TNAG-2004-FCO40-2852-Hong-Kong-political-parties-1990 — Page 132

CJOTTAP ( 700

香港民主同盟

UNITED DEMOCRATS OF HONG KONG

On Tuesday, 22 May, four senior members of the United Democrats

of Hong Kong's Executive Committee--Ho Chun Yan, Wong Pik Wan,

Lee Wing Tat, and Lau Chin Shek--were charged with two offences

pleaded under the Summary offences Ordinance. The four pred not guilty

and vowed to contest the charges in court. Ho Chun Yan is Vice-

Chairman of the UDHK, Wong Pik Wan is the Chairwoman of the

UDHK's Policy Committae, and Lee Wing Tat is Chairman of the

Elected Councillors Committee.

The charges stem from a lawful protest the four helped lead

in February against the lack of democracy in the PRC-drafted,

post-1997 Hong Kong Basic Law. The four are charged with two

offences: first, using a loud-speaker in public without a permit

from the Commissioner of Police; and second, collecting money in

public without a permit from the Director of Social Welfare.

Members of the UDHK believe that the timing of the charges,

the individuals charged, the acts in question, and the offences

charged raise very serious questions about the commitment of the

Hong Kong Government to human rights and its willingness to stand

up to pressure from China to restrict free expression in Hong

Kong well before 1997. Members of the UHDK are particularly

disturbed by:

1) the individuals singled out--four of the most prominent

advocates for democracy in Hong Kong;.

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