Pro-democracy activists have reacted with scepticism to the fact that a delegation from the One Country, Two Systems Research Institute will give its views on human rights to a United Nations hearing. Albert Ho Chun-yan of the Democratic Party wondered whether it was necessary for a 'pro-government' institute to echo the official view at the Geneva hearings on Monday. Shiu Sin-por, the institute's executive director, announced this week he and former solicitor-general Daniel Fung Wah-kin would travel to Geneva to give their views on human rights. He said they did not want Hong Kong being badmouthed internationally. The institute is headed by Executive Council convenor Leung Chun-ying. A 10-member team of senior officials led by Home Affairs Secretary David Lan Hong-tsung departed for Geneva early this week for the hearing at the Human Rights Commission. Mr Ho, who left for Geneva with other pro-democracy legislators, said: 'There are plenty of officials going to the hearing. I doubt whether they need anyone else to convey their views. It never happened in colonial times.' 'We believe that the Government is afraid that many issues will be criticised by non-governmental organisations [NGOs], and they want people like Daniel Fung to help,' Mr Ho said. Emily Lau Wai-hing of The Frontier said: 'I think the committee members may remember Mr Fung. He has attended their hearings in three different capacities.' Mr Fung had attended the hearings as part of the British Government delegation before the handover and a delegate of the SAR Government after that. Eight NGOs will attend tomorrow's hearing to testify on the Government's record on civil liberties, democracy and rule of law. Other organisations include the Democratic Party, The Frontier, Hong Kong Journalists' Association, the Equal Opportunities Commission, Human Rights Monitor, Justice Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Human Rights Commission. Implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights since the handover is the main issue to be discussed.
