TNAG-2862-FCO40-4116-Article-XIX-(lobby-group-for-press-freedom)-and-Hong-Kong-Jo-1993 — Page 60

rances

Miss FLD'Souza

Director Article Xx

90 Borough Hill High Street

London SE11 1LL-

SET

Thank you for your letter of 25 February about your concern over human rights in Hong Kong.

I note your further comment on the Basic Law. Whatever the view one takes of this, the fact remains that it is a Chinese law, and that the Chinese authorities have said that it cannot be changed. We have a clear standing to see that it is implemented in a way that is consistent with the Joint Declaration. We intend to do all we can to achieve that.

For example

We will have to differ on whether existing Hong Kong legislation sufficiently protects human rights. the report of the International Commission of Jurists' Mission to Hong Kong concluded that the Bill of Rights, which introduced into Hong Kong law the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

" provides a clear legal basis for the protection of human rights in Hong Kong".

I understand that the Hong Kong Government's review of its press Laws is likely to be concluded soon. The Hong

Kong Government intends to make a public Statement announcing the findings of the review shortly

thereafter.

Alastair Goodlad

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