(Clearwisdom.net)

The German "Beamtenbund-Jugend," is one of the largest youth labor union associations in Germany, counting 150,000 members, both men and women, in the public sector.

We are deeply troubled that this proposed law called Article 23 as addendum to Hong Kong's Basic Law, as proposed by the special Hong Kong commission (HKSAR) will lead to a further deterioration of human rights and the rule of law in Hong Kong. Particularly endangered are the rights to free assembly, right to opinion and free speech, freedom of the press and dissemination of information should this proposal be converted into law. The dubious definition and the one having the greatest impact are the terms "treason, dissention, overthrow and "membership in shunned organizations on the Mainland" as well as the term "serious illegal acts." Interpreting these terms at will would enable the government to use this proposed law as a club to swing at people's individual rights and curtail them.

This proposed law would give the security ministry the power base to arbitrarily prohibit any such organization the ministry deems to be affiliated with a Mainland organization that the PRC might view as a threat to national security. Such actions would lead to enforcing laws in Hong Kong that already exist in Mainland China. Such decisions would encourage implementation of capriciousness and despotism regarding basic right to assembly for workers in Hong Kong and China, particularly if viewed within the framework of Chinese employers' refusal permit the establishment of and support for independent labor unions.

This article poses another serious danger C that police powers would be expanded and the police could intervene anywhere, at any time, to carry on house searches, confiscate materials without having to follow proper legal procedures or court orders. Such greatly increased, unbridled police power could be used as a weapon to intimidate any organization or group.

This law will bring danger to religious freedom of such groups as Falun Gong, Christians and other associations; it will curtail freedom of speech, human rights protests and defense of democracy; would encumber freedom of the press as well as other local and international media in Hong Kong; would stifle the creative freedom of artists and musicians; freedom of thought as well as freedom for every citizen and visitor to pursue life's normal endeavors.

Article 23 will endanger the integrity of Hong Kong's systems and will block the free flow and exchange of information and ideas and by doing so endanger the vitality and economics in Hong Kong, activities which had always been the mainstay and strength of the whole region.

The German BBJ salutes and supports the European Parliament's recent ratification of a resolution to ensure basic freedoms in Hong Kong and we sincerely appeal to the HKSAR, to adhere to her obligation in the United Nations to assure to keep intact conventional economic, cultural and civil and political rights. We further request that Hong Kong will retain and justly administer existing laws and bring those on a par with the [1997] agreement instead of committing renewed transgression that might encumber the freedom of the Hong Kong citizenry in the name of "national security."

The DBBJ appeals to all her members as well as to members of unions around the world to voice their concerns for the law proposed by Hong Kong's SAR government entities and to urge those responsible to hold dialogue with China in this regard. We of the DBBJ fully support and have solidarity with union members and other citizens of Hong Kong, male and female, in their battle against oppression of human rights in Hong Kong. At the same time, we appeal for an end to the persecution against labor union members, Christians and the Falun Gong movement in Mainland China.

Joerg Aland
Chair

(Address)

(Original text in German)