China urged by lawmaker to honor Olympic human rights promises

Jun 1, 2008, 4:33 GMT

Hong Kong - A prominent Hong Kong legislator Sunday called on China to honor its promise to improve human rights and develop democracy in the run-up to the Beijing Olympics.

Pro-democracy legislator Emily Lau said China had so far failed to live up to the promises it made when it was awarded the Olympic Games in 2001 and claimed human rights had in fact worsened.

In an address on government-run radio station RTHK, she called on people to use the June 4 candlelight vigil in Hong Kong marking the 19th anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre to show their support for a free and democratic China.

'When the Chinese government made a bid to host the Olympics in 2001, it gave an undertaking that it would enhance human rights and develop democracy,' Lau said.

'Repression of minority groups, including Tibetans, continues. Furthermore, torture of detainees and prisoners remains prevalent. Millions of people have no access to justice and are forced to seek redress through an ineffective extra-legal petition system.'

Tens of thousands of people are expected to take part in the candlelight vigil in Hong Kong's Victoria Park on Wednesday, the only place on Chinese soil where the 1989 massacre is publicly commemorated.

Hong Kong, a former British colony, reverted to Chinese sovereignty in 1997 but with guarantees that free speech and freedom of expression would be preserved under Beijing rule.