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about self-censorship is growing as 1997 approaches. In June, 1991, the legislature passed a bill of rights, modeled on the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. However, citizens do not have the right to change their government.
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Hong Kong's constitutional arrangements are defined by the Letters Patent and Royal Instructions. The governor is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the Crown. advised on policy by an Executive Council which he appoints. The governor has ultimate control of the administration of the territory but, by convention, he rarely exercises his full powers. Although fundamental rights ultimately rest on oversight by the British Parliament, in practice Hong Kong largely controls its own internal affairs.
Hong Kong's judiciary is an independent body adhering to English common law with certain variations. British legal protections and common law traditions ensure substantial and effective legal protections against arbitrary arrest or detention. The right to a fair public trial is respected.
Representative government based on universal franchise does not exist. Until 1985, all members of the Legislative Council were either government officials or appointed by the governor. In 1985, the system of indirect elections was instituted whereby 12 members (out of 57) were elected by functional constituencies (i.e., commercial, financial, education and other professions) and another 12 by an electoral college,
The Hong Kong government did not hold its first direct elections until 1991 when 18 out of 60 legislative seats were open to election by universal suffrage. Of the rest, 21 were either appointed by the governor or encumbered by government officials. Another 21 were elected by functional constituencies.
The number of voters in each functional constituency, either on an individual or corporate basis, is comparatively small, ranging from 36 (in the case of the Regional Council) to around 53,000 eligible voters (in the case of teachers). The system has been criticized for disproportionately representing the economic and professional elites.
Political parties and independent candidates contested the directly elected seats in the 1991 elections, which were overwhelmingly won by the liberal United Democrats of Hong Kong and other like-minded individuals who favor a faster pace of democracy and a tougher stance vis-a-vis Beijing in upholding Hong Kong's autonomy. While the legislature has virtually no power to initiate legislation, it has become more forceful recently in scrutinizing executive branch actions.
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