Free speech stifled, say Hong Kong groups

Clinton's speech ends the three-day forum in Hong Kong

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By Staff and wire reports

HONG KONG, China -- Critics say Hong Kong authorities stifled free speech and targeted the Falun Gong meditation sect during a large economic conference.

The Falun Gong says about 100 overseas practitioners were barred entry to Hong Kong during the Fortune Global Forum.

People project footage of police scuffling with demonstrators during the Forum

Three other demonstrators have been ordered to appear in a magistrate's court on charges of obstructing police.

The authorities have also issued a statement condemning a lawyer for helping one of the arrested activists give a live radio interview Wednesday. The live interview was cut short when police barged in on the man.

The three charged demonstrators, aged 32, 41, and 44, were released on bail of $128 each after being charged with affray and injuring police officers.

Outside the courthouse, supporters taped blank sheets of paper to the wall, forming a makeshift movie screen that they used to project footage of police officers scuffling with demonstrators.

demonstrations

The three-day Fortune Global Forum was intended to lure more business to Hong Kong with chief executives hearing from dignitaries including former U.S. President Bill Clintonand China premier Jiang Zemin, whose appearance Tuesday drew numerous protests from Falun Gong, pro-democacy activists and others.

3,000 police are deployed. Police say over 3,000 people participated in the protest

But police had only allowed 20 demonstrators from each group in an official protest zone some 300 meters away from the venue. Other approved protest locations were also far from the dignitaries.

Critics charge that authorities overreacted and compromised the free speech rights that were left in place when Britain returned the former colony to China in July 1997.

Hong Kong Police said 3,040 people participated in 23 demonstrations on May 8, the opening day of the forum.

Lawyer condemned

Lawyer Andrew Cheng allegedly helped local activist Sunny Leung Chun-wai get a mobile phone into the toilet of a hospital where Leung was being treated for wounds after he was arrested.

Andrew Cheung is also a pro-democracy legislator

Police cut Leung off the air, then issued a statement attacking Cheng's actions.

Local media reported Leung's last words were: "Help -- they are hitting me again," before the line went dead over the radio.

Police Chief Superintendent Wong Doon-yee said authorities needed to "control" Leung's contact with other people "to ensure that the investigation and administration of justice are not compromised."

"Mr. Cheng's move to arrange his client to be interviewed by the radio in these circumstances without the permission from the officer in charge of the case undermines both aspects," Wong said, adding that police want to know "whether Mr. Cheng has breached the position of trust he was in as a legal representative."

Cheng told reporters the police case sounded like "a guilty party making an accusation first."

Undesirable elements

Much attention was focused on Falun Gong, the spiritual group outlawed as an "evil cult" in mainland China, where authorities fear its organizational power threatened the Communist Party.

Falun Gong remains legal in Hong Kong, but pro-Beijing groups are furious at local demonstrations against Chinese suppression.

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Falun Gong has complained that the Hong Kong immigration authorities blocked more than 100 people from entering to protest during the conference.

At least two foreign consulates, the United States and Britain, have asked for explanations as to why some of their citizens were not allowed to visit.

Hong Kong's No. 2 official Donald Tsang said about 50 people are denied entry everyday. The territory keeps out "certain undesirable elements" but said he is not referring to Falun Gong.

About 30 Falun Gong followers stage their final meditation exercise as part of a series of protests urging Jiang relax a mainland crackdown on the spiritual group.

Reuters contributed to this report.

Jiang tells Clinton of commitment to U.S. ties
May 9, 2001
Groups protest as Fortune Forum unveils in Hong Kong
May 8, 2001

Fortune Global Forum
Hong Kong Government

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