TNAG-2175-FCO40-3112-Hong-Kong-Bill-of-Rights-1990 — Page 271

•

CONFIDENTIAL

-

36

機密

reasons.

Academics,

the legal professions and civil

liberty groups are likely to express disappointment that the BOR does not go far enough, for example, in excluding

justiciable rights under

rights under the ICESCR, not removing Crown immunity against injunctive actions, and not reducing the length of the freeze period. The Heung Yee Kuk will object strongly to leaving the question of the compatibility of the traditional rights and privileges of NT indigenous villagers with the ICCPR and the Bill to the courts. The pro-China press is likely to express disappointment on the unilateral action of the Hong Kong Government without any

proper consultation with the CPG beforehand and cite potential problems of the BOR such as undermining

operational efficiency of law enforcement agencies changing drastically the local system before the transition as examples of the adverse effects of the Bill.

the

and

PUBLICITY

82.

Subject to approval, the Bill will be gazetted on 20 July 1990 and the Chief Secretary will move the second reading of the Bill on 25 July 1990 in the Legislative Council. It is proposed that a press release should be issued on the date of the gazettal to inform the public of the introduction of the Bill into the Legislative Council. A press conference should be held after the adjournment if the second reading on 25 July to explain the changes to the White Bill in greater detail.

(The Secretary for Constitutional Affairs, Mr. M.M.Y. SUEN, the Deputy Secretary for Constitutional Affairs, D. CHEN, the Acting Solicitor General, MR. B.E.D. DE (International Law),

Solicitor General,

Mr.

SPEVILLE,

DR.

the

Law

F.

BURROWS,

Officer

Assistant

36

機密

CONFIDENTIAL #