Catholic Institute for International Relations 22 Coleman Fields London N1 7AF, UK
Gerers Secretary lan Linden
Mr Bowen Wells, MP House of Commons London SW1A OAA
May 30 1990
Dear Mr Wells,
RE: CIVIL LIBERTIES IN HONG KONG
LARS
CIIR
1940 -
1990
May I draw your attention to the fact that charges were laid last week against several prominent democrats in Hong Kong, accused of infringing trivial "nuisance" laws. We believe the decision to prosecute has damaging implications for civil liberties at a particularly sensitive period in the life of the territory.
We would be grateful, therefore, if you would raise the matter with the British and Hong Kong governments.
Those whose cases are described in the attached document have been charged with two trivial offences: using a loud speaker in public without a permit from the
from the Commissioner of police; -and collecting money in public without a permit from the Director of Social Welfare.
The charges stem from a lawful and peaceful protest, against the constitutional proposals contained in the Basic Law, which the accused helped to organise over several days during February at the Star Ferry Terminal.
Those named in the enclosed document prepared by the United Democrats of Hong Kong - Ho Chun Yan, Wong Pik Wan, Lee Wing Tat and Lau Chin Shek - are all members of that organisation and are prominent in the territory's political life. It is believed that another member of the Executive, Yeung Sum, is likely to be charged in due course.
Other activists, who are not named in the attached documents,
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