I remain very concerned by the Hong Kong authorities’ unprecedented rejection of a visa for senior British journalist Victor Mallet. In the absence of an explanation from the authorities we can only conclude that this move is politically motivated.
This undermines Hong Kong’s freedom of speech and freedom of the press, both guaranteed by the Joint Declaration, and the Basic Law, and increases the pressure on the ‘One Country, Two Systems’ framework.
I urge the Hong Kong authorities to reconsider this decision. Confidence in Hong Kong’s rights and freedoms is an essential component of its future success.
兩個月前,特區政府與中國政府先後譴責外國記者會邀請香港民族黨陳浩天發表演講,外國記者會副主席馬凱是當日的主持人。侯俊偉補充,今次事件對香港的言論和新聞自由造成破壞,兩者均受中英聯合聲明及基本法保障,事件亦為一國兩制造成壓力。
侯俊偉促請特區政府重新考慮今次決定,指香港的權利與自由是城市邁向成功的重要基石。