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Following is the statement (English part) by the Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee Hwa, on public consultation on legislation under Article 23 of the Basic Law at the Central Government Offices today (September 24):
Chief Executive: Today the Executive Council has decided that the consultation document on the proposals to implement Article 23 of the Basic Law be issued for public consultation. The consultation document was drawn up after detailed study and taking into account views expressed by different sectors of the community. In other words, it is a thoroughly well-considered document.
Article 23 of the Basic Law stipulates that the HKSAR shall enact laws on its own to protect national security. It is thus our duty to proceed with the enactment of the legislation. In fact, it is the community's collective duty to protect national security. In this regard, I wish to stress that the fulfilment of our duty to protect national security is the foundation for our successful implementation of " One Country, Two Systems".
What we are proposing is to enact law on the basis of the existing legislation and the common law system. The proposals are fully consistent with the Basic Law, the Human Rights Ordinance and the two international covenants (ICCPR) (ICESCR) as applied to Hong Kong.
I wish to emphasize our proposals would not undermine, would not undermine in any way, the existing human rights, civil liberties enjoyed by the people of Hong Kong. Nor would our existing way of life be affected in any way. Human rights and civil liberties are the pillars of our success. I will protect them. In drawing up our proposals for the legislation, we have in fact compared them with similar laws in many western countries. I find our proposals both liberal and reasonable.
This afternoon, our Secretary for Security, Mrs Ip and colleagues from the Department of Justice will be holding a news conference to explain in greater detail about our proposals. I encourage the public to speak up on this consultation. Thank you very much.
End/Tuesday, September 24, 2002
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