TNAG-2047-FCO40-2917-Visits-by-staff-of-the-Department-of-Trade-and-Industry-to-H-1990 — Page 131

International Telecommunication Satellite organisation and the International Maritime Satellite Organisation. The next meeting of the JLG is scheduled to take place in London in

September.

6. The Basic Law will be a constitutional charter for Hong Kong, giving legal effect under the Chinese constitution to the provisions of the Joint Declaration. It was promulgated on 4 April by the Chinese National People's Congress after nearly 5 years' work by the Basic Law Drafting Committee, composed of Hong Kong and Mainland Chinese members. The Basic law is on the whole an acceptable reflection of the Joint Declaration, although there are inevitably a number of provisions which we would have preferred to have seen drafted differently.

BILL OF RIGHTS

7

As part of the process of rebuilding confidence in Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Government have drafted a Bill of Rights which was published for a two month public consultation period from 16 March to 6 June. They are now examining public comments with a view to introduction of the bill into

the Legislative Council this summer. The aim of the Bill is to give clear effect in a single local law to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights as applied to Hong Kong. Once the Bill has been passed, anyone who believes his rights under the Covenant have been infringed will be able to seek redress in the local courts. the Joint Declaration provides for the continued application of the Covenant to Hong Kong after 1997. There is no dispute with the Chinese about this, and the provision is

clearly reflected inthe Basic law. But the Chinese have

expressed doubt that it is necessary to have a Bill of Rights in Hong Kong.

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