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1. Social Concerns
1.1 HKCI's Involvement in NGO Actions and Opposition to the Proposed Article 23 Legislation
The Civil Human Rights Front (CHRF), which includes more than 40 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) from the women, religious, labour, student, racial and sexual minority sectors, etc., as well as members from political parties, was established in September 2002. With the platform provided by the Hong Kong Christian Institute (HKCI), many different NGOs and political parties came together and expressed their demands to the Hong Kong government. One of the major issues of CHRF was its opposition to the Hong Kong government's proposed legislation to implement Article 23 of the Basic Law. From September 2002 onwards, CHRF did a great deal of educational work in secondary schools, universities and in other sectors of the community in order to mobilise people for the demonstration on Dec. 15, 2002, which brought 60,000 people onto the streets in protest.
After the march in December 2002, CHRF deepened its educational work to prepare for another major activity in July 2003 when the legislation was scheduled by the government to be enacted. Educational kits were created and distributed in the secondary schools, and lobbying was done with university student union leaders to hold related programmes and actions among tertiary students. Meanwhile, seminars were held, and pamphlets were produced and distributed in schools and to other community groups. This preparatory work helped lay the foundation for the hugely successful march organised by CHRF on July 1, 2003, when more than 500,000 people voiced their opposition to the content of the Article 23 legislation and the consultation process. This display of people's power pushed the government to postpone the legislation until after the Legislative Council (Legco) election in September 2004.
1.2 HKCI Acts as a Bridge between NGOs and the Church
As a Christian NGO, HKCI was able to provide a link between NGOs and local churches on the Article 23 issue. Like others in the community, churches in Hong Kong asked the government to consult the public based on a white bill, a draft of the legislation. The Hong Kong government, however, ignored the views of the public, including the Church, and submitted a blue bill to Legco that limited public consultation. Both Protestants and Catholics joined hands to hold seminars, sign joint statements and, of course, take part in the two large marches in December and July with ecumenical prayer gatherings held before both demonstrations that attracted thousands of Christians.
1.3 Responding to Human Rights Concerns
For more than 10 years, HKCI has advocated the creation of a Human Rights Commission in Hong Kong to take a more proactive role in providing human rights education and to respond to human rights issues in the community.
HKCI also believes that a diversified approach should be taken to educate people about human rights. Therefore, HKCI has been involved in organising events to mark International Human Rights Day on Dec. 10 every year that have included debates among secondary school students and educational games.
1.4 Promoting a Democratic Government
Article 23 and SARS were two major issues in the past year that highlighted the need for a government that is accountable to the people. The present political system does not meet the needs of the community. A democratic government is a necessity. HKCI has joined with other NGOs to call for the creation of a democratic government in which the chief executive and all Legco members are directly elected by the people.
1.5 Solidarity with the Marginalised
Social issues are closely linked to the political and economic structure. Consequently, HKCI seeks to address the needs of the community's marginalized sectors by challenging the dominating influence of the rich in political and economic decision making and the predominant economic paradigm of globalisation. The government's population policy reflects this bias as people from the mainland with wealth or skills are welcome to live in the community while the right-of-abode seekers, who are primarily from the working class, are not permitted to remain with their families in Hong Kong and are forced to return to the mainland. HKCI's work in this area involves writing to newspapers, holding seminars and taking part in demonstrations as a means to empower those who are marginalized and to express HKCI's solidarity with them.
1.6 Educating the Churches—Publishing Booklets on Poverty
In addition to taking action, HKCI believes that educational work is very vital to changing society. This year HKCI published four booklets: (1) Poverty and Employment, (2) Poverty, Social Welfare and Discrimination Vol. 1, (3) Poverty, Social Welfare and Discrimination Vol. 2 and (4) Religious Reflections on Poverty. These materials have been well received by the churches and schools. They also offer an opportunity for HKCI to consolidate and reflect on its rich experiences in the advocacy process so as to better prepare for the way forward in the future.
Kandy WONG
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