Information Centre
“We urge (the government) to make every effort to ensure that civil
liberties are not lessened by the proposed legislation,” said a
statement from Chris Gallus, assistant minister to Australian Foreign Minister
Alexander Downer.
“Tang has stood up for freedom of belief and expression. These are the very principles on which Australian society is supposed to be founded. To forcibly return him to the tender mercies of a totalitarian state is indefensible”.
Critically, it would mean that organisations banned in mainland China could not operate lawfully in Hong Kong. This would include groups such as Falun Gong and could potentially be extended to include
churches human rights groups, trade unions and even opposition political parties.
In order to support the Hong Kong anti Article 23, the Global Coalition Against Article 23 in marched down the street of Auckland in the rain on 29th of June in New Zealand.
People think the freedom of news, religion and assembly must be protected, the policy of “One country, Two systems” must be protected and the concept of freedom and democracy must be protected. Hong Kong citizens will reject any forms of legislation under basic law article 23.
CID advised to contact the Chinese Embassy in Fiji for more information. When asked “Why the Chinese Embassy?” the Inspector replied, “Because the Chinese Embassy in Fiji brought them to us.” This is despite advice from the Fiji Human Rights Commission for this incident that Fiji is a free country which respects freedom of belief and that they should have no problems with the authorities.
Portesters see the laws as a threat to the press freedom and individual liberties Hong Kong enjoys.
Supporters of the Falun Gong movement will stage a mock trial of former
Chinese president Jiang Zemin in Brisbane tomorrow.
Practitioners from southeast Queensland, held a rally against Article 23 and a public mock trial of former Chinese President in front of Town Hall in Brisbane.
For example, Hong Kong could decide to suddenly ban groups, such as the
Falun Gong, which is allowed to exist in the city but is outlawed on the
mainland.
