Letter to Donald Tsang
Chief Executive
Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong
People’s Republic of China
Jan 2nd, 2006
Dear Mr. Tsang,
International Appeal of Politicians for the Release of MC6 Protestors in Hong Kong
We would like to express our concern for the 14 protestors from Korea, Taiwan, Japan, and mainland China, who are facing charges of unlawful assembly for the events that transpired on the 17th of December near the vicinity of the WTO Ministerial Conference site. All have been released on bail, but it is our understanding that they may be facing more serious charges in the near future.
The farmers, workers, and civil society activists involved in the actions of the 17th were among more than 1000 people understandably questioning the on-going negotiations within the conference site. These negotiations could potentially have had dire consequences on the livelihood of farmers and workers around the world. The protestors were attempting to voice their frustration and desperation at yet another round of the WTO conference that yielded no measures to address their concerns. We strongly feel that the unusual circumstances and specific nature of the case regarding the 14 activists needs to be taken into account, and request that a release at the earliest possible time and safe return home for the all those being held in Hong Kong be positively considered.
In addition, we must voice our serious concern at the uncalled for and excessive use of force by the Hong Kong Police during the night of the 17th. Many were injured, as electric shock batons were used, and it has been recently confirmed that °Æbeanbag pellets°Ø were fired at the protestors. We also note with disappointment the numerous instances of human rights violations during the process of detaining over 1000 protestors that have been documented by human rights organizations. We urge an impartial and thorough inquiry into the human rights violations and the violence used on the part of the Hong Kong police.
As concerned politicians regarding this matter, we would like to point out that a failure to properly investigate and rectify human rights violations would reflect negatively on the human rights standards of the Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong. A harsh sentence for the 14 would also put into question the democratic tolerance of the region, taking into account that no foreigners have been arrested in previous cases of similar demonstrations in other countries.
We will continue to monitor closely the proceedings regarding the 14 protestors and again stress our hope that an early and safe release of the 14 activists be positively considered.
We thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.
Sincerely,
Kwon Young Ghil, Member of the National Assembly, DLP President, Korea
Dan Byung Ho, Member of the National Assembly, Korea
Chun Young Se, Member of the National Assembly, DLP Parliamentary Group Leader, Korea
Sim Sang Jung, Member of the National Assembly, Korea
Choi Soon Young, Member of the National Assembly, Korea
Lee Young Soon, Member of the National Assembly, Korea
Kang Ki Kab, Member of the National Assembly, Korea
Hyun Ae Jah, Member of the National Assembly, Korea
Roh Hoe Chan, Member of the National Assembly, Korea
Luisa Morgantini; Member of the European Parliament for the European United Left (GUE/NGL); Italy;
President of the Committee for Development and Co-operation of the European Parliament
Caroline Lucas, Member of the European Parliament for the GREENS-ALE, UK. Member of the International Trade Committee of the European Parliament
Dirk Van der Maelen , representative to the National Parliament for SP.A, Belgium
Hemuth Markov, Member of the European Parliament for the European United Left group (GUE/NGL) , Germany. Member of the International Trade Committee of the European Parliament
Jacky Henin, Member of the European Parliament for European United Left group (GUE/NGL), France. Member of the International Trade Committee of the European Parliament
Gabi Zimmer, Member of the European Parliament for European United Left group (GUE/NGL), Germany. Member of the Committee for Development and Co-operation of the European Parliament
Vittorio Agnoletto, Member of the European Parliament for European United Left group (GUE/NGL), Italy,. Member of the Subcommittee for Human Rights of the European Parliament
Umberto Guidoni, Member of the European Parliament for European United Left group (GUE/NGL), Italy
Eva-Britt Svensson, Member of the European Parliament for European United Left group (GUE/NGL), Sweden
Harlem Désir, Member of the European Parliament for the PSE , France. Member of the International Trade Committee of the European Parliament
Rep. Mario “Mayong” Joyo Aguja, Akbayan; Citizen’s Action Party, Member, House of Philippines
Nadir Aziz, on behalf of the Labour Party of Pakistan, Pakistan
Jean-Claude Lefort, Representative to the National Assembly; PCF, France
Noël Mamère, Representative to the National Assembly, Les Verts, France
Jean Dessessard; Member of the Senate, Les Verts, France
Javier Diez Canseco, on behalf of the Socialist Party of Peru
Jim McIlroy on behalf of The Democratic Socialist Perspective (DSP ), Australia
Hon. Francesco Martone, senator, secretary of the Human Rights Committee of the Italian Senate
Jaime Caycedo, on behalf of the Communist Party of Colombia
Chantal Delmas, local representative, PCF, France
PK Murthy, All India Federation of Trade Unions, India
Brahim Oubaha; national secretary, on behalf of Attac-Marocco
Dita Indah Sari, Chairperson of People’s Democratic Party (PRD), Indonesia
Zely Ariane, International Officer of People’s Democratic Party (PRD) , Indonesia
Katarina Pujiastuti, International Officer of National Front of Indonesian Labour Struggle (FNPBI), Indonesia
Donni Pradana, Chairperson of National Peasant Union (STN), Indonesia
Iwan Dwi Laksono, Chairperson of National Student League for Democracy (LMND), Indonesia
Marlo Sitompul, Chairperson of Union of the Urban Poor (SRMK), Indonesia
CPI-ML (Liberation), India
Australian Democratic Socialist Perspective (DSP)
Olivier Besancenot, Spokesperson, Ligue communiste révolutionnaire (LCR), France
Alain Krivine, Former Member of the European Parliament, Spokesperson, Ligue communiste révolutionnaire (LCR), France
Roseline Vachetta, Former Member of the European Parliament, Spokesperson, Ligue communiste révolutionnaire (LCR), France
Proposing Organizations:
Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions(HKCTU)
Hong Kong People’s Alliance on WTO(HKPA)
Korean Struggle Mission(Democratic Labor Party, Korean Catholic
armers’ Association, Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, Korean Peasants’ League
Please send all signatory info(name, position, organizations) to:
inter kdlp.org
joonbeom hotmail.com
and antiwto2005 naver.com