May 6, 2005
THE THIRD CHINA:
Hong Kong reverses Falun Gong convictions (Alyssa Lau, MAY 6, 2005, International Herald Tribune)
In a move that encouraged supporters of judiciary independence from Beijing, Hong Kong's highest court quashed convictions on Thursday of eight members of the Falun Gong spiritual group. The eight had been convicted by a lower court of obstructing and assaulting the police during a protest three years ago against China's decision to ban the group on the mainland.
The Court of Final Appeal in Hong Kong based the decision on constitutional rights to demonstrate and to engage in free speech.
"Those freedoms are at the heart of Hong Kong's system and the courts should give them a generous interpretation," the court said in a summary of its judgment.
Democracy advocates were heartened by the verdict.
"That's good news; it's important to have the court affirmation of these basic human rights and fundamental human rights," said Martin Lee, a lawyer who is the founding chairman of the Democratic Party in the city.
Just keep forcing the contradictions... Posted by Orrin Judd at May 6, 2005 6:29 AM
So it looks af if there are three races going on in the three Chinas right now. Taiwan's in a race to build up its de facto alliances with Japan and the United States before growing pressure forces it to be reunified into a national socialist China run by Communist militarists and kleptocrats. Hong Kong's in a race to make sure it can hold out till its 50 years are up, when the Communists probably won't be around anymore. And China's Communist "leaders" are in a race to steal enough money and have their children get their green cards, so that when their beloved masses come with the ropes to string them up for their crimes and misrule they'll be able to flee to America.
Posted by: X at May 6, 2005 2:19 PMx: as long as they buy in SoCal, i have no complaints :)
Posted by: cjm at May 6, 2005 8:02 PM