TNAG-2320-FCO40-3364-Human-rights-in-Hong-Kong-1991 — Page 157

of basic rights.

For all the many good things which the United Kingdom

has done in Hong Kong, it will long stand

Britain that

it did not

provide

a

as

a reproach to

democratic form of

government before its departure. According to recent polls taken of the people of Hong Kong, at least 68% of those with

immediate

definite

opinions

were

in

favour

of the

79

introduction

of direct elections.

The

want

of direct

elections

(and the

inhibition which

now

exists under the

provides

basic a

obstacle

Basic Law in conducting them)

to the achievement of a judicially enforced bill of rights

having real legitimacy for Hong Kong. For the judges, like

the citizens, will constantly face the quandary presented by

the

to reconcile attempt

The basic

the irreconcilable.

is autocratic

rights contained in the international covenants (wholly at

peace in a representative democracy) sit uncomfortably in a

society which, despite certain other virtues, is

and not democratic.80 The events of June 1989 in China

have presented these simple truths in sharp relief.

There remains one other practical consideration which

should be mentioned. Institutions may look fine on paper.

But they need sensitive, knowledgeable and talented people to

work them. A recent survey of Chinese members of the legal

profession in Hong Kong indicated that only 37% of the sample

stated positively that they would stay in the colony after 30

June

1997.81 A survey taken after 4 June 1989 revealed

that this figure had actually dropped to 33%. As has been

stated, this is "not a very promising figure in view of the

present shortage

of

inevitable departure

lawyers in

of expatriate

Hong Kong".

With

the

members of the legal

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