the CTV affair to YMT boat people affair, it is obvious that the authority is going to challenge our human rights in assembling and petition. I believe that stablization and prosperisty of Hong Kong are based on justice. Numerous petitions would not exert a bad influence on Hong Kong. The charge on the boat people in fact is very unfavorable to the reputation of Hona Kona."

YMT 14