TNAG-0969-FCO40-1188-Human-rights-in-Hong-Kong-1980 — Page 55

Press Release continued

third section gives an overall analysis of the Hong Kong political structure

which allows the government to prevent ita citizens from participating, either

directly or indirectly, in the legislative, administrative and executive pro...

cesses of government. Obviously, the policies of the government only protect

the interests of the government itself and the interests of the rich capitalists.

The needs of the majority of the citizens are neglected, The citizens

cannot voice their own opinions in decision making through legitimate participation,

and even when they try to express their demands through petition, they are

suppressed. Recently, the government has put out a green paper about localization

and it has raised amendments to the Public Order Ordinance. But these two actions

have not rectified the above situation. The citizens still have no right to

participate in the decision making processes of government and there is ne

guarantee for the exercise of the rights of public assembly and petition.

The Press Conference is jointly sponsored by 15 organizations. In this con-

ference, we will release the report publicly and representatives from the

Christian Industrial Committee, the Education Action Group, the People's

Council on Public Housing Policy and a social worker will speak about how the

government neglects and refuses to listen to the concerned groups in their

demands for participation in the decision making processes in the fields of

labor, housing, education and social welfare.

The sponsoring groups are:

The 8 writers of the report

Kwun Tong Inquiry Service

Young Workers Confederation

Tsuen Wan Ecumenical Social Service Centre

Christian Industrial Committee

People's Council on Public Housing Policy Hong Kong Social Workers General Union Center for the Progress of Peoples

Education Action Group

Tai Hang Tung People's Committee

Professional Teachers Association

Society for Community Organization

Asia Concerns Group

A Group of P.I.M.E. Fathers

Maryknoll Fathers Peace and Justice Committee

Thank you.