We strongly denounce the arbitrary, unlawful and unconstitutional decision of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government to bar Agnes Chow Ting from running as a candidate in the Hong Kong Legislative Council by-election on the basis of her political opinion and political affiliation. This decision has violated the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) to which Hong Kong is a signatory. To comply with Article 26 of the Basic Law and Article 21 of the Hong Kong Bill of Rights, the HKSAR Government should immediately restore Agnes Chow Ting’s right and opportunity as a permanent resident to stand for election without unreasonable restrictions.
The HKSAR Government repeatedly refers to the Basic Law as the constitutional basis for “One Country Two Systems” in Hong Kong, but in this decision it ignores the fact that the right of Hong Kong permanent residents to run for election is safeguarded by the Basic Law. It undermines the Hong Kong people’s trust in the rule of law and the HKSAR Government itself. The Chief Executive Carrie Lam has expressed her determination to diminish social division. However the disqualification of Chow’s right to stand for election which denies the free choice of Hong Kong voters will only aggravate division in society. How can Hong Kong people trust the Chief Executive’s sincerity and accountability to Hong Kong people?
As global citizens who cherish human rights, democracy, rule of law and freedoms, we consider the protection of civil and political rights, and open and fair election to be vital to any open and free society. It is also a vital component of the “One Country Two Systems” principle based upon which international community endorsed the Sino-British Joint Declaration. We firmly stand by the Hong Kong people and demand the HKSAR Government restore Agnes Chow Ting’s right to stand for election!
我們強烈譴責香港特區政府以言論及政治聯繫理由,不合理丶不合法丶和不合憲地褫奪了周庭在立法會補選的參選權。這決定違反了香港有份簽署的國際公民及政治權利公約(ICCPR)的精神。我們要求香港特區政府在基本法第26條和香港人權法案第21條的基礎上,立刻恢復周庭作為香港永久性居民,在不受無理限制下享有在選舉中被選的公民權利及機會。
香港政府不斷強調基本法作為香港一國兩制的憲法基礎,但是在周庭的選舉權的決定中,卻公然無視基本法賦予香港居民的基本選舉權利。這樣做只會削弱港人對法治和香港政府的信心。特首林鄭月娥曾決志要修補香港社會的撕裂。而剝奪周庭的選舉權及選民意願的自由表達,只會適得其反地進一步加深香港的撕裂。港人又如何能相信特首的誠意和對港人的承擔?
作為珍視人權丶民主丶法治和自由的國際公民,我們認為維護公民政治權利及公開公平選舉是任何開放自由社會的重要展示,也是當初國際社會肯定中英聯合聲明中一國兩制的重要內涵。我們堅決與香港人民站在一起,要求香港特區政府立刻恢復周庭的參選資格!
Signatories of Joint Statement 聯署團體:
Australia-Hong Kong Link 澳港聯 (Australia
Canada-Hong Kong Link 港加聯 (Canada)
D4HK (UK)
Federation of Overseas Hong Kong Chinese, Washington DC
華盛顿海外香港華人聯會 (USA)
Friends of Hong Kong and Macau of Boston 波士頓港澳之友社 (USA)
Hong Kong Forum Los Angeles 洛杉磯香港論壇 (USA)
Movement for Democracy in China (Calgary) 卡城中國民主促進會 (Canada)
Northern California Hong Kong Club 北加州香港會 (USA)
NY4HK (USA)
Toronto Association for Democracy in China 多倫多支持中國民運會 (Canada)
Vancouver Hong Kong Forum Society 溫哥華香港協進會 (Canada)
Vancouver Society in Support of Democratic Movement 溫哥華支援民主運動聯合會 (Canada)