On March 13, 1997, two representatives from the Justice and Peace Commission of the Hong Kong Catholic Diocese visited the JCLU secretariat and discussed the situation of human rights in Hong Kong pursuant to its handover to China on July 1, 1997. Ms. Magdalene Li, the Chairperson, and Ms. Mary Yuen, the Executive Secretary, were invited by the Japan Catholic Council for Justice and Peace.

The representatives reported their apprehension regarding human rights problems that might surface after Hong Kong's restoration to China. With the shift in sovereignty, Hong Kong will exist under the Basic Law of Hong Kong. The rights once protected under British rule could be denied by the Chinese government should these rights be in conflict with the Basic Law. In particular, under Article 24 of the new law, the NGOs based in Hong Kong will be prohibited from making contacts with foreign NGOs. Anticipating that their international communication would be halted under the Chinese, various international NGOs have already moved their regional headquarters abroad to Bangkok or elsewhere.

The members of the Hong Kong Justice and Peace Commission also shared current human rights issues with the JCLU, including the abuse of police power, problems surrounding immigrants and refugees, and actions taken for equal opportunity.

The two representatives remarked that they did not know what would happen next but would carry on as before while awaiting future developments. These words make their determination and strength of will readily apparent. The representatives also called for the Japanese people to pay more attention to the future of Hong Kong as fellow Asians working to promote human rights.

The meeting was held with fifteen members from the JCLU Asian Human Rights Committee.