The Assembly of the British Council of Churches has listened to the demands which are being made by christian partners in llong Kong about the future of the territory and its people. On the basis of these demands:
A
The Assembly EXTENDS SUPPORT for the Government's expressed intention of introducing a Bill of Rights for Hong Kong and CALLS ON Her Majesty's Government
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B
To give high priority to the enactment of a fully justiciable Bill of Rights for Hong Kong, and to seek international guarantees for its provisions.
To accept the recommendation of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Commons that full direct elections to the Legislative Council be introduced in 1995, and that at the 1991 election 50% of the members of the Legislative Council should be directly elected as the first stage of this process.
To restore to British Passport Holders in Hong Kong the rights of citizenship, including the right of abode in the United Kingdom.
To exercise diligently the responsibility for the wellbeing of all other subjects lawfully resident in Hong Kong which goes with sovereignty, by negotiating on their behalf opportunities for migration, especially with Commonwealth and European Community Governments.
To take note of the experience gained in 1972 at the time of the large scale movement of people from Uganda, and in consultation with Local Authorities to prepare for the additional social provision which will be needed to meet immigration from Hong Kong and to enlist the co-operation and support of the churches and other voluntary organisations.
The Assembly also CALLS ON member churches
To promote severally and jointly a programme to explain the Hong Kong situation to their members, to research what might be involved in receiving very large numbers of migrants from Hong Kong and to discover what contribution churches nationally and locally might make towards their needs.
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Private notes are available after approval.