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The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:
The Legislative Council will hold a meeting this Wednesday (June 29) at 11am in the Chamber of the Legislative Council Building. During the meeting, Members will debate a motion on the proposal on the constitutional reform in Hong Kong.
The motion, to be moved by Hon Leung Kwok-hung, states: "That on July 1, 2003, over 500 000 Hong Kong people took to the streets in protest, demanding the implementation of dual universal suffrage and opposing the enactment of legislation to implement Article 23 of the Basic Law; since then, the aforesaid public view has remained unchanged, and was manifested in the several Legislative Council elections held in the past; in this connection, this Council urges the Government to enact legislation on referendum and conduct a referendum on the proposal on constitutional reform in Hong Kong, so as to realise the principle of a high degree of autonomy for Hong Kong people, allow Hong Kong people to decide whether to enact legislation to implement Article 23 of the Basic Law and on the selection of the Chief Executive and the election of all Legislative Council Members by universal suffrage in 2012, fully comply with the relevant requirements of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights of the United Nations, and return the political power to the people."
Members will debate another motion on the 20th anniversary of implementing the Hong Kong Bill of Rights Ordinance. The motion, to be moved by Hon Emily Lau, says: "That the fact that Hong Kong is a city in the People's Republic of China which has greater freedom as well as a higher respect for the rule of law and human rights is directly related to the implementation of the Hong Kong Bill of Rights Ordinance (HKBORO) for 20 years, because under HKBORO, most of the human rights safeguarded by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights are brought within the ambit of local legislation; in this connection, this Council urges the authorities to firmly uphold the principles of respecting the rule of law and protecting human rights, take the opportunity presented by the 20th anniversary of implementing HKBORO to promote human rights education and enhance the public's understanding of HKBORO, and to establish a dedicated committee for promoting human rights education, so as to enhance the effects that can be achieved by HKBORO."
Dr Hon Philip Wong will move an amendment to Hon Emily Lau's motion.
On bills, the Securities and Futures (Amendment) Bill 2011 will be introduced into the Council for First and Second Reading. Debate on the Bill will be adjourned. Members will also resume Second Reading debates on the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing (Financial Institutions) Bill, the Buildings (Amendment) Bill 2010 and the Communications Authority Bill. If the Bills are supported by Members and receive their Second Readings, they will then go through the Committee Stage and be read the Third time.
In addition, the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury will move a resolution under the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Ordinance to seek the Council's approval to the Mandatory Provident Fund Schemes Ordinance (Amendment of Schedule 2) Notice 2011, made by the Chief Executive in Council on June 14, 2011.
During the meeting, Members will also ask the Administration 19 questions on various policy areas, five of which require oral replies.
The agenda of the above meeting can be obtained via the LegCo InfoFax Service (Tel: 2869 9568) or the LegCo website(www.legco.gov.hk). Please note that the agenda is subject to change, and the latest information about the agenda could be found in the LegCo website.
Members of the public are welcome to observe the proceedings of the meeting from the public galleries of the LegCo Chamber. They may reserve seats by calling 2869 9399 during office hours. Seats will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. Members of the public can also watch the meeting via the web broadcast system on the LegCo website.
Ends/Monday, June 27, 2011
Issued at HKT 16:53
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