Page 68 - Preservation for the Documentation of Chinese Christianity

Appendix

I. H O N G K O N G C H R IS T IA N C O U N C IL
A Response To The Judgment Handed Down By the Court Of Final Appeal
In the Right of Abode Issue

The Executive Committee of the Hong Kong Christian Council has taken note of the judgement handed
down by the Court of Final Appeal on 10th January 2002 in the right of abode case. In response we want to make
the following points:

(1) We are of the opinion that the judgement of the Court of Final Appeal handed down on 10th January
2002 is the extension of the SAR Government asking the National People's Congress for an interpretation of the
Basic Law. We have no alternative but to accept the judgement and we express our regret.

(2) We re-affirm the position of the Council's statement "Uniting Together for a Future with Love" of 23rd
June 19991. The independence of the judiciary is one of the foundations of our society. We urge Government to
respect and uphold it in all circumstances in the future.

(3) As a Christian body we put high value on the unity of the family. We concur with the International
Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights article 10(1), that "The widest possible protection and assis-
tance should be accorded to the family, which is the natural and fundamental group unit of society.•…"

(4) We urge the Secretary for Security and the Director of Immigration to ensure that information given to
applicants is at all times accurate and consistent with administrative procedures, in order to avoid instances
where oral advice given is disowned later.

(5) We express our deep concern and sympathy to those who suffered in the long legal process and those
who failed to obtain the right of abode in the judgement of 10th January 2002.

(6) We urge everybody to face the judgement with a rational attitude and to renew the spirit of solidarity
and mutual love.

(7) We urge the Chief Executive to consider extending - irrespective of the recent judgement - a special
concession for those who require care or who have family members in Hong Kong who are in need of care.

1"The HKSAR strongly insisted to ask the Standing Committee of the People's Congress for interpreta-
tion of the Basic Law (Article 22 & 24). This act damages the independence and the dignity of the HKSAR
Court of Final Appeal. It severely limits the autonomy and authority of the Hong Kong judiciary system. We
deeply regret this action."

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