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28/94/95
14:11
KING CHAMBERS
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SBS ZEA KAUTO NEWS-
NO. 836
P081-004
(06273 3236.
International commission of Zuziata Aurbra 14an kansion
H
61627332361# 2/ 3
EMBARGO. 4.00 pr Tuesday 21 Apx11 1992
**PRESS CONFERENCE AE 230 pm G#24rliament House. today**
"The British handover of the mix million people af Hong Kong to the People's Republic of China in July 1997 is one of the greatest betrayals of democratic principles and the right of self determination this century" said John Dowd, Chairman of the Australian Council of the International Commission of Jurists, today.
Xr Dowd WAR releasing the report of the four I.C.J. commissioners on the status of human rights in Hong Kong in the lead up to 1997, as part of a simultaneous release of the report in London, Hong Kong and Sydney. Mr Dowd was one of the Commissioners.
"Most people do not realise that the Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon Peninsula are not subject to the ITANE which terminates on 30 June 1997. They were, in fact, ceded to the United Kingdom in perpetuity in 2842.
"The people of Hong Kong were not leased to anybody and were entitled as a colonial people, to be consulted on their right to self determination", Kr Dowd said.
*The Joint Declaration made between Britain and the People's Republic of China was negotiated in secret, and with no consultation with the people of Hong Kong. One colonial master has handed six million people over to one of the world's most repressive regimes without consultation "
The Sino-British agreement makes no provision for an elected government, either elected directly or indirectly. The Chief Executive is merely a substitute for the existing Governor but will be answerable to the Pãople's Republic of China.
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