04/08/2003

STRASBOURG, France (AP)--The European Parliament expressed "serious concern" Tuesday that a proposed anti-subversion law in Hong Kong will curb civil liberties there.

In passing its fourth annual review on two former European colonies - Hong Kong and Macau - the 626-member E.U. assembly questioned China's commitment to uphold democratic values.

The anti-subversion bill has been under debate in Hong Kong's legislature since February. Critics say it will threaten freedoms left over from British colonial days before Hong Kong reverted to Chinese rule in 1997.

[...]

The E.U. assembly said it had "serious concern with regard to several aspects of the proposed...legislation," particularly the banning of organizations like the Falun Gong spiritual movement which is already outlawed in mainland China.

It added that the bill "must not undermine existing human rights and civil and religious liberties."

[...]

The E.U. assembly further called on Hong Kong authorities to set up a "statutory" human rights commission to "ensure an effective balance between this (anti-subversive) legislation and respect for fundamental human rights."

On Macau, the former Portuguese territory which reverted to Chinese rule Dec. 2, 1999, the parliament said it expected recent legislative elections would promote democratic reforms.

It said that overall, the situation in Macau "is evolving in a satisfactory way," but noted that more links with the E.U., on developing democratic reforms were needed.

The European Parliament and the E.U.'s executive Commission issue annual reports on the status of relations between it and the two former colonies under agreements with China.