PSPD in English Int. Solidarity 2020-06-01   2094

[Joint Statement] We condemn the enactment of the National Security Law of HK

We condemn the enactment of the National Security Law, which seeks to wipe out even the basic freedoms and human rights of Hong Kong citizens.

The Chinese government must repeal the National Security Law and ensure the One country Two systems!

 

On 28 May 2020, the National People’s Congress of China passed the National Security Law, which applies to Hong Kong. Chinese government’s introduction of the National Security Law to Hongkong is wrong from its procedure. According to Article 23 of the Basic Law, enacted in 1997 after the return of Hong Kong sovereignty, it is stipulated that the Hong Kong government has the authority to establish the National Security Law and related matters. That is, the fact that the Chinese Government enacted the National Security Law is itself a denial and violation of Hong Kong Basic Law.

 

Chinese government included the National Security Law in Annex III of the Hong Kong Basic law, which is also the violation of the Basic Law since it only addresses matters outside of Hong kong’s autonomy including national defense, diplomacy, and etc. As such, the Chinese government’s attempt to directly enact the national security law, though they know that it is clearly against the Hong Kong Basic Law, is of great concern in that it spoils its ‘one country two systems’ from the basis. From March 2019 to nowadays, citizens of Hong Kong protest against the extradition law have consistently called for their 5 demands, observing the merciless police violence and Hongkong government ignoring the voice of citizens.

 

The fact that these 5 demands are a common idea of Hong Kong citizens is shown by the unprecedented win of pro-democratic camp in November 2019, District Council elections. However, the Hong Kong government didn’t accept the citizen’s opinion, arrested 14 pro-democratic leaders last April during the COVID-19 pandemic and in May, they are trying to put the Hong Kong citizens in silence more actively. They enforced the Hong Kong citizens to submit to them rather than listening to their opinion to the point where they have come up with National Security Law to take away their basic human rights and freedom.

 

The National Security Law allows the China government to establish national security organs to “prevent, ban and punish the activities that are dangerous for national security.” Also, it rejects the intervention of foreign power. Now, Hong Kong citizens should live in fear that attending the protest to condemn the government or posting on the SNS can be punished. Hong Kong Civil Society Organizations and labor unions can be punished by only interacting with foreign civil society. The law has the main traits of National Security Law that sabotaged citizens’ freedom and rights in numerous countries including South Korea and took democracy back. If this law is enforced, the Hong Kong legislative elections which will be held in September will lose its meaning. It is because the government can dismiss the lawmakers who criticize the government based on National Security Law.

 

South Korea’s civil society, which has been allied for democracy and human rights in Hong Kong, strongly condemns the Chinese government’s direct passage of the National Security Law, which ignores Hong Kong’s basic law and oppresses Hong Kong citizens’ human rights. We are ashamed that South Korea still fails to abolish the National Security Law in South Korea, even though it knows how much it harms democracy and human rights in our society.

 

The National Security Law, which suppresses citizens for reasons of national security, is a matter of dignity and conscience that all mankind must protect together. Korean civil society is determined to fight and band together against the oppression and violence that will be inflicted on Hong Kong citizens starting with the implementation of the National Security Law, and we specifically call on:

 

  • The Chinese government should abolish the Hong Kong National Security Law and respect the Hong Kong Basic Law.
  • The Chinese government guarantees a “One country, two systems” principle to grant Hong Kong high autonomy and complies with international human rights standards.
  • The Hong Kong government should accept the five demands and stops the violent suppression of protesters.
  • As a member of the Human Rights Council, the South Korean government should express its’ opposition to the introduction of Hong Kong’s National Security Law and abolish Korea’s National Security Law.
  • The international community, including the UN, should take joint action against the introduction of the Hong Kong National Security Law against the International Covenants on Human Rights.

 

June 1, 2020.

Signatory from Organizations(49 organizations)

518now

Activists group for Human Rights ‘BARAM’

Asian Dignity Initiative

Catholic Human Right’s Committee

Changdam Publishers

CitizenActionforGyungui-commons

Dasan Human Rights Center

Dialogue China 对话中国

Green Party Seoul

Gwangju Hong Kong solidarity committee

Hanwoory church

Hong Kong Protest Lennon Wall in South Korea

Human Rights Movement Space ‘Hwal’

IN-GAN-SA-RANG

Insoonism Comix

Institute of Universal Politics

Justice Party-Geonggido Party-Teenager Union

Justice Party Seoul Student Committee

Korean House for International Solidarity

Korean Institute of Law & Human Rights in Society

Korean Progressive Network ‘Jinbonet’

KwangHwaMoon TV

Migrant workers movement supporters group

Migrants Center Friend

MINBYUN – Lawyers for a Democratic Society International Solidarity Committee

NANCEN Refugee Rights Center

NanumMunhwa

National Council of YMCAs of Korea

NCCK Human Rights Center

Palestine Peace and Solidarity in South Korea

Pax Christi Korea

PeaceGround

People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy (PSPD)

People, not Profit

Platform C

Society of International Solidarity in Justice Party

Solidarity for Another World

Solidarity for LGBT Human Rights of Korea

Solidarity for peace & human rights

studio daal

The People’s Solidarity for Korea Youth Policy

Younggreens

Youth Committee of the Suwon City Committee of the Justice Party

Gwangju Conference on Human Rights (Siloam People, Gwangju Welfare Sympathy Plus, Gwangju Human Rights Keeper ‘Hwal-Jjak’, Gwangju Citizens’ Community for Society without Academic Clique)

 

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