November 6, 2002

HONG KONG - A Hong Kong rights group kicked off a lobbying campaign on Wednesday urging the international community to pressure the local government to drop controversial plans for an anti-subversion law.

China is pushing Hong Kong to enact the legislation, which Beijing believes is vital to its national security, but human rights groups fear it will become a powerful weapon which could be used against anyone who criticizes China or its leaders.

The Hong Kong Human Rights Monitor said on Wednesday it would send a letter to the United Nations Human Rights Committee in Geneva challenging the proposed law, which it says will endanger basic freedoms.

Representatives from the rights group will also hold talks with British and European Commission officials later in the month.

"These proposals represent the end of Hong Kong as a free society and the creation of a repressive state where people are punished for their beliefs," Human Rights Monitor director Law Yuk-kai told Reuters.

"These proposals are shameful and should be withdrawn."

Concerned that Hong Kong could be used as a base from which to subvert the mainland, Beijing has pressured the territory in recent months to get on with drafting the legislation.

Hong Kong is required to pass some form of anti-subversion law under its constitution, which was agreed between former colonial master Britain and China before the territory reverted to Chinese rule in 1997.

The Hong Kong government unveiled a consultation paper on the bill in September, and hopes to pass it into law by July.

But the proposed legislation has drawn heavy criticism since a consultation paper was unveiled in late September. Most groups say the wording of the proposal is too vague and would give authorities too much power.

Pro-democracy and human rights groups have staged regular protests and signature campaigns against the legislation. Public consultation on the proposals will close just before Christmas.

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