TNAG-2175-FCO40-3112-Hong-Kong-Bill-of-Rights-1990 — Page 350

CONFIDENTIAL

31

機密

31

assistance in

Magistrates' Courts in three phases. The

financial implication is estimated to be at $43 million per

annum.

Public reaction

74.

reasons.

The public would generally welcome the introduction of the Bill into the Legislative Council and take it positively as an indication of the

the Government's resolution to introduce further measures for the protection of human rights. However, there is likely to be criticism from different sectors of the community for different Academics, the legal professions and civic liberty groups are likely to express disappointment that the BOR does not go far enough, for example, in excluding justiciable rights under the ICES CR, not removing Crown immunity against injunctive actions, and not reducing the length of the freeze period. The Heung Yee Kuk will object 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 the operational efficiency of law enforcement agencies and changing drastically the local system before the transition as examples of the adverse effects of the Bill.

Publicity

75.

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

CONFIDENTIAL

機密