Honorable Sir David Wilson, 24 of Hong Kong citizens were severely beat- We are concerned to learn that a number International Viewpoint #75 • December 11, en up, arrested and charged by the Hong Kong police while taking part in a demonstration outside the venue of the National day reception of the New China News Agency on September 29, 1989.
We are further appalled that this incident was cited by your political advisor Mr. M. G. Ehrman as an example to show that your government has no intention of allowing Hong Kong to be used as "a base for subversive activities against the People's Republic of China"
We believe that every person has a right to express his/her opinions albeit political, by means of peaceful demonstration. The fact that your police force blocked the demonstrators, beat them up and charged them caused us great concern for the present and future state of human rights in Hong Kong. For the above reasons we call on your government:
1. To drop all the charges against the seven members of the April Fifth Action Group for their participation in the September 29 demonstration;
2. To give compensation for the injuries inflicted by police brutality on April Fifth Action Group members and take action against the police officers responsible for the brutal acts;
3. To repeal all clauses in the Public Order Ordinance that contravene the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. *
STOP PRESS
Soviet Union