Twenty years after the 1997 handover of Hong Kong to the People’s Republic of China, there are serious concerns about viability of the “one country, two systems” model in light of Beijing’s unprecedented encroachments in recent years. The late 2015 disappearances of several Hong Kong-based booksellers sent shockwaves through the territory and the recent election of a new Chief Executive is a reminder that the promise of universal suffrage remains unfulfilled. At the same time there is a continuing erosion of press freedom and growing threats to judicial independence, both vital in any healthy democracy. The Commission will examine the long-term prospects for human rights and basic freedoms in Hong Kong as well as challenges to preserving it’s promised “high degree of autonomy.”
Hearing can be viewed via live Webcast
Witnesses:
The Rt. Hon. Lord Patten of Barnes CH: 28th Governor of Hong Kong, 1992-1997. (Appearing live via video teleconference)
Martin Lee: Barrister, founding Chairman of the Democratic Party of Hong Kong, former Member of the Drafting Committee for the Basic Law, and former Member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong (1985-2008)
Martin Lee: Barrister, founding Chairman of the Democratic Party of Hong Kong, former Member of the Drafting Committee for the Basic Law, and former Member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong (1985-2008)
Joshua Wong: “Umbrella Movement” Leader and Secretary-General, Demosisto
Lam Wing Kee: Founder, Causeway Bay Books, one of five victims of the forced disappearance of Hong Kong bookseller
******Other witnesses may be added