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The stance of the Civic Party on the amendment of the 2012 Constitutional Reform Package
20/06/2010
Today, the HKSAR government announced an amendment of the 2012 Constitutional Reform Package (Package). The following is the stance of the Civic Party (‘CP’):
1. To attain true universal suffrage there are two conditions: i) No pre-selection in the CE Election, and ii) no Functional Constituencies in the LegCo Election. The critical problem of the Political Reform is the abolition of FC, but the new package does not touch on this.
2. CP is deeply concerned that the new package has deviated from the path toward true universal suffrage, and may provide the excuse for FC to remain forever. The Chief Executive Donald Tsang has not kept his promise made during his 2007 election campaign to propose an ultimate political reform package that includes a roadmap and a timetable for universal suffrage. A one step at a time approach means the controversy relating to political reform will recur every 5 years, causing serious rift in society.
3. The election system of LegCo is the internal affairs of the HKSAR government[1]. But it is very clear in the latest discussion on constitutional reform that the whole business is now led by the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR. Last month, the deputy director of the Liaison Office, Li Gang, stated publicly that The Democratic Party proposal contravenes the NPC decision in 2007 and the original intent of Basic Law. Soon after that, other Chinese government representatives, such as the deputy director of the Basic Law Committee of the HKSAR, Elsie Leung, and member of Standing Committee of National People’s Congress, Rita Fan, have echoed Li’s initial view. Even Wong Yan Lung, the Secretary for Justice had previously not disclosed his view on the legality of the Democratic Party’s proposal, until after the Liaison Office changed its position. CP is extremely concerned that the law has been used for political expediency.
4. The Package is of such importance to Hong Kong society that it is unacceptable for the HKSAR government to introduce an amendment three days before the Legislative Council will vote on it. Details such as the nomination for the 5 new LegCo seats or how the latest Package may affect FC are not presented to the public. At the very least, CP believes the government should withdraw the Package and consult the public again on the latest amendment.
The 5 CP legislators will vote against this package and urge the HKSAR government to provide a roadmap for the abolition of the FC and true universal suffrage as soon as possible.