I got this message on my facebook wall from Jeff Tsui but shortly after that there was a strange virus attack in my facebook, so I decided to translate what Jeff wrote so the world can decide for themselves why this message would be attacked by a virus from China? Enjoy. Cecilia.W.Yu 余詠詩

Dear Friends

Long time no hear, Hope you are well.  I am writing this letter to you because  the Hong kong non-elected section of the Government has introduced a so-called “replacement system” that will enable Un-elected candidates on the Legislative council to be replaced by other Beijing appointed un-elected future candidates.  Under this new legislation, any Elected  Legislative Council and District Council Members for any reason there could not complete a term, will lose his/her voters’ elected seat in the Senate and there will be no mechanism to replace him/her  in Legco through democratic appointment methods set out in the Basic Law of Hong kong.  I think this is a serious distortion of the Intention of the ordinary voters like you and I!

In three attempts,  Counsel to the Union has  issued an open letter stating that “replacement mechanism” is a serious distortion of the spirit of democratic elections, and a violation of our Basic Law. But the Government has not listened.  Without any public consultation, and without any due prior notification to  the Legislative Council, these changes will be pushed  through in July 2011.

The Government’s new  strategy, without proper Legal constitutional consultation by professional bodies,  is a  distortion of  basic civil rights  that protects public interests. If we do not fight this, we will have our rights taken away!  We must  issue a resounding  opposition for the sake of  protecting future  public interest!

The current Top-down government policy  is ILLEGAL. Please do not remain silent! Please do not let such draconian laws prevail!  So-called experts using legal contrition will tell you that this particular “preferred interpretation” of the law is permissible. But the legal process based in Common Law also have a tradition of balancing  legal  mechanisms with  the common sense of a reasonable person! There is not a single government on earth, whether democratic or authoritarian, who is not afraid of the Angar of the people. Whether they respond to such public outcries or not, depends on the noise we make to assert our rights!

This year’s July demonstration is no less important than the giant crowds which gathered in 2003, to protest the arrogance and outrageous attempts at over-turning  Article 23 of Basic law. In the past,  Mrs Ip had to retract her stance.

Friends, do you really want to be oppressed like this? If you don’t come out and express your disapproval on the 11th July this year, we may lose the right to do so in the future! Step up and fight for democracy! The Head of Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Mr Stephen Lam in Hong Kong, has arrogantly over-stepped  the mandate of the people, how can we be silent?

Last time this happened, we successfully defended Article 23 by demonstrating on the 1st July 2003, we worked together! We embarrassed Tung Chee Hwa, the Beijing appointed Chief executives of Hong kong. Now 2011, Mr Ye Liu  needs to resign!

Come to Victoria Park and voice your concerns on, July 1 2011!  Tell the government and the SCA, we are not Happy! We cannot support such lawlessness with our silence! We cannot allow such wrongs to prevail!

Please pass this on, send it to your friends!

Jeff Tsui

香港人，七一行出來！